Albuquerque MMA Gyms
Ready to join in on the world’s fastest growing sport? Mixed martial arts is a system of hand-to-hand combat that encompasses all aspects of fighting. Learn how to fight on the feet with Muay Thai kickboxing, or on the ground with Brazilian jujitsu. MMA is a sport that borrows techniques from many other martial arts and fighting sports for a well-rounded system of fighting that is unparalleled in its efficiency and brutality. Find an MMA gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico today to start you journey in losing weight, gaining strength and learning how to fight for self-defense or for competition in the cage!
What is MMA?
Mixed martial arts is a blend of fighting styles that uses only what has been proven to be useful in real combat. Modern MMA can be broken down into three elements: standup fighting, clinching fighting and ground fighting.
Standup Fighting: Muay Thai Kickboxing
Muay Thai is often the style of choice for attacking on the feet. Muay Thai is a type of kickboxing that allows for punches, kicks, elbows and knees. Its attacks are fast, powerful and highly efficient. The style also allows a fighter to defend himself appropriately, and encourages a defensive posture to block, catch and counter attacks when such opportunities arise. Kickboxing, in general, provides an excellent workout that can greatly improve one’s cardio fitness and stamina. Practicing Muay Thai will also benefit a fighter’s flexibility, timing and physical toughness. When looking for a MMA gym in Albuquerque, NM, ensure that it has a well run Muay Thai kickboxing program. Inspect the gym’s selection of training equipment, such as its heavy bags, speed bags, kick mitts and boxing focus mitts. This kickboxing gear is essential for proper Muay Thai training. If the gym has a roped ring or cage, this will be a major bonus for anyone thinking about competing. Find a gym with experienced Muay Thai instructors that can show you how kickboxing can be used in MMA fighting.
Clinch Fighting: Greco-roman wrestling, Judo and Muay Thai
Most fights, at some point, become a wrestling match on the feet. This position, where two fighters are close together and at least one opponent is grabbing onto the other, is known as the clinch position. Learning how to effectively fight and defend from the clinch is essential for MMA fighting. Greco-roman wrestling is a style well suited for the standing clinch position. This style’s takedowns and takedown defense, enables a fighter to control the action in the clinch. Greco-roman wrestling teaches effective tackles and how to control an opponent through body holds and smart positioning. Judo is another style that is predominantly focused on the clinch position. Judo, of course, is aimed at taking the fight to the ground, and its use of lightening fast hip throws, leg trips and sweeps makes it a highly effective style for doing so. Muay Thai, although often regarded as mainly a striking art, offers many techniques for the clinch. Muay Thai encourages the use of neck wrestling combined with short elbow strikes and powerful knee strikes. Often, such techniques will inflict serious damage to an opponent without ever having to take the fight to the ground. Look for MMA gyms in Albuquerque that offer adequate clinch fighting training.
Ground Fighting: Brazilian and Gracie Jujitsu
Whether fighting in the street or cage, a fight will almost always see action on the ground. When a fight hits the canvas, Brazilian jujitsu is the dominant style seen in MMA combat. This system of grappling, introduced mainly by the Gracie family to the rest of the world in the UFC organization during the early 90’s, is a highly effective and cerebral fighting art that uses the science of leverage and body mechanics to gain an advantage in a match. Brazilian jujitsu utilizes powerful joint locks to the elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles of an opponent to win a fight by submission. The style also uses many choking techniques to tap out an opponent or render them unconscious. Greco-roman wrestling is also used on the ground, as it teaches how to control an opponent, although not from the bottom position. When searching for an MMA gym in Albuquerque, ensure that it has certified instructors for Brazilian jujitsu. A good gym will have a wide-open rolling area that is suitable for jujitsu training. The style of jujitsu taught should also be compatible with MMA fighting, and as such, should not involve the use of a uniform, or gi’s. Training should show how jujitsu techniques can be integrated with full MMA fighting.
MMA Clothing in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Find all the latest MMA clothing and gear at shops selling popular brands like Venom, Sinister, Warrior Wear and American Fighter. Get MMA gloves featuring high quality stitch work and leather. Buy MMA gear and equipment like groin cups, fighting shorts, rash guards and kickboxing gear. Get it all at MMA stores in Albuquerque or shop online for the best deals in MMA equipment.