How To Become A UFC Fighter

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There are many fighters in my gym who want to go pro. They want money, fame, and a luxurious lifestyle. There are also many amateur fighters I come across who want to achieve the same goal.

Being around martial arts for a number of years, networking with fighting promotions, and being connected to professional fighters and managers, I always give them sound advice on how to become a UFC Fighter.

Why UFC? Because it has become the gold standard in mixed martial arts fighting. It is the number one MMA fighting promotion in the world, and your goal is to always be the best.

In terms of the ongoing drama with the UFC and fighters pay, I always say you get what you negotiate. End of story.

In this article, I’m going to share with you how to become a UFC fighter. You’re going to learn what it takes, and the process you need to go through to get signed. This is just my opinion and is not considered legal advice.

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What Is Takes To Be A UFC Fighter

So you want to be a UFC fighter? You wanna make money fighting, and be known all around the world as a skilled martial artist? You want to be known as the best fighter in the world?

Well, the only issue is that you have hundreds of thousands of men and women who have the same dream as you.

You need a way to erase them and stand out from the crowd. Your goal is to be unique so that the UFC doesn’t look at you the same as everyone else.

The reason being is that out of all the guys that are the same and have average personalities, the UFC is always going to choose the one that is unique. The guy that is unique and has a personality that stands out will get the contract.

This is because the UFC is looking at his marketability and how it will translate into sales. At the end of the day, the UFC is a business.

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Steps To Take To Become A UFC Fighter

Set Goals and Stick To Them

Your goal is to become a UFC fighter and there are a few steps you need to take to reach there. Your immediate goal should be to start eating right.

You have to change your diet so you can be at or around the weight you want to fight at. Only you can determine what weight class you want to fight in.

Even if you want to fight at heavyweight you have to eat right and work on your cardio or you will not last a round in the UFC. Being a heavyweight doesn’t mean you get to eat poorly.

Measuring Your Success

Have a vision and set a date on when you’d like to achieve things. For example, by this date I want to be at this weight. Or by this date I want to be training with a coach. So on and so forth. Successful people achieve measurable goals within reasonable time.

This is the only way you can tell if you are doing a good job towards achieving your dreams is to measure your accomplishments. You have a set of tasks to complete. These tasks are called your goals. Well, are you accomplishing the goals you set for yourself or are you not?

If you have a goal to go to the gym 4 times a week, have you been doing that? If you have a goal to eat healthy, have you been doing that?

The only way to tell if you’re on the path to success is by accomplishing your goals, and if you’re not, it’s fair to say that you’re not serious about becoming successful.

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Find a Gym and a Reputable Coach

The other thing you want to do is find an MMA gym to train in. A local gym would be a good option for you because it would be more convenient. You will already know if there is an MMA gym near you or not because you drive around your neighborhood every day.

You’re already familiar with the shops, stores, and gyms where you live. If there isn’t an MMA gym close by Google where you can one within short driving distance. If an MMA gym is close by, visit it after work or school. Examine the atmosphere and people inside.

Examine everyone from the person at the front desk, to the people training, the guests, and the instructors. This is important because you want to train in a friendly, welcoming, and easy-going atmosphere. Any chaos will add stress that you don’t need.

If you like what you see inquire more about training there. Ask the person at the front desk if there are coaches currently training fighters to become professionals. Take all the information you can and if there is an opportunity to meet the coach do so.

One thing I always recommend is finding a reputable coach that has experience training fighters that have actually won competitions.

I would look for a coach that has trained fighters to become champions. The reason being is that the coach knows what it takes to bring a fighter from where he is now, to win a championship belt.

Always look up online the information the coach gives you about himself, and the championship fighters he has trained to make sure he’s legit.

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Start Taking Amateur Fights

It’s unrealistic to think that you will go from training in your gym to getting on Dana White’s Contender Series, or his other show Dana White: Looking For A Fight. It’s doesn’t happen that way.

You have to go out and make a name for yourself, and build up some buzz around your name by fighting some amateur bouts.

This is a part of the reason why you have to have an experienced coach that has successfully trained fighters into become champions. The coach will know when the latest competitions are happening and where they are taking place.

These competitions are vital to your success as a fighter because they help you to gauge your skill level among good fighters within your weight class across the country.

Once you build up your skill level and reputation – a buzz will start to build up around you, and representatives from different fighting promotions, including the UFC, will come knocking at your door.

This doesn’t mean that they’ll automatically sign you, it only means they are prepared to allow you to prove yourself in order to get signed!

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Join Social Media To Grow Your Fanbase

In order to become popular and use the buzz you have to your advantage you’re going to have to join social media. Here is a list of social media platforms I recommend

Instagram
Snap Chat
TikTok
Youtube
Twitch (if you’re into gaming)

The social media platform will allow you to expand your brand awareness in order to gain more popularity. This can catch the attention of the UFC and have them approach you with an opportunity.

The key to success on social media is to post content regularly and engage in conversation with those who are following you, and other similar pages related to mixed martial arts.

The content you post should be about you and your fighting journey, clips of you in the gym practicing, and some clips of your fights. You can ass content showing your family and friends but that is optional.

Social media can also be used as a platform to make money. You can post products and services of sponsors and affiliates in the exchange for money. Many celebrities, athletes, musicians, and entertainers make a good living from social media, and you can too!

UFC fighters that earn money from their social media platforms are:

Israel Adesanya
Francis Ngannou
Sean O’Malley
Daniel Cormier
Shael Sonnen
Demetrious Johnson

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How To Train To Be A UFC Fighter

Maintain a Good Amateur Record

Your record as an amateur does not have to be perfect. Perfect as in you have multiple wins and zero losses. You want a record with more wins than loses, and you don’t want your loses to be half your wins or even exceed half your wins. That would be a bad record.

The UFC wants your wins to exceed losses because this shows that you can outclass your opponents and are ready for challenging fighters in the UFC.

Keep in mind that at these events there will be many scouts from the UFC, so always perform at your optimum. Even if you lose put on your best performance.

If you watch Dana White’s: Looking For a Fight he has signed many fighters that have lost a match. His focus is on taking fighters that have potential and turning them into great fighters.

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Connect With UFC Managers

Another great strategy you can use is to connect with managers that are already in the UFC. If you do a quick Google search for UFC managers, a list will pop up.

Your job will be to contact these individuals via email or social media and make a case for why one of them should manage you.

Do not approach these managers aggressively or write them paragraphs through email or in their social media Dms.

They have no time to read all that crap. Don’t be so sensitive, they don’t want to hear about your life story and struggle. It’s not the right time for all that.

I find the best way to approach them is to invite them to your next local fight so they can see your skills up close and personal. Or invite them to lunch or dinner so you can discuss them managing your career.

Take an easygoing approach and see what happens. It has worked for many fighters so try your luck and see if it will happen for you.

Be Consistent In Your Approach

The old adage is very true, that closed mouths don’t get fed. If you truly want to become a UFC fighter you have to be consistent in your pursuit of achieving that goal. if you want it badly enough and you persistent, it will happen.

