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I began training for MMA 2 weeks ago and wanted to write about my journey.
I have been an MMA fan since UFC 1 (when I was in high school). I was never able to get them on pay per view but I watched all of them from rented tapes at Block Buster. It was after the fact but I had no idea who had won, lost, etc.
I hated Joyce Gracie for his boring fights. I would rather someone stand and bang then roll on the mat and submit someone. I still enjoy standing and banging but have a lot of respect for the wrestlers and BJJ practitioners.
Anywho, it’s about 15 years later and I’m 30. I’ve always played sports and worked out but haven’t really trained in MMA (I did a brief stint a couple years back for a few months). I’m 6’2” and about 198lbs currently and feel like I’m in pretty good shape.
There is a gym close to my house and work and SidRon (from the forums) works with me and is now my trainer. Since I’m married and have 2 kids it’s very hard to do anything but we have been going during lunch so it works out good.
Back to the thinking I’m in shape thing. I’ve only been doing it 2 weeks but I only needed the first time to realize I’m not in good shape (only good shape compared to my friends; which isn’t saying too much). I quickly found out and SidRon likes reminding me looking like you have muscles and functional strength are two completely different things. Said simply, doing curls and bench pressing doesn’t translate into much more than filling out a shirt. I have some strength but not a lot of functional strength on the mat.
My first training session was with SidRon and another guy we work with; I will call him the human wrecking ball. SidRon is about 6’0” 250lbs (not all muscle) and the wrecking ball is about 5’9” and 210 (mostly muscle). They had fun tossing me around the gym. We rotated out doing 3 minute rounds. I wanted them to teach me some moves before grappling but SidRon says you learn the best by doing, so that’s what we did.
I got tooled around the octagon (yes, they have an octagon at the gym) for about an hour and then left. I was sore for about a week and a half. The next week it was SidRon and myself and a cop that had been training for a couple months (he was about my same size but looked more jacked). We rotated grappling each other in 5 minute intervals this time.
SidRon continued to beat me to a pulp but I wasn’t as bad against the other newbie. I was able to get up on occasion from guard and mount. He did submit me several times but the last time I was able to get away and when he shot for me again I got him in a guillotine choke hold and made him tap. Fortunately that was the last round and I was able to leave with a moral victory.
I had to ice my neck for 2 hours afterwards. I realized I have a weak neck and it’s certainly not used to be twisted like it does during training. I can’t wait to build up some strength because the headaches afterwards suck.
I actually only trained twice in the last two weeks but I’m hoping to go twice a week. SidRon reminds me if I want to get better I need to commit myself more. For now two times a week is a pretty big commitment. I’m enjoying getting my ass beat but I hope to be showing some improvement in the next couple weeks. I will keep you updated on my progress.
I'll give you some credit...there is like 10 million different Gracie's, lol
Good on you though for takin what little free time you have and putting it towards bettering yourslef, as for me...I'm itchin for some action after this next knee surgery
____________________ Some people spend their whole lives wondering if they've made a difference. Marines don't have that problem - JFK
Oh yeah, and SidRon may not be all muscle, but he does have muscle and can school me at anytime. I had to add that, he didn't like the "not all muscle" comment.
