www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwZ2RlIVyC4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q2lgCVRZ8w

“My first experience in martial arts was like the first day I went to school in America – I didn’t speak any English. And I’m remembering that my mom – my dad was stuck in Vietnam – my mom dropped me off at school and stayed there as long as she could, and next thing I know she snuck off. I was in a classroom with a bunch of American kids who didn’t speak any Vietnamese, so I just felt abandoned. Going into martial arts, at least my mom sat there and waited for me. But I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’ That’s what I remember. But I wanted to go there. I had just turned ten, and it was like a room full of strangers. Especially being a kid who could speak the language, but didn’t have the best English.”

First, check out the “search” function on FindMMAGym. That should yield some good results. But the prevalence of MMA in the media, and the fact that its presence on television and pay-per-view stretches back almost 20 years, means that you’ll be able to find training opportunities almost everywhere, from stodgy karate dojos to college wrestling rooms to aerobics studios at your local gym.  Thanks to events broadcast on SpikeTV, CBS, Showtime and FOX, everyone is doing it, so if you’re finding trouble locating a dedicated MMA academy, you might have success checking out Craigslist or just strolling into a vanilla martial arts school.

After you’ve put a place in your sights, don’t be shy. Check it out in person. Then, based on what you see, answer the following questions:

• How are the facilities? Are they clean? Or are the dirty? No one wants to get a staph infection, so cleanliness is important.
• Is the instruction viable? Not every school needs to have a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt teaching grappling and a former pro boxer teaching striking. But you do want to have teachers who know what they’re talking about and didn’t just read about it in a book.
• Are the rates affordable? Fifteen years ago, authentic MMA coaching was rare, and therefore pricier. Nowadays, it isn’t so rare, so training costs should be adjusted accordingly.
• Are the people cool? This is, perhaps, one of the most crucial factors to be considered. Why? Because you’re going to be spending time working out with these men and women, and working out hard. If they’re a bunch of dicks, then it won’t be fun – and if training isn’t fun, you’re wasting your time.

There you go. Finding an MMA gym, made easy. Now get out there and start sweating.

If you have a gym that you love and would like to submit it to FindMMAGym, go here.

Pickett is one of the top contenders in his division, owning an overall record of 22-6 including victories over Yves Jabouin, Ivan Menjivar, and Demetrious Johnson. He is also set to scrap with Eddie Wineland on December 29 at UFC 155.

To get in on the goods, interested folks just need to submit a video featuring one of their favorite training techniques.

Check out the G-Form Facebook page for more information on how to enter.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Poirier recently discussed his reasons for moving things from the comforts of his hometown to Florida where he now puts in work at American Top Team.

“It was a hard decision, but we were talking about it before my last fight; we knew it was getting to that time. I didn’t have the guys to show up every day and push me, and I needed to be around top-caliber guys. Tim knew that, and I knew that too,” said Poirier in an interview with the UFC. “That’s not saying that the guys at Gladiators aren’t good, but it’s different when you’re training with those guys and then you get in the cage and fight the best guys in the world. You want to be seeing that on a daily basis. That’s what we knew had to happen, and that’s why I moved here.”

The 12-2 Poirier is set to show off his new skills this weekend when he faces Jonathan Brookins at the Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. The defeat to Jung snapped a five-fight winning streak for “The Diamond” who likely would have earned a title-shot with a victory.

Last year the group formed Power MMA, a MMA gym with a bit of a different style. The gym offers personal training, boxing, BJJ, grappling and of course basketball.

Yes, that’s right basketball. The founders and UFC veterans had hoped to relay the message that Power MMA and Fitness, wasn’t just a gym centralized around those focusing on mixed martial arts, but rather
a place where everyone can go in order to begin, are continue a path to a healthier lifestyle.

Now almost a year and a half after opening its doors the gym is still attracting guests interested in MMA, basketball and fitness alike.

It is a regularity to see Bader, Dollaway and Simpson at the facility as they not only train there full time but also act as instructors.

For those visiting the Phoenix area, or those who reside here it is an experience to see the massive training area. There are heavy bags, an Octagon, cardio equipment, weights, grappling mats and even a
pro area for those that want to get outfitted as they embark on their new or continuing path to better fitness.