You also have to be patient and look at things realistically. The UFC at any given time has 500 fighters under contract! This is according to Dana White. You have take that into consideration while chasing this dream.

Consistency is important because it increases your chances of achieving your goals. If you stay ready and are prepared for when the opportunity comes, you’ll achieve success.

Below I’ve posted a video of UFC veteran Shael Sonnen, and how he got an opportunity to fight in the UFC by being consistent in his approach – and being ready when they gave him the chance!

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How To Make It To The UFC (Video)

How Long Does It Take To Become a UFC Fighter?

There is no particular time frame on when you can make it as a UFC fighter. For some it takes 2-3 years, while others it takes much longer. Some who pursue this goal don’t even make it at all.

There’s no secret formula to getting signed to the UFC, but trying these different methods listed above can increase your chances of making it.

This is the ultimate advice on how to become a UFC fighter. I hope you enjoyed it and got insight on how you can start your journey on trying to get signed by the biggest fight promotion in MMA history.

If it all works out for you and you get signed based on my advice, please do send us an email or DM, we’d love to post up a story about your success. Good luck!

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Can Martial Arts Be Self-taught

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Many people who want to get into martial arts often ask Can Martial Arts Be Self-taught? This is actually a great question to ask because people would like to learn martial arts from the comfort of their homes. This article will explain if martial arts can be self-taught and if it is, how one would go about doing so.

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Understanding The Basics of Martial Arts

Martial arts are a system of combat techniques used for fighting and self-defense. People of all ages practice martial arts to build strength, flexibility, and discipline. They can also help people stay healthy by teaching them martial arts moves.

In addition, martial arts competitions occur regularly around the world and feature national and international level fighters.

Can Martial Arts Be Self-taught

Yes, martial arts can be self-taught. Martial arts are self-taught hobbies that people choose to excel in. Most martial arts are initially learned through a class, but people can also learn martial arts on their own.

Thanks to instructional online videos and books, it’s easy to learn martial arts now compared to decades ago. Most people choose to learn martial arts because it’s fun and provides several career benefits.

When learning on your own be sure to have enough space to practice. Also be sure to stretch properly in order to avoid pulling any muscles.

Doing martial arts on your own can allow you to learn from the comfort of your home, but you have to be careful. Although you can teach yourself martial arts through the aid of online videos or books, in order to take your skills to the next level it’s best to join a martial arts class.

An experienced instructor can guide you on your journey to becoming proficient in martial arts. Also, taking classes can allow you to spar with other classmates in order to get a feel of competition, or even a real fight.

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Learning Martial Arts at Home (Video)

How Can You Learn Martial Arts At Home

As mentioned earlier you can learn martial arts at home through online videos, books, and even DVDs – if you still own a DVD player.

Learning martial arts through streaming Youtube videos are by far the most popular way to teach yourself martial arts from the comfort of your home. Below are a list of things to keep in mind when doing martial arts on your own.

Learn from a credible instructor. Research reviews, comments, and the experience of the instructor
Chose an online instructor that is knowledgeable, has experience, and teaches at your learning pace
Learn for free to try out the material. If you need more exclusive training, pay for it within reason
Pace yourself as a beginner. Learn basic moves and master them before advancing
Train in an open space and always remember to stretch before you start any activity.

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Famous Self-taught Martial Artists

There are a number of MMA fighters that are self-taught martial artists. When I mention self-taught I mean that they started their training journey alone, and got to the level where they could hire a professional coach to guide them.

Many fighters start training at home. They do everything from the basic striking moves, blocks, cardio sessions, and shadow boxing. Later when these fighter can afford to go to the gym and hire a coach; they did so.

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Jon Jones
Evan Tanner
Mirko Filipović
Rich Franklin
Bas Rutten
Jim Miller
Roy Nelson
Uriah Hall
Dave Herman
Matthew Riddle
James Thompson
Anderson Silva
Forrest Griffin
Jon Fitch

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Best Martial Arts to Learn at Home

There is no particular best martial arts to learn at home. The best advice would be to choose a martial arts and instructor you are comfortable with. In order to choose the best martial arts suitable for you – you’re going to have to do a bit of research on a number of martial arts.

Pick a martial arts according to your needs. Do you want one that emphasizes more kicks? Or one that is best for women’s self defense? How about one that is more focused on grappling? Ultimately the choice is up to you, only you can answer these questions based on your needs.

It’s okay if hop from one martial arts to another within a few weeks. Many people who register for martial arts tend to do this. All that’s happening is that they are trying to find the right fit for them. This is important because you don’t want to waste your time and money on something that’s not working.

It’s important to choose the best martial arts for you. One that you are comfortable sticking with until you become more proficient at it.

Conclusion

So, can martial arts be self-taught? The answer is yes it can. You can learn martial arts on your own through books and streaming lessons online. When seeking to learn from an instructor make sure that he is knowledgeable and has experience teaching martial arts.

Do proper research on the instructor because some are qualified to instruct, while some are not. When doing martial arts at home be sure to do it in a spacious area and stretch properly to avoid injury.

There are many martial arts to choose from, and the one that you should be training in is the one that you’re most comfortable with, and suits all your needs.

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10 Health Benefits of Martial Arts

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Today we’ll discuss the 10 health benefits of martial arts. Martial arts can help you defend yourself on the streets, but it also has a lot of health benefits as well. So let’s get into it!

Does watching a martial arts movie thrill and relax you? The hand-to-hand combat, sharp reflexes, and smooth movements can be intense and exciting. Did you know it offers so many other benefits besides the thrill of martial arts?

Mixed Martial art is a combat method that suspends logical and analytical functions of the mind and the body, which allows them to interact instantaneously as a unit. In this article, we will discuss ten benefits of this interaction.

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10 Health Benefits of Martial Arts

Trainees benefit physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from mixed martial arts. Through systematic martial arts practice, trainees can improve their physical fitness (strength, stamina, flexibility, speed, movement and coordination). In addition to physical fitness, martial art training contributes to mental health, self-esteem, self-control, and spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

Martial arts keep participants mentally and physically active and instill a sense of ethical achievement during the program. The following are ten martial art benefits regarding health, mind, and health and wellness.

Below are the 10 health benefits to martial arts and keep in mind this is the first post of a two part series. Part two will be released as soon as next week.

Physical Benefits of Martial Arts

1. Muscle Gain and Weight Loss

When you train martial art consistently, you can transform your body completely. Martial arts involve high-intensity workouts and repeated muscular actions that build strength and burn fat quickly. Calorie burning leads to rapid fat and weight loss.

Also, trainees can gain muscle mass and become more toned. Punching and kicking require a lot of strength, requiring your arms, legs, and core muscles to work hard. By increasing your muscle mass and tone, you can boost your metabolism, which can lead to weight loss. Even while resting, your body burns more calories.

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2. Cardiovascular Health

Studies have shown that martial arts practitioners have lower heart rates and blood pressures. A 2018 research shows that 16 weeks of martial arts training drastically lowers cardiovascular disease risk. Studies also show HIIT (high-intensity workouts) improves cardiovascular health.

In HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, the more effort you put in, the greater the demand for oxygen. This results in expanded blood vessels and improved circulation, leading to better cardiovascular health. There are some doctors who recommend mixed martial arts training for specific diseases and conditions, like cardio kickboxing and HIIT training that avoids sparring.

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3. Flexibility, Balance, Agility

Martial arts require a specific dose of flexibility. It depends on the individual; some will need more, while others will need less. Regardless of your choice of martial art, your flexibility will improve. In addition to stretching to avoid injuries, martial arts movements will boost your flexibility.

The more challenging your techniques become, such as strikes, high kicks, or ground attacks, the more flexibility you will need. By being flexible, it will be easier to avoid attacks, and takedown attempts more effectively.

Balance:

Many people found that martial art can improve balance as well. Trainees learn to use their bodies in a whole new way, improving their overall balance, stability, and coordination. Whether you are executing moves or blocking or avoiding attacks, stability and awareness are essential.

Agility:

The martial arts will quickly increase your agility, mobility, and quickness. With practice, your muscles can develop fast-twitch fibers, resulting in explosive power and quick bursts of energy, such as striking, evading, and lateral movement. As you become more adept at handling higher speeds, so will your reflexes. Your reflexes improve as you become more accustomed to combative and other stressful situations.

Mental Health Benefits of Martial Arts

4. Stress Relief

Combat sports can significantly decrease your stress levels. Rather than keeping it inside, you can release it by exercising, punching a bag, exercising, or simply relaxing. A 2019 study suggests that martial arts can reduce anxiety, stress, and tension. Also, a martial art like Tai Chi or Karate emphasizes calmness and meditation, two excellent ways to relieve stress.

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5. Boost Self Confidence and Self-Esteem

If you lack confidence or self-esteem, martial arts can help. Martial arts training will give you new skills that will help you defend yourself. Additionally, you will lose weight and gain muscles, which will help you improve your posture and appearance. Having a positive impression of yourself is a great confidence booster.

Martial arts is known to boost your confidence because it teaches how to have a tough mentality and that builds resilience within you. This resilience can help you overcome tough challenges that you may face in life. Another way martial arts boosts your confidence and self-esteem is its belt rewarding system. When you achieve a higher rank belt than your current one, you feel a sense of accomplishment.

This sense of accomplishment and congratulations from your instructor and fellow practitioners, will lift your confidence and have you walking around proud of yourself. This is how everyone should feel in life, confident and proud of their accomplishments.

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6. Improve Focus, Memory and Peace of Mind

Martial arts can improve one’s ability to concentrate. Even in stressful situations, you will learn how to stay focused. One reason martial arts will help you develop focus is their training methods. This includes mastering a single, repetitive task until it becomes second nature and combining them seamlessly while anticipating your opponent’s every move.

Improve Memory:

Martial arts also enhance your memory. With each repetition of an exercise, your pathways and neural synapses will become stronger. So using your memory will be the key to successfully combining the elements. Muscle memory will also improve as a result. By repeating certain techniques and moves, you will become more proficient and faster at doing them.

Offers Peace and Calm:

Outside spectators often perceive martial art as aggressive or violent. However, most martial art require peace, calm, focus, and compassion instead. For instance, peace of mind is the goal of karate, which explains why spirituality and meditation are so important. The goal is to hinder your opponent quickly without being aggressive. It is better to avoid conflict if you can. Keeping calm in difficult circumstances can prevent many conflicts.

The Social Benefits of Martial Arts

9. Building Character, Social Skills

Martial arts is a great way to build character quickly. Your self-confidence will grow, which will allow you to express yourself more freely. Socializing and interacting with others is easier when you have a strong character or personality. Making friends can be challenging if you are a newcomer to an area and dislike going to bars or clubs.

But when you begin martial art training, you will likely meet people who share your interests, and martial arts can serve as a conversation starter. The great thing about martial art training is that you always know that you’re among people with similar interests since you share a martial art gym. You can improve your social skills by learning how to work and communicate with others.

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10. Protect Yourself On The Streets

Lastly, martial arts help you increase your awareness and the mental presence you have when in social situations. Martial arts training teaches you to pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Eventually, you will be able to apply it to other parts of your life, such as social gatherings and family life. Knowing that you are capable of taking care of yourself when needed will enhance your self-confidence, while also allowing you to be relaxed around others.

As said earlier martial arts can reduce your social anxiety and help with certain mental and physical ineptness you may have. the objective is to get into a martial arts that provide an encouraging environment for you to train in. This will aid you on your journey to experiencing the martial arts benefits it can provide.

Conclusion

Now you know the 10 health benefits of martial arts. Get started by putting yourself on a new performance level today. In no time, martial arts will benefit you physically, mentally, and socially. These ten martial art benefits can help with your over health and wellness.

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Why Are Mixed Martial Arts So Expensive?

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Mixed martial arts is one of the most popular sports in the world. It’s no wonder – it’s a thrilling mix of physicality, strategy, and stamina. But those who want to train in MMA often ask why are mixed martial arts so expensive?

In this article, we’ll explore some of the costs associated with MMA. We’ll also discuss how to avoid these costs, and address how MMA business can go about reducing their prices and still have a thriving business.

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MMA and it’s popularity in the world

MMA is a popular sport in the world, and for a good reason. It is a physically and mentally challenging sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.

It is also a great way to stay fit and healthy, and it offers a variety of training options that are perfect for anyone.

Mixed martial arts is popular for many reasons and has many benefits. MMA is a full-body workout – Unlike some other sports that focus on one area of the body.

Martials arts involves a whole range of movements that work all parts of the body. This makes it a great workout for everyone, no matter their fitness level or athletic ability.

Another reason why martial arts is popular is because of its versatility. You can use it to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and cardio endurance. This makes it an ideal sport for people of all ages and fitness levels.

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Why are mixed martial arts so expensive?

Mixed martial arts are so expensive for many reasons. The full list is below.

Gym space and MMA equipment is expensive

If you are a gym owner you have two options when it comes to your MMA facility. You can purchase the building out right, have contractors build your own gym, or you can lease a vacant spot big enough for you to add equipment into.

Either way the gym owner is going to have to spend a lot of money securing the facility, buying all the needed MMA equipment, hiring the right instructors and admin, and promoting the gym.

The majority of martial arts gym owners lease out the space they are using and their primary costs are the monthly rent and equipment. The standard cost of starting up a gym in North America is $20,000-$65,000.

Some reports online say $10,000-$50,000 but this is not the year 2000. In today’s economy things are more expensive. The monthly lease and the martial arts equipment will definitely be higher.

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Quality equipment costs

When starting up an MMA gym you have to buy good quality equipment. This is for 2 reasons, the first is you want to make a good impression on your members.

If you buy any second hand equipment like punching bags, mitts, and heavy bags etc. who knows how long they will last before they tear down. That’s not a good look for you as a new gym owner.

