Calgary MMA Gyms
Want to learn the ultimate fighting style? Mixed martial arts has proven to be the most effective form of hand-to-hand combat ever developed. MMA is a blend of traditional martial arts styles and fighting sports, that takes only what’s best and what’s needed from these ancient systems, and combines them into the greatest fighting sport of modern times. Mixed martial arts uses the standup striking of Muay Thai and Karate, the takedown and takedown defense of wrestling and Judo, and the ground fighting of Gracie Brazilian jujitsu and submission wrestling. Studying MMA is the only way to learn real fighting skills for competition or personal defense in the street. Mixed martial arts is also a great way to get in shape and lose weight, without resorting to boring activities such as jogging or weight training.
Muay Thai in Calgary
The ancient art of Muay Thai teaches the use of fists, shins, knees and elbows to deliver knockout blows to an opponent. Muay Thai is the most effective and vicious form of kick boxing known to man. It employs speed, power and careful timing to destroy an attacker on the feet, before the fight ever reaches the ground. Using Muay Thai, an MMA fighter will have a large variety of kicks and punches to startle and break down an opponent’s defense. This style of kick boxing also teaches excellent guard defense such as blocking and deflecting strikes.
Brazilian Jujitsu in Calgary
Statistics show that most fights, whether in the cage or the street, will go to the ground; this is how Royce Gracie dominated the early UFC events and why learning jujitsu is absolutely imperative for any MMA fighter. Gracie jujitsu, or Brazilian jujitsu as it is more commonly called, utilizes grappling techniques that control the opponent’s body and movements. This prevents the attacker from unleashing dangerous strikes, whilst also constricting their ability to escape or improve position on the ground. Brazilian jujitsu attacks an opponent by harnessing leverage and body mechanics to employ a huge variety of chokes and joint locks that can bring an MMA opponent or street attacker to submission. The scientific basis for these techniques ensure that anyone, no matter their strength or athletic ability, is able to use jujitsu techniques to defend or attack in a close-quarters fighting environment.
Greco-roman wrestling and Judo in Calgary
Many of today’s top MMA competitors are skilled in Greco-roman wrestling. These athletes are proficient at taking an opponent down to the ground, at will. Possessing superior wrestling abilities allows a mixed martial arts fighter to control where he or she wishes to take the fight. Squaring off against a dangerous boxer, or an opponent with a supreme reach advantage, may make it wise to clinch, trip or tackle an opponent to the ground where the favor shifts to the ground fighter. Similarly, Judo has been used by many MMA competitors to trip, sweep and hip-throw opponents to the ground – often in dramatic fashion. Judo also teaches chokes joint locks and ground control similar to jujitsu, which is no surprise, as both styles have the same roots.
MMA Clothing and Gear in Calgary
MMA Clothing has become popular among mixed martial arts practitioners and fans of the sport. With so many brands to choose from, find the best store to buy official MMA clothing and gear, such as MMA gloves, fighting shorts, rash guards and t-shirts. Look for the top MMA brands like Venom, Xtreme Couture, Sprawl, Nogi and Affliction.