I am 23, roughly 170lbs, dedicated to physical fitness, and am trying to figure out the best way to go about building a foundation for a career in MMA. I prefer to practice BJJ and/or Muay Thai.
I have researched where the top 20 best gyms are (cross referenced between FIGHT! magazine and Bleacher Report) and have narrowed it down to 4 based on location preference: Nog & Silva MMA (Miami, FL); American Top Team (Coconut Creek, FL); Penn Training and Fitness (Hilo, HI); Team Nogueira MMA (West Palm, FL). Would it be prudent to start at an affiliate in the area to begin training, then move to the higher rep gyms as I become more adept? Or, would it be better build my foundation at a higher rep gym (considering that higher rep gyms cost significantly more for membership)?
I have also considered going abroad. I have worked for UPS for 5 years and can transfer to any hub in the world and have narrowed down to either Thailand (practice Muay Thai) or Brazil (practice BJJ). I would plan to stay in either location and train for a year. Would it be worth studying and practicing the martial art in its originating country? Would it provide me with a competitive advantage that would outweigh financial costs? If so, which gyms/trainers should I seek out?
Training everyday is not an issue and neither is dieting. I have a high tolerance for pain and the drive to boot. Financially I am not made of money, but I am debt free and within my means to make something of myself.
If anyone has any suggestions on which gyms/trainers to pursue outside of what has already been suggested, please feel free to leave a comment. I am simply looking for general guidance on how to best go about pursuing this career. Thanks and much appreciated.
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Mma Career: How To Begin And Where To Train?
Posted on March 13, 2013.
Learn the rules of the game. Choose an MMA style that works best for you then practice to perfect your art.
You’re obviously serious about it and have done some research. That’s good. But I still think you’re approaching it all wrong.
For instance, if you were really serious you’d focus on the best gyms. Period. Not narrowed down by area. Also, you’ll find that some gyms have different focuses than do others. Some will emphasize striking. Others groundwork or wrestling. Of course, they’ll do all, but you need to consider that. Obviously, you like the semi-tropical areas. Forget about that. Really.
One other note: It doesn’t matter what you’d “prefer” to practice. What matters is what would give you the best MMA skills. Now, I happen to agree that Muay Thai and BJJ are two almost must-have skills. So is wrestling. But then you have to put those skills together in MMA.
Right now, though, find the best gym in your area. Putting you in some of the gyms you mention at your current stage would be like putting a 16-year-old behind the wheel of an Indy car. So, start locally. It doesn’t matter if it’s at an affiliate or not. Find the best one in your area and start there.
As for training overseas: Thailand is ideal for Muay Thai. I know several fighters (some just Muay Thai, some MMA) who go over there once or twice a year to train. But it’s Muay Thai training, not MMA. You may get some broader-based training in Brazil (beyond just BJJ), but you can find some very high-level gyms in the U.S.
If you don’t have any training, find the best gym in your area. (Best defined as the best instructors. Ones who’ve actually fought professionally or competed in the Olympics or at the highest levels of BJJ.) Practice every day. Do that for a year. Then start exploring top gyms in the U.S. or top locations overseas.
Hope that helps.
This is a fascinating story. I’m not a fighter, but a big MMA fan. I don’t know if I can help you, but I’ll offer an opinion, for whatever it’s worth.
Going abroad means having to get a visa to stay legally in a country, which is possible at your age but somewhat of a headache. It also means language barriers. I’m not sure if any of the American greats started off training abroad; there are good facilities in your own country. I’d say stay there. Just choose a few fighters you really respect and find out where they trained, and a few schools which have cranked out good fighers (and good people too…you want to like the kind of person you become, not just the kind of fighter), and make your decision. Decide which style wins fights the most. Tae Kwon Do? No. Muay Thai? Maybe not. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Maybe. The cost of the school should not dissuade you. All you need is food to eat, a roof over your head, and fight training in your life. You can figure something out.
But I’m no expert. Good luck! You have an exciting life ahead of you!