If you’re a new gym owner you need to buy the latest equipment, and those costs are added in part to membership fees.

Equipment is not something gym owners cheap out on, because the better quality the equipment is, the more likely it is to last longer.

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Less people register to train in MMA

Mixed martial arts has less members than traditional martial arts. The reason being is that people see traditional martial arts systems as more family friendly than MMA.

Also people are more familiar with the traditional martial arts and names such as Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, Wrestling etc.

People stick to what they know and are familiar with and because of it MMA gyms don’t get many registrants. The lack of students force them to increase the membership to compensate for the lack of members.

It’s the same for me and my personal experience. I’ve taken Muay Thai classes in the past and I can tell you it is way more expensive than the boxing I use to take.

It’s even more costly than Shotokan karate, which I currently practice.

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Must have commitment to MMA

In order to have success as an MMA fighter you have to be fully committed to it. What I mean is a lot people who take mixed martial arts do so to become a professional fighter.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s people who take MMA for fitness and to protect themselves in the streets, but I would say 1 in 4 actually want to train in order to make it into a career.

For those who want to pursue mixed martial arts as a career, it’s going to take a lot of sacrifice and long-term commitment.

This commitment is not only by the fighter, but by his coaching team. It takes money to build up a fighter and his career.

You will need the proper coaches, meal plans, atmosphere and training regiment. All of this costs a great amount of money. This is not like training in karate or taekwondo for the Olympics. This is way more intense.

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Less Qualified Instructors

When it comes to teaching MMA there are less qualified instructors capable of doing so. To be a good coach at MMA or anything else for that matter, you have to spend many years developing your skills.

There are a lot of MMA gyms that I’ve visited that don’t have the adequate instructors to accommodate the amount of students enrolled.

To qualify as a mixed martial arts trainer you would need years of experience – 8-10 years would be ideal – have competed in matches (although some haven’t), and obtain certification to be an instructor.

This lets the gym owner know that you’ve put in the proper years and work to be qualified to instruct students.

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Why are BJJ classes so expensive?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a great self defense martial arts, and sport admired by millions of people around the world.

But many people wonder why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so expensive? Brazilian jiu jitsu is expensive because the instructors have spent years perfecting the art and need to be compensated accordingly.

In other words, BJJ instructors are specialists that spent at minimum 10 years trying to earn their black belt. Unlike other forms of martial arts where a person can earn their black belt within four to five years.

Most of your fees go to the head coach, instructors, and maintaining the facility. Again, BJJ is expensive because the expertise of the instructors need to be compensated for the amount of years they put in to becoming proficient at BJJ.

You’re also paying to acquire skills and techniques that take time to learn. It takes longer to become proficient in BJJ than any other form of martial arts because BJJ is very technical.

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If You Train Like an MMA Fighter – You Will Look Like an MMA Fighter.

Yes, this tops the list for most of us. Simply take a glance at Georges St. Pierre, Connor McGregor, or Valentina Shevchenko as the three highest profile examples. The perfect mix of lean muscle and athleticism.

In MMA this type of conditioning is close to the norm, with most amateur fighters getting in nearly as good shape. It’s the type of conditioning that turns heads when you walk by and that you can be proud of when you look at yourself in the mirror. Need to lose weight and pack on lean muscle? MMA style training has you covered

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15 Celebrities Who Train In Martial Arts

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Martial arts are no joke, and these celebrities prove that every day. From actors and athletes to reality TV stars and musicians. These 15 celebrities who train in martial arts take it seriously, and use it to improve their physical and mental condition.

While some of these celebrities are more experienced than others when it comes to martial arts, all of them have successfully combined martial arts training with their other careers. Here are 15 celebrities who train in martial arts.

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Here is the list of the 15 celebrities who train in martial arts

Celebrity Name: Jessica Alba

Occupation: Actor, businesswoman

Type of Martial Arts: Taekwondo and Krav Maga

Training Since: Early 2000’s

Belt Grade: Black belt

She is a successful entrepreneur and actress that is known for her well-maintained physique while being able to kick some butt.

She is a mom of two but still maintains her fitness over the years by working out and training in martial arts.

She is a blackbelt in Taekwondo and was also trained in Krav Maga which she uses in fight scenes that include weapons and hand-to-hand combat.

Jessica’s training includes a lot of striking on mitts and pads together with functional workouts for a well-rounded routine.

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Celebrity Name: Ed O’Neill

Occupation: Actor, comedian, football player

Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Training Since: Around 22 years

Belt Grade: Black belt

A well-renowned actor and football player from the 1940s is also a martial artist who practices Brazilian Jiujitsu. He received his black belt in December 2007 and it was featured in the 2012 TV documentary “I Am Bruce Lee”.

For him, it was the greatest achievement of his life because it was an overwhelming feat of discipline that promotes his health, and physical and mental well-being even in his old age.

Celebrity Name: Katheryn Winnick

Occupation: Actress, stunt double

Type of Martial Arts: Taekwondo and Karate

Training Since: 7 years old

Belt Grade: Black belt

She is a Canadian actress that is known for her roles in the TV series Vikings, Wu Assassins, and Bones. She entered the movie industry by teaching martial arts to actors on the set and eventually became an actress herself.

Some of her family members are martial arts practitioners and that honed her in the sport. She started practicing at the age of 7 and became a black belt at the age of 13 and until now, she is actively practicing for her roles in the film and also to maintain her athletic physique.

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Celebrity Name: Demi Lovato

Occupation: Actor, singer, songwriter

Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Training Since: 2016

Belt Grade: Blue belt

Many people would be surprised that this singer, songwriter, and Grammy nominee is a martial arts practitioner! Demi has been fit all her life and while having an active music career, she chose to be fit in order to last in the industry.

She utilizes healthy living as a form of self-care and she never stops training. She earned her blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2009 and she combines her routine with strength training and a healthy diet.

Celebrity Name: Wiz Khalifa

Occupation: Rapper, singer, and songwriter

Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai

Training Since: May 2017

Belt Grade: White belt

Sprawling In MMA

A well-known controversial rapper Wiz Khalifa trained in Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2017 and later trained in Muay Thai with Saenchai in a YOKKAO seminar. He improved his overall physique by combining heavy lifting and martial arts in his routine.

Martial arts kept his fluidity and while lifting weights improved his physique by adding up muscle mass and definition. All of it helped him a lot to stay in his career by staying healthy and improving his performance.

Celebrity Name: Kevin James

Occupation: Actor, comedian, and screenwriter

Type of Martial Arts: MMA and Muay Thai

Training Since: “Here Comes the Boom” in 2012

Belt Grade: N/A

Doing The Single Leg Sweep From Guard

Kevin James is a funny man who doesn’t really care about fitness, not until he was starred in the movie “Here Comes the Boom” that he realized that he really needed it all his life!

He trained for 14 months and was treated like a fighter in order to get into the physical and mental attributes of a real MMA fighter. He still trains in martial arts after doing the movie as he was an avid fan and he enjoys it.