Nestled in an unimposing strip mall in east Mesa Arizona is Stand and Command Martial Arts. Where there’s no intimidation factor, no overzealous bully with latent daddy issues waiting to hyper extend your arm, and no attitude. Today we are going to be introduced to Johnny Kapeliela, a new Jiu Jitsu practitioner, who has decided to turn desire into action. Today marks only his 7th lesson. We are also going to chat with his instructor; Blake McClure, in order to get some insight on what new students should expect when beginning Jiu Jitsu.

DS: Johnny, what made you decide to take up a martial art?

JK: For my son initially, then I started getting into it myself as I saw my own progression.

Johnny is an active triathlete, but had absolutely zero background in any sort of grappling, or martial art before walking through the doors at Stand and Command.

DS: Were you intimidated at all when you first came into class?

JK: Yes, just because there were other people that know more, but then you realize they are in the same boat as you, everyone wants to learn.

DS: What’s surprised you most about Jiu Jitsu since you began?

JK: The intricacy of it, repeating drills of each move until it becomes second nature.

Some may be tempted to start learning Jiu Jitsu or another martial art and quickly get discouraged if they aren’t picking up things at a fast pace. Johnny points out that a great deal of time is spent on each individual maneuver, so nuances such as positioning, and transitions can be mastered for strong technique.

DS: How would you gauge the progression since your first lesson?

JK: Steady, I am a quick learner, but sometimes I get caught up in the move and skip steps. So repeating things is necessary.

Unfortunately, some of us get sidetracked by the want for “immediate results”. However, there should be no qualms about having a beginner’s skill level or the need to repeat moves for clarity when learning Jiu Jitsu. After all, the term “art” isn’t associated with Jiu Jitsu by accident.

Blake McClure, a thirteen year practitioner of Jiu Jitsu, was leading the class while I was in attendance. Typically, the class is run by his father; Mike. I stopped to get Blake’s take on those that may be considering getting off the couch and getting on the mats for the first time.

DS: Blake, we always hear about the standard benefits of taking Jiu Jitsu: fitness, self defense, etc. Can you give us a benefit that may be somewhat outside of the norm?

BM: The mental aspect. You can lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to the mats.

Blake went on to say that Jiu Jitsu aids in mental preparedness as well as the physical.

DS: What would you say to those that are “on the fence” about learning Jiu Jitsu but are reluctant?

BM: Just do it. Everyone has their hobby- this could be yours. It’s like not judging a book by its cover; give it a few lessons and several days before you judge it.

The key point being, go into it with a real feel for what is going to happen, but go into it!

In summary, you can go for fitness, fun or for the art itself but just go. I challenge you to do two things; 1) support your local independent MMA training facilities and 2) stop being a spectator and get out there and learn!

By: David “Doc” Schroyer

As with our prior articles we will go three rounds, testing each team’s Team Atmosphere, Management and Quality of Training. So let’s jump right into the fray to see who will be left standing.

In the opening match ups we saw AKA take out Xtreme Couture and ATT send Jackson’s Submission Fighting packing by winning these categories. With these two determined teams going head to head it will be a challenge to come out on top.

Category: Team Atmosphere
Advantage: Draw
Why: When the level of dedication to your team rivals that of dedication to your career it becomes hard to have a clear cut winner between these two gritty and determined teams. Both ATT and AKA may be the bar that other MMA fight teams strive to be at with respect to the professional attitude and respectable manner their fighter’s exude for the individual teams.

This one is too close to call.

Now that we’ve got an even first round, let’s see if we can’t get a more decisive victor in round two. If you were asked to name 5 stars from both AKA and ATT could you do it? Could the MMA layperson? What about ten? I ask this because now we need to decide whose management does a better job at things like fighter exposure, and endorsements?

It could be argued that more so than their respective camps the fighters that call both ATT and AKA their homes have done more fight-wise to build their own brand than their management/affiliation through ATT and AKA. I’m tempted to say we know of these fighters not because they promote flashy MMA fight gear or hold lucrative contracts with other sponsors. We know these fighters because of their ability to win and skill within the cage or Octagon.

Of course, that’s not necessarily a bad thing- that shows both team’s members have a gritty dedication- which they’ve built their reputations with. But it doesn’t speak so well to the management affiliation through each camp.

Category: Management
Advantage: Draw
Why: I hate to do this two rounds in a row, but I just can’t see a clear cut winner here. Neither team really has an advantage in the management category. This one will be decided in the third.

