Where to start?

[pace]

Hi guys and gals,

I have been looking to start a form of contact fighting, alongside the weights. Well to be honest maybe even drop the weights. I have done a couple of Tia Boxing glasses and have enjoyed it but i would like to do some ground work to. I like the look of MMA and there are some novice classes near me and am thinking of doing that, question is would i maintain a standing focus to?

I have always been big on the weights and am a big lad. Never really done anything like this apart from a few boxing lessons, ive always been abit of a brawler. I dont want to loose all of my size but am happy to get fit.

What would you say would be best?

cheers for any help

[dope540]

it's possible to keep your size, train weights and do a martial sport. check out silvio simac. huge dude and a tkd world heavyweight sparring champion.

comanight2 would be the best one to ask regards to ground work, johnw has started in some mma training as well. theyre the two that come to mind on here.

[JohnW]

I have done a fair amount of research, from a beginners perspective, I ended up going for Thai boxing and Brazilian jujitsu class.

The boxing is like HIIT and the BJJ is ground work and brilliant fun and would seem to allow you to spar quite aggressively/powerfully but safely - my second lesson in both is Thursday and I cant wait.

I love watching UFC and they're both among the most exhibited arts along with Greco Roman wrestling which is taught as a US school sport afaik.

I don't think you'll loose much muscle either after the sparring I was pumped and had DOMS in the following days, its just a different way of using your muscles.

[pace]

I noticed the DOMS aswell killer man lol......you still lift weights aswell?

[comanight2]

Quote

Hi guys and gals,

I have been looking to start a form of contact fighting, alongside the weights. Well to be honest maybe even drop the weights. I have done a couple of Tia Boxing glasses and have enjoyed it but i would like to do some ground work to. I like the look of MMA and there are some novice classes near me and am thinking of doing that, question is would i maintain a standing focus to?

I have always been big on the weights and am a big lad. Never really done anything like this apart from a few boxing lessons, ive always been abit of a brawler. I dont want to loose all of my size but am happy to get fit.

What would you say would be best?

cheers for any help

allo big chap

Yep, you should goto the mma class - striking in mma is a bit different from boxing/thai boxing (different threats).

You also gotto remember that all the best mma athletes who are strikers are also accomplished grapplers, a lot of them have black belts in brazillian jui jitsu - though you hardly see it its there when they need it - think chuck liddel or wanderlei silva.

My advice would be to make mma classes the bulk of your training and supplement them with boxing and some sort of submission wrestling (Brazillian ju jitsu, sambo, etc etc etc - preferably without the jacket and pants because the game is completely different when your not wearing the gi )

Let us know how you get on, im back at mma tomorrow - cacking it because my striking is mince

[JohnW]

Quote

I noticed the DOMS aswell killer man lol......you still lift weights aswell?

Yes, having to rethink the routine right now though - that said I've reverted into being a fat berk after two weeks in the US on business!!

Ordered my first Gi today