Celebrity Name: Joe Rogan

Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Television presenter, Podcaster

Type of Martial Arts: Karate, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Training Since: 14 years old

Belt Grade: Black belt

The famous comedian and UFC color commentator is a martial artist himself! He took up Karate at 14 and taekwondo a year later. Martial arts gave him confidence and a different perspective of himself and his capabilities.

He won as a lightweight in the US Open Championship taekwondo tournament and was a full-contact state champion for four years until he became a Taekwondo instructor.

He retired from competition at age 21 but keeps his discipline until now as he is still practicing martial arts to keep his mind sharp while his body in great shape.

Why MMA Is So Popular

Celebrity Name: Henry Cavill

Occupation: Actor

Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Training Since: 2018

Belt Grade: White

Henry Cavill is a fan of martial arts. He’s been doing boxing and weight training to keep him in good shape but then he added up Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to enhance his focus and to have a martial art mastery on his belt.

His training came in handy in his role in Mission: Impossible-Fallout he went toe to toe with the actor Tom Cruise.

Celebrity Name: Wesley Snipes

Occupation: Actor, producer, martial artist

Type of Martial Arts: Capoeira, Shotokan karate

Training Since: 12 years old

Belt Grade: 5th-degree black belt in Shotokan karate

Wesley Snipes was discovered by an agent while competing in martial arts and then he became famous for his role in Demolition Man, Money Train, and then later the iconic vampire superhero Blade.

His martial arts discipline helped him land his role mostly as an antagonist in films because of his menacing looks and skills that seem so hard to defeat.

His unparalleled performance as Blade made him so iconic that no one can surpass the role until now.

Starting Your Child In Karate

Celebrity Name: Jean-Claude Van Damme

Occupation: Actor, martial artist

Type of Martial Arts: Shotokan karate and Kickboxing

Training Since: 10 years old

Belt Grade: Black belt in various martial arts

The man of splits and high-flying kicks is what Jean-Claude Van Damme is all about. “The Muscles from Brussels” defines how martial artists should look on the screen with all those muscles showing at all angles.

He first landed the main antagonist role in No Retreat, No Surrender after being famous for his heroic roles in Universal Soldier, Bloodsport, Time Cop, and Streetfighter.

In this day and age, JCVD remains fit and flexible and he still does splits and flying kicks on the spot.

Celebrity Name: Michael Jai White

Occupation: Actor, martial artist

Type of Martial Arts: Kyokushin Karate, Taekwondo, Wushu

Training Since: 7 years old

Belt Grade: Black belt in various martial arts

Michael Jai White was the first African American who landed a major comic book superhero role known as Spawn.

He started training in martial arts at the age of seven which made him proficient in 9 different styles by practicing each style and moving on to the next.

Although his style incorporates many martial arts forms, his main focus is on Kyokushin Karate.

White is actively seen in recent martial arts movies and he continues to establish a calm but explosive personality that is hard to deal with when provoked.

Is MMA In The Olympics?

Celebrity Name: John Foo

Occupation: Actor, martial artist

Type of Martial Arts: Wushu

Training Since: 15 years old

Belt Grade: N/A

John Foo is known for his role in Tom-Yum-Goong as the wushu fighter before he landed his major role in 2009 as Jin Kazama in Tekken the movie.

He is a wushu practitioner and uses the art in a stunt role before getting into major roles in the film. John now trains with different styles of martial arts with the hopes of landing more major martial arts roles in the future.

Celebrity Name: Guy Ritchie

Occupation: Film director, producer, screenwriter, businessman

Type of Martial Arts: Judo, Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Training Since: 7 years old

Belt Grade: Black belt in Judo and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Guy Ritchie is recognized in gangster films and consistent practitioner of BJJ under Renzo Grazie. He is also proficient in Shotokan Karate as he started practicing martial arts at the age of seven.

This film director currently focuses mainly on BJJ as it benefits his age by doing more on the mats than doing striking techniques. It keeps him fit and more focused as he also actively participate in the film industry.

Celebrity Name: Keanu Reeves

Occupation: Actor

Type of Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Training Since: John Wick

Belt Grade: White

Surprisingly, Keanu Reeves claims that he had no martial arts background and his proficiency as he claims was all about movie magic.

He is a great actor who embodies any role and given a role which requires martial arts made him learn in on the set through practice.

He had learned Kung-fu movements in the movie “The Matrix” but the series of John Wick films made him study Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to formally introduce him in the art and that made him a current white belt holder, earning his way to the top.

Is Muay Thai Dangerous?

Celebrity Name: Jason Statham

Occupation: Actor

Type of Martial Arts: Karate, Kickboxing, Wingchun and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Training Since: 10 years old

Belt Grade: Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Jason Statham is known for his tough guy roles and surprises his enemies with his high hitting martial arts movements!

He practiced diving more than of martial arts and he was more of a hobbyist than a practitioner but that didn’t stop him from mastering his craft and landing his role as a fighter and a tough guy in martial arts film.

He didn’t devote his time in martial arts but him being an actor just like Keanu Reeves made him embody what is needed in the film and that made them train to look like they were very proficient in the arts.

If You Train Like an MMA Fighter – You Will Look Like an MMA Fighter.

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What Was Bruce Lee’s Fighting Style?

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It’s no secret that Bruce Lee was one of the most influential martial artists of all time. Bruce Lee’s fighting style is known as Jeet Kune Do and it is still used by top fighters today.

In this article, we’ll learn about the origins of Jeet Kune Do and explore some of the key principles behind Bruce Lee’s teachings.

We’ll also take a look at some of Bruce Lee’s most famous fights and see how his style influenced modern-day fighters.

Belt Grading In Kickboxing

Who was Bruce Lee?

Bruce Lee was an internationally renowned martial artist, actor, and philosopher. He is widely considered one of the greatest martial artists of all time and is widely credited with helping to bring martial arts to the mainstream.

He is also recognized for his role in the creation of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid form of martial arts that incorporates different combat disciplines.

Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco in 1940 but his family moved back to Hong Kong shortly after his birth – and that’s where he was raised.

His introduction to martial arts was through his first teacher Ip Man, who taught him Wing Chun. It’s said that he went on to learn Western Boxing and Western Fencing.

MMA Striking Techniques

What was Bruce Lee’s fighting style?

Bruce Lee’s fighting style was based on a philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, which is an amalgamation of various martial arts disciplines.

Lee invested Jeet Kune Do by combining these disciplines into a unique system that he termed “flow” – a state of complete immersion and concentration in the task at hand.

He believed that when an individual was in flow, they were free from the distractions of the outside world and could focus completely on the fight.

This is why his style was so effective – it allowed him to take advantage of his opponent’s weaknesses.

Is Jeet Kune Do effective?

Jeet Kune Do is a martial art that is designed to be effective in fighting. Keep in mind that Jeet Kune Do is a mixture of multiple combat styles rolled in one.

It is liken to the mixed martial arts of today. Keet Kune Do does not have a prescribed fighting system. The focus is to anticipate, intercept, and use your skill to counter without hesitation.

