There are many great mixed martial arts gyms in the Oklahoma City area to choose from, but here is some advice to narrow down your choices and make the decision that is right for you:
Find an MMA gym that has experienced instructors in Muay Thai kickboxing. Currently, Muay Thai is the striking style best suited for MMA fighting. This form uses boxing style punches, skin splitting elbows and powerful kicks and knees to delivery pain and punishment to an opponent. This kickboxing style relies on speed, agility, power and timing to execute the many moves that encompasses the style. Training in Muay Thai will improve these attributes in a fighter, as well as increase their stamina, flexibility and toughness. When looking at MMA gyms in Oklahoma City, make sure to find a training center with a large selection of full-sized heavy bags, Thai kick pads, and focus hand mitts. This equipment is necessary for proper Muay Thai training. Also, if you are interested in competitive fighting, ensure that your chosen gym has a roped ring or cage.
Find a training center that offers instruction in Brazilian jujitsu to learn a competent ground game. Brazilian jujitsu, sometimes referred to as Gracie jujitsu, after the famed fighting family who championed the style in the early days of professional MMA, is the style of choice when the fight goes to the ground. Brazilian jujitsu utilizes clever body positioning and holds to control an opponent on the ground, whilst attacking and defending from either the top or bottom position. To finish a fight, jujitsu employs chokes to the neck and joint manipulation to ‘tap out’ or submit an opponent. When searching for a gym in Oklahoma City, ensure to find a place that offers a spacious matted floor area that is well suited for jujitsu rolling. A large workout area is necessary for practicing jujitsu and sparring against other students. Look for a gym with accomplished instructors. Many qualified instructors are belt ranked, so try to train under brown or black belt level practitioners.
Many good MMA gyms teach a variety of fighting styles to their students. A fighter with a large variety of techniques at