Now we are down to the final round, in the final face off; quality of training. I’ll give a disclaimer on this one; truthfully I believe both clubs have a myriad of talent in coaching, training and fighters. Perhaps between the two schools, you’d be hard pressed to find a school with a more diverse or deep level of talent to hone your MMA skills with/against.

Category: Quality of Training
Advantage: American Top Team
Why: ATT has veterans and rookies alike, most of them versed in any and every discipline you could ever want in a place that’s training you how to do MMA as a career or even recreationally. Don’t get me wrong, AKA has this too, but American Top Team has more of it. Team members span from 1 year of professional experience all the way up to thirty years through their member and staff rosters.

Advantage Overall: American Top Team
Why: It was as thin as razor-thin can be but American Top Team put American Kickboxing Academy away in the final round due to their abundance of talent with what may be the most important aspect of MMA; the training.

So there you have it, the top of the heap, best of the best title goes to American Top Team.
I thank you for following along in the fun over the past few weeks as we’ve compared these high-caliber teams. And for those of you that have just been browsing and came across this article please feel free to review the ones that led up to this championship final!

By: David “Doc” Schroyer

In previous weeks we’ve seen ATT best the group at Jackson’s Submission Fighting and Team Quest come out ahead versus those at Brazilian Top Team. In our second semi final bout, who will reign supreme?

Because we have Team Quest represented here we are certainly going to indulge in some additional completely-not-ever-actually-said-by Chael Sonnen quotes. To start us off I caught up with Chael Sonnen (no I didn’t) to ask him about Team Quest’s atmosphere as a supportive team structure and he had the following to say: “You know at Quest my friends, brothers and compatriots in Oregon we start the day with a hearty breakfast of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belts- the black belts are too crunchy- and then clean our teeth with a redwood.” (*Note: this is in no way an actual Sonnen quote)

Great Chael, not sure what that has to do with the level of camaraderie you have within Team Quest but…uh, thanks? At any rate ATT has a great level of respect amongst its fighters, with little aforementioned history of any squabbles that would break that bond. Much the same can be said for Team Quest, although fighters have left both camps it has only been to expand on their own skills, and not due to any internal struggles amongst fellow competitors.

Category: Team Atmosphere
Advantage: Draw
Why: Much as with comparing Team Quest and BTT, there’s just not a lot of weight to throw around in regards to who overall has the best team mentality. That being said both groups are well respected by the MMA community at large and seem to have no issues with internal struggles between their athletes.

Oh, what’s that Chael? Yes, certainly you can comment on the management within the two teams: “Team Quest’s management is untouchable- similar to Vitor Belfort trying to connect with me in the Octagon. Just look at me I’m more famous than most religious deities,” stated Chael (but not really because this quote is completely fabricated and intended for only entertainment purposes).

Alright, now that we have Sonnen’s take…At this level, with the groups we’ve showcased thus far, we already know that there are bound to be legendary fighters on both teams. If we are going by sheer numbers ATT far outmatches Team Quest in this area. However, relying only on active members of each team’s roster it would seem Team Quest clearly has more talent with household or near-household name status.

Category: Management
Advantage: Team Quest
Why: While you may be able to chalk it up to Sonnen’s panache for attracting attention to himself- (at least over the past few years) or the relatively longer careers of those within Team Quest, ATT has a more sizable roster but that won’t get them the win here. As with the more fame (or infamy) you have, the more checks with your name on them you begin to see.

It has often been said; “Find one thing you’re good at and do it well.” Of course we know that doesn’t work in MMA, or at least not in the long term. So who is the top dog between TQ and ATT in the level of training they provide?

Category: Quality of Training
Advantage: ATT
Why: I just don’t see any other way around this…ATT comes out ahead on this one. Not to leave out coaching staff, but with the variety of fighters from every discipline at ATT the prospective level of training goes up exponentially.
Advantage Overall: ATT

Why: ATT hasn’t dominated here, but they have enough momentum in their favor that they can make it past Team Quest to advance. Though it was a close one, due to the level of competition that ATT can deliver in-Octagon (or ring, or cage) they are able to pull ahead of TQ in the final round and come away with a split decision victory.

Alright well there you have it, with the outcome of this one that means we will be seeing talent at A.K.A. take on the fighters of the renowned American Top Team for the title of best overall MMA fight team!