By training and practicing you can develop their skills to the fullest. There are many techniques and strategies included in Jeet Kune Do which are designed to help you defeat your opponent.

By practicing you can increase your chances of winning in a competition or in a real life street fight.

Deadliest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Submissions

Is Jeet Kune Do Still Taught?

Despite mix martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu being the most popular forms of self defense today, Jeet Kune Do is being taught.

You can search online and find popular search terms like Jeet Kune Do near me or Jeet Kune Do schools. People want to learn about the philosophies and principles about the art, and this maintains it’s reputation across the world.

The World JKD Federation

The World JKD Federation (World Jeet Kune Do) is the world’s largest association of full-time JKD teachers, athletes, and trainers.

Their mission is to promote the sport and show support to the growth and development of Jeet Kune Do worldwide.

They provide resources, training, and support to their members worldwide, and work to raise awareness of JKD through educational events, media appearances, and partnerships with other organizations.

Kimura From Closed Guard

Where is the Bruce Lee Statue?

The Bruce Lee statue is located in Sun Mun Way, Los Angeles. This location is also known as Chinatown.

It is a bronze statue that stands seven feet tall and depicts Bruce Lee holding nun-chucks.

It was first unveiled on June 15, 2013 and permanently installed on a commemorative pedestal, and unveiled on September 28, 2018 at a ceremony attended by his daughter Shannon Lee.

Is there a statue of Bruce Lee in San Francisco?

Although San Francisco is the birth place of Bruce Lee, there isn’t a statue of him there. However, on February 5, 2022 San Francisco’s Chinese Historical Society of America Museum debut an exhibit dedicated to the life of Bruce Lee.

The only reason why the statue of him is in Los Angeles and not San Francisco, is because he build a martial arts school there while filming the television series called “The Green Hornet.”

Escaping The Triangle Choke

Movies Bruce Lee stared in

Enter The Dragon
The Way of the Dragon
Fist of Fury
The Big Boss
Fist of Unicorn
Fury of the Dragon
Game of Death
Fist of Death, Tough of Fear
Ninja Strikes Back

Side Control Clock Choke BJJ

Does Jeet Kune Do Have Belts?

Bruce Lee did not create a belt ranking system. When he created Jeet Kune Do there were no belts.

He instead gave out certificates only to a handful of students that he personal trained. According to Dan Inosanto, one if his main students, Bruce Lee’s graduating certificate ranks had two levels.

Level 1 – Senior 1 and Junior 1.
Level 2 – Junior 1 and Senior

Keep in mind that this is basic. He passed away before he could really develop his certificate ranking system to it’s fullest potential.

When Bruce taught JKD there were no belts or even uniforms. This is because Jeet Kune Do didn’t follow traditional martial arts systems. It was mainly taught for street fighting.

In today’s world some who have carried on teaching the tradition of Jeet Kune Do have given it a belt ranking system. Again, some but not all.

Here is the Jeet Kune Do modern day belt system

1st Rank – White belt. Six month to one year of training.

2nd Rank – White and green belt. Both beginner and intermediate students.

3rd Rank -White and green belt. Instructor level.

4rth Rank – White and black belt. Instructor level.

5th Rank – White and red belt. Instructor level.

6th Rank – White and yellow belt. Instructor level.

7th Rank – Red and yellow belt. instructor level.

8th Rank – White. Sijo (Founder of the system) and Sigun (Grandfather of the system)

This belt system is not used by every dojo. A belt system was never intended for Jeet Kune Do. That’s not what Bruce Lee wanted.

Kimura From Side Control

Does Jeet Kune Do have grappling?

Yes, Jeet Kune Do does have grappling. According to Larry Hartsell, a person who was taught Jeet Kune do under Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune do always had grappling.

Bruce Lee learned grappling from infamous wrestler and judo master Gene LeBell and Jiu-Jitsu master Wally Jay. He implemented pieces of it into Jeet Kune do.

Before Bruce Lee died he added 33 grappling techniques to Jeet Kune Do. you can find his grappling techniques in his book called Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

Conclusion

In summary, Bruce Lee’s fighting style was Jeet Kune Do. This was a fighting style that he created because he wanted people to move away from the martial arts system mentality.

The martial arts system didn’t allow you to flow or think freely while doing martial arts. It had you confined to a martial arts system and he believed that it limited you as a practitioner.

The Jeet Kune Do philosophy and fighting style has no belts and no uniforms, although some modern gyms have added their own belt and uniform system.

This is entirely up to them but it does not represent the original Jeet Kune Do way. If you want to learn more about Jeet Kune Do – its fighting style and philosophies – please read the book below.

TAO of JEET KUNE DO

Compiled from Bruce Lee’s notes and essays and originally published in 1975, this iconic volume is one of the seminal martial arts guides of its time.

The science and philosophy behind the fighting system Lee pioneered himself—jeet kune do—is explained in detail, depicted through hundreds of Lee’s own illustrations.

With the collaboration of Lee’s daughter, Shannon, and Bruce Lee Enterprises, this new edition is expanded, updated, and remastered, covering topics such as Zen and enlightenment, kicking, striking, grappling, and footwork.

Featuring an introduction by Linda Lee, this is essential reading for any practitioner, offering a brief glimpse into the mind of one of the world’s greatest martial artists.

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Why Do MMA Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears?

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Have you ever seen an MMA fighters ears? Some people think it’s weird, while others think it’s gross. But it begs to ask – why do MMA fighters have cauliflower ears?

In this blog post I’ll describe how MMA fighters get cauliflower ears, and answer the many questions people have about them.

Practicing Muay Thai Takedowns

Why do MMA fighters have cauliflower ears?

Firstly, it’s called cauliflower ears because the ears look like a cauliflower. The cauliflower ears are caused by repeated trauma to the ears.

The trauma is caused by a fighter getting hit with punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and slaps to the ears.

So what happens is the ear get hit repeatedly over time and build up blood and fluid. This blood clot causes the ear tissue to become hard and the ear eventually shrivels up.

Can you prevent cauliflower ears?

Yes, you can prevent cauliflower ears by wearing the proper head gear when training. And also learn how to defend your head properly in a real fight. Whether you’re standing up or on the ground.

The issue with some people in training is that after a while they get tired of wearing the head gear. Another reason why some don’t wear it because they think they look cooler without it on.

My advice is to wear the head gear at all time. It can not only protect you from getting cauliflower ears, but protect you from any accident that may occur during training.

Learning Kickboxing Techniques

Does cauliflower ears hurt?

Yes, cauliflower ears do hurt in the beginning, as the ears begin to callus. Keep in mind that your ear is damaged and as the tissue weakens and blood and fluid builds up it is going to hurt.

Fighters also mention it hurts when they sleep on either one of their ear. Now this may be only in the beginning because there is no mention of the pain through out their career.

Can cauliflower ear cause loss of hearing?

The National Library of Medicine did a case control study with wrestlers who had cauliflower ears. They concluded that people with cauliflower ears were more likely to get loss of hearing than someone who didn’t have cauliflower ears.

