To be successful in combat, it’s essential to master a variety of disciplines. Each combatant needs to have at least a basic understanding of one grappling and one striking technique. What makes MMA so thrilling for spectators and participants alike is the constant interaction with various opponents, each boasting unique skills. For instance, one could be combating a boxing specialist in one match, and in the next, face an opponent skilled in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
There are four main disciplines that fighters learn when they start getting into MMA. These four martial arts include boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling. By learning all four of these styles, you will surely become prepared to face any opponent. Each of these styles has something unique that they offer. Here’s a breakdown of all 4 of these martial arts.
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Boxing
If you’ve never fought or practiced martial arts before, then boxing should be your starting point. Although this discipline consists of “basic moves,” it’s still an extremely complex sport. You should never underestimate how strong and clever a boxer can be. In case you’re new to martial arts, then you should know that boxing is much more than simply throwing punches.
In fact, this sport will require you to be on your toes at all times. In order to be successful in boxing you will need to get your technique, footwork, and reflexes in order. Although strength can be a plus, it doesn’t determine who the winner will be in a boxing match.
While some people think that boxing is about throwing punches, it’s much more about learning how to take punches and keep going. All successful boxers have impeccable endurance, which is one of the most important skills that you will take away from this discipline.
One of the main things that boxing will teach you is endurance, how to take punches, and how to outsmart your opponent while standing up. While boxing, you will constantly have to look whether you’re able to sneak a punch in. Although you will have a chance to use a lot of different skills and techniques in an MMA fight, sometimes the only thing you need to win a match are two quick, strong hands.
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Muay Thai
Muay Thai is considered to be one of the oldest fighting styles in the world. Although it is somewhat simple, it’s an extremely brutal style, which is why it’s one of the essential disciplines in MMA. MMA fighters that have mastered Muay Thai have a number of impressive moves at their disposal like elbow strikes, knee strikes, leg-level roundhouse kicks, and clinching.
Learning Muay Thai will also make you an effective fighter at close range, since it will teach you how to properly deliver knee strikes to your opponent’s face or solar plexus. On top of that, you will learn how to do elbow slashes, which can often lead to a TKO victory.
Apart from learning some sweet moves, Muay Thai will also provide you with a brutal mindset, which is essential for every MMA fighter to have. This discipline will teach you how to do some serious damage, and will surely help you win your next fight. So slip on some muay thai gloves and get training.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
If you’re on the ground and are not in the position to stand up, you’ll need to do everything that’s in your power to continue fighting. One of the approaches you can take when you’re on the ground is the “ground ‘n’ pound” approach, which involves you taking a dominant position and then striking your partner as much as you can. If you’re not able to do this approach, then the fight will most likely end with a submission.
Knowing how to fight while on the ground is extremely important, and this is where Brazilian jiu-jitsu comes in. This discipline will teach you how to properly defend yourself and take control of the fight when you’re not standing up. This is a crucial fighting style for MMA, which means that you will surely be learning it as soon as you start taking MMA classes.
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Wrestling
While boxing and Muay Thai were more focused on striking, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling are disciplines that will teach you how to defend yourself without strikes or while on the ground. Wrestling is a martial art with an extremely long history, but thanks to its practical use, it’s still around today. Wrestling is a discipline that will help you learn how to take down your opponent.
One of the reasons why wrestling is so crucial in the world of MMA is because it will improve your physical strength, make you more aggressive, and teach you how to be more explosive. Just like boxers, wrestlers are known for their impressive stamina.
