MMA Training Day One: Philosophy - SBartlett's Blog

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MMA Training Day One: Philosophy Stuck

Posted on October 9, 2010 at 03:09 PM.

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Hey World,

Glad your with me on this beautiful fall day in October here in New England. Just got back from some basic MMA training with J. Hova - nothing big today.

I'm not going to get into the drills just yet since I will posting them in a video and have separate pieces for my immediate reactions to the workouts.

Today, Jay and I had a great discussion on the culture of MMA itself.

I learned about the culture of MMA in the United States, and how the perception of the sport is completely different from what is found in Brazil and Japan.

MMA in the U.S. is still growing and is not completely mainstream yet. There are many misconceptions of the arts - judgments made based on the animalistic look of the sport.

MMA is more than two fighters scrapping in a ring; it's more than two guys just fighting to survive. It's exactly what the title implies - MMA is a form of art.

Every slip of head and inching step is a strategic move to gain the correct position on an opponent to either strike, or to protect one's self.

In some ways it's a beautiful dance.

Those in other cultures where the disciplines of MMA are practiced appreciate the sport in a way that we here in the U.S. have yet to understand. It's not necessarily all about the KO and ground and pounds.

Fans in both Japan and Brazil watch the match for the appreciation of the skill and technicality. This is why the crowd is so quiet in other parts of the world. Fans watch intensely on each move, paying respect to each fighter with a silence that allows for maximum focus for athletes in the ring. There's a knowledge and respect perhaps the ****** fans in the U.S. have yet to learn.

Jay quickly explained to me that fundamentals will be the focus in my training. It's not about going in there are brawling. MMA demands discipline and focus. Those who overlook this aspect of the sport will fade out of the sport quickly.

As Jon Jones of the UFC said recently in an interview with Yahoo! Sports, �I believe in the martial arts way and carrying yourself in a certain manner and never disrespecting your opponent..."

Jay explained to me about the importance of training and just how amazing the MMA athletes prepare their bodies. The human body is not built for the sport. But therein lies the beauty of this discipline. MMA athletes sculpt their frames to maximum strength, endurance, and preparation of their minds.

Day one of my training, while short, was a learning experience I will carry with me throughout my studies in MMA. Respect to the sport. Respect the opponent.

2 Pix: http://www.operationsports.com/SBart...-mma-training/