So based on the study you can get loss of hearing if you have cauliflower ears and you don’t seek treatment for it.

I haven’t heard a fighter mention they have loss of hearing from their cauliflower ears, but then again a lot of fighters are quiet about their issues. And to be honest they have every right to be, it’s none of our business.

Hot To Do Single Leg Sweep From Guard

Can a cauliflower ear explode?

Yes, a cauliflower ear can explode. I’ve seen it twice in the gym and it sure is messy. In both separate occasions we didn’t try to treat the men ourselves. We droved them to the hospital to get professional medical help.

The most recognized moment when the world saw a cauliflower ear explode was the UFC match between Jessica Eye and Leslie Smith. Leslie took a right hand to right side of her head and her cauliflower ear exploded.

The callus on her left cauliflower ear fell off and blood starting spewing everywhere. It was a grewsome scene to watch. All members of the audience was shocked.

Learn How To Slip A Punch

Can cauliflower ears get infected?

Yes, cauliflower ears can get infected in the earlobe. Poor blood circulation to the ear may cause infection in some people, and even slow down the process of the ears healing.

Also keep in mind that the ear is now damaged and has folded inward. That’ means you have no way of cleaning the inside of the ear, and if you have no way of cleaning it bacteria may form.

That goes for any part of our body. We have to clean it or bacteria will grow and it will become infected.

Does cauliflower ears go away?

No, cauliflower ear will not go away on it’s own. If you have cauliflower ear your ear has been damaged and the look won’t go away.

In some cases the only way to reverse cauliflower ear is to have corrective surgery. Keep in mind that this does not work for everyone. Please consult your physician before considering surgery.

The best way to avoid getting cauliflower ears is to wear the proper head gear when training.

Reasons Why MMA Is Popular

10 MMA fighters with the worst cauliflower ears

BJ Penn
Frankie Edgar
James Thompson
Alexander Gustafsson
Rany Couture
Leslie Smith
Antonio Rogerio Nogueria
Rafael Dos Anjos
Kazushi Sakuraba

Do all MMA fighters have cauliflower ears?

You’d be surprised to know that not all MMA fighters have cauliflower ears. In fact, most MMA fights don’t have cauliflower ears.

Many people think that because fighters go through tough training and they take a lot of strikes to the head, that they all have cauliflower ears. This is the furthest thing from the truth.

Although mishaps can happen during training and in a real fight, the majority of MMA fighters know how to protect themselves, thus avoiding the cauliflower ear.

10 MMA fighters that don’t have cauliflower ears

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former middleweight champion who is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. He competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 2006-2020.

Anderson Silva is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days.

Silva is a master at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and this black belt has never really been hit in the face or head during his whole career.

If you watch matches of him on Youtube Silva is skilled at ducking, bobbing and weaving around and away from his opponents strikes.

Do Martial Arts Work?

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou is a professional mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division.

He is best known for his knockout victory over former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 260, which made him the first African-born fighter to win a title in the UFC.

Although Francis Ngannou has only been an MMA fighter for a few years, he’s now known as a mega star across the world.

It’s clear to see that any fighter that faces Ngannou can’t really hit him. His 6’3 and 262 frame of all muscle is intimidating. His knock out power makes fighter hesitant to get close to him.

Francis Ngannou Wiki

Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker is an Australian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In 2017 he became the UFC interim middleweight champion by outpointing Yoel Romero. Whittaker is known for having a strong stand up brawl game, but hasn’t taken much damage to his ears.

Stephen Thompson

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is an MMA fighter who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Hew has 16 wind and 6 losses in the UFC and although he was a big prospect in his division, he has never won a championship title.

Because of his dominate karate style fighters have not really got a chance to punch him in the side of his head much.

This preserves his ears and is why he doesn’t have the cauliflower ears. That and he wears head gear during training.

Perfecting the Shoulder Roll In Boxing

Robbie Lawler

Robbie Lawler is an MMA fighter who is under contract with the UFC. His last bout was in 2021 when he won a TKO victory over Nick Diaz.

He was not only the UFC Welterweight champion but also the former EliteXC Middleweight Champion. Like the others on the list he has no cauliflower ears.

Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya is an undefeated Nigerian fighter who is currently signed to the UFC. He debut in the UFC in 2018 and since then has fought all the elite fighters in his middleweight division.

Nick named “The Last Stylebender” he is known for his slick, smooth, and highly skilled Muay Thai stand up game.

That’s why it’s so hard to inflict damage onto him, his strikes make it hard for you to get close.

Lessons For Your Child Starting Karate

Andre Arlovski

Andre “The Giant” Arlovski is currently signed to the UFC. He competes in the Heavyweight division as a 43 year old.

He is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and is one of the most iconic and popular fighters in UFC history.

Andrew holds the record for most bouts as well as wins in UFC heavyweight history.

Anthony Johnson

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is an MMA fighter in Bellator. He was a former light heavyweight contender in the UFC.

He was mostly feared for his one punch knockout power. Anthony is a great fighter so it’s easy to see that his ears has to blemishes on them.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Joanna Jedrzejczyk is a Polish mixed martial artist who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

She is a former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion and free of cauliflower ears.

Kimura From Closed Guard

Weili Zhang

Weili Zhang is a mixed martial arts fighter currently fighting in the UFC. She is an incredible talent and is the former UFC Strawweight champion.

Weili Zhang has been praised for being the first ever Chinese champion in UFC history. Although she lost her belt to Rose Namajunas, she is preparing hard for the rematch to regain the Strawweight belt.

The Black Belt Blueprint: An Intelligent Approach to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

“The Black Belt Blue Print” is a must have for true students of jiu jitsu. Concise, yet comprehensive, it’s the guidebook I secretly yearned for when I began training. With wisdom and experience on every page, this book will enhance your journey in the gentle art.” Roy Dean – BJJ Black Belt

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Written by Roger Gracie’s first black belt and founder of the Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood, Nicolas Gregoriades, this is a comprehensive guide to the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

It features a detailed and holistic approach to the training methods, techniques and concepts which underpin the art.

Why Is MMA Not In The Olympics?

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With other forms of martial arts being in the Olympics – Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, and boxing – curious minds often ask why is MMA not in the Olympics?

In this article, I’ll explain why MMA is not in the Olympics, go over the martial arts currently in the Olympics, and give my opinion on whether MMA will ever be in the Olympics. If you’re ready, let’s begin!

Reasons Why Martial Arts Do Work

Why is MMA not in the Olympics?

MMA is a full-contact sport that involves punching, kicking, grappling, and throwing.

It is popular in many countries around the world, and although it has been tried numerous times to be added to the Olympics, it has yet to be accepted.

There are a few reasons for this, but the main reason is that the sport is not considered an “Olympic sport.”

There are a number of issues that need to be addressed before MMA can be accepted as an Olympic sport, including making sure that it is safe and fair for all competitors.

Scoring MMA is Hard

In combat Olympic sports including Taekwondo, Wrestling, Judo, Boxing, and Karate the judges give points based on a strike, throw, or pin.

