MMA Training at Defensive Edge (ATT-Boston)

At Defensive Edge, our mixed martial art (MMA) fighters train in a combined variety of styles that have been proven effective in the ring, so that they can be effective in all the phases of combat. Although fighters tend  to have their particular specialties, Our fighters train for  all kinds of situations; a stand-up fighting specialist will train how not to  get taken down and a submission artist might need to fight standing-up for a while before he can execute a takedown. A mixed martial artist might train in a particular style to enhance his or her skills in the phase of combat that that style targets. Typical styles, known for their effectiveness, that have been trained prior to the mixed martial arts career, and that are trained individually to enhance a particular phase of combat, are:

• Stand-up: Muay Thai, and other various forms of Boxing, kickboxing, and full contact Martial Arts are trained to improve footwork, elbowing, kicking, kneeing and punching.
• Clinch: While Muay Thai is trained to improve the striking aspect of the clinch, Freestyle wrestling,  Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo, and Judo are trained to improve clinching, takedowns and throws.
• Ground: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, shoot wrestling, catch wrestling, Judo, and Sambo are trained to improve submission holds, and defense against them. These styles are also trained to improve and maintain ground control.

Many styles have to be adapted slightly for use in the sport. For example, several boxing stances are ineffective because they leave fighters vulnerable to leg kicks or takedowns. Similarly, Judo techniques have to be adapted to an opponent not wearing a judogi. Usually, modern fighters do not train in any particular style, but either train in multiple styles with multiple coaches, or train in teams with other athletes focusing specifically on competition. speed drills, strength training and flexibility are also important aspects of an MMA fighter's training. Mixed martial arts competition is very demanding physically, and the athletes need to be in top condition to be successful.

While mixed martial arts was initially practiced almost exclusively by competitive fighters, this is no longer the case. As the sport has become more mainstream and more widely taught, it has become accessible to wider range of practitioners of all ages. Proponents of this sort of training argue that it is safe for anyone, of any age, with varying levels of competitiveness.