In MMA the scoring is a bit more difficult because there are too many variables that determine the outcome of a fight.

The scoring can also be based on control time.

The scoring can also be based on control time. the time spent in the dominant position on the ground or in the clinch, which the other combat sports in the Olympics do not incorporate.

which the other combat sports in the Olympics do not incorporate.

Basic Beginner Moves in Kickboxing

Protective gear gets into the way

In Olympic Karate and Taekwondo, the rules state that you can only use semi-contact on your opponent.

In other words, you can’t use full force when striking your opponent, or you will get points deducted or disqualified.

This rule would make MMA boring to implement because it would take away from the entertainment aspect.

People who watch MMA want to see blood. The brutality of the sport is what keeps it thriving. To take away aggressive contact – and add a bunch of gear to the fighters would be to take away its very essence.

How To Master The Von Flue Choke

No time to fully recover from fights

In the Olympics, all combat sports are in a tournament style. Meaning if you win a bout you qualify to move on to the next round of the tournament.

The winner of this final match is awarded the gold medal while the loser is awarded the silver. There are two bronze metal matches for those who win in the repechage bracket.

In most cases a fighter will fight once a week until he/she has won the tournament for their weight class. In MMA you are immediately suspended for 14 days after your fight in order to give you recovery time.

Depending on how many MMA fighters are in the tournament, there won’t be enough of a recovery time for the fighters in Olympic style fighting.

Why Is MMA So Popular?

Not enough good competition globally

Although MMA is world renowned, there is not enough good fighters around the world to compete in an Olympic setting.

MMA is dominated by Americans and South Americans – specifically Brazil. Although the UFC currently has two African champions, it’s not enough to represent a whole nation of elite fighters.

If we had MMA in the Olympics there would need to be elite MMA fighters representing about 61 countries. To be honest there are not many strong MMA fighters outside of the two continents I’ve mentioned.

BJJ Passing Half Guard

If you lose, you don’t get paid

In the Olympics if you lose you don’t get paid. There are prizes for Gold, Silver And Bronze but for fourth place and beyond, you get nothing.

It’s not like winning a metal pays you a lot. It pays you less in comparison to sports like the NBA, Football, or Soccer.

A gold metal = $37, 500

A silver metal = $22,500

A bronze metal = $15,00

An MMA fighter will not depart from their training as a professional fighter to be apart of a tournament they’re not getting paid for. The fights to qualify don’t pay you, you only get paid if you win.

Where are if you fight in a professional MMA league you get paid whether you win or lose.

List of Olympic combat sports

There are 6 combat sports in the Olympics – they are boxing, wrestling, karate, taekwondo, judo and fencing. Yes, fencing is known as a combat sport.

Below I have outlined each combat sport and have described their definition and function.

Olympic Wrestling

Wrestling is a sport and also can be used in street self-defense. It is one of the oldest sports in the world and is considered to be one of the most physical.

Wrestling originated in Ancient Egypt. Works of art from 3000 bce depict belt wrestling in Babylonia and Egypt, and the Sumerian Gilgamesh epic has a description of such wrestling.

Wrestling is a full-contact sport that typically involves two opponents grappling – trying to throw each other to the ground.

While on the ground the top opponent tries to pin or submit the bottom opponent.

In the olympics, wrestling has two categories – Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. However, outside of the Olympics there are other styles of wrestling including:

Folkstyle (collegiate) wrestling
Catch wrestling
Shoot wrestling
Shuai Jiao
Modern Pankration
Professional wrestling (WWE)
Sambo wrestling
Luta Livre
Okinawan wrestling
Sumo wrestling
Schwingen wrestling
Mongolian wrestling
Pankration wrestling
Lancashire Wrestling
Greek wrestling
Devon Wrestling

The difference between Folkstyle wrestling and Freestyle wrestling

Punches In Taekwondo

Olympic Boxing

Boxing is a sport that is between two people where each tries to land punches on the other person’s head or body.

The object is to knock the opponent out or gain enough points to win the bout. Boxing is one of the oldest sports and is widely watched and favored in America.

In Olympic boxing – boxers wear protective gloves to avoid hand injuries. The rules state that fighters can’t hit the opponent anywhere below the belt or on the back of the head, as it’s prohibited.

In women’s Olympic boxing, protective headgears are mandatory. As for men, headgears were removed in the Olympics from 2016.

Olympic Judo

Judo is a martial art that was developed in Japan in the late nineteenth century. It was first introduced in the Olympics in 1964 in Tokyo.

It is a grappling sport that focuses on throws, joint locks, pins and submissions – and uses the attacker’s weight and size to gain an advantage.

Judo is a very physically demanding sport, and can take years of training to become proficient.

Here are the Judo rules in the Olympics

No punching or kicking your opponent
Attacking joints other than elbows is not allowed
No head dives
Can not intentionally harm opponent
techniques like Kawazu Gake and Kami Basami are not allowed
No wearing of any hard or metallic object

Slipping A Punch In Boxing

Olympic Karate

Karate is a martial art that originated in Japan. It is an effective self-defense system that focuses on techniques that allow the practitioner to defeat an opponent using hand-to-hand combat.

Karate training can be done in a variety of settings including dojos (training schools), which can provide instruction in karate for both adults and children,

The World Karate Federation scores Olympic karate as follows:

Ippon: 3 points – Awarded for kicks to the head or any scoring technique delivered on a thrown or fallen opponent.
Waza-Ari: 2 points – Awarded for kicks to the midsection of the body.
Yuko: 1 point

Karate fighters in the Olympics will wear protective gear covering their hands and feet.

Olympic Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a physical activity that involves kicking, punching, and various other moves with the intention of damaging or disabling an opponent.

It is a Martial Art that originated in Korea, and was originally developed as a training method for military personnel.

Taekwondo is now enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds around the world for its multitude of benefits, including improved balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength.

Taekwondo points in the Olympics is as follows:

Kick to the trunk protector = 1 point
Punch to the trunk protector = 2 points
Turning kick to the trunk protector = 4 points
Kick to the head = 3 points
Turning kick to the head = 4 points
Every penalty against opponent = 1 point

Armbar From Mount Position

Olympic Fencing

Fencing is a sport that involves the use of steel or bamboo swords to strike an opponent. It is one of the oldest sports in the world, and has been practiced for centuries.

There are three disciplines of fencing – Sabre (saber), Foil, and Epee.

Sabre fencing is more popular, and focuses on using quick, short attacks to take down your opponent. Epee fencing is defensive, so it’s more tactical and involves using both hands to parry and block your opponent’s attacks.

Foil fencing is the final discipline of fencing. The fence is flexible, rectangular in cross section, and weighs under a pound. In all fencing points are only scored by contact with the tip.

Each fencer wears an electrical apparatus that consists of a 12V circuit. The colored lights of this apparatus register valid hits; the white lights register hits landing outside the valid target area.

Each touch in fencing is worth one point. One bout is the duration of 9 minutes divided into three periods of three minutes. And you do get a one minute break in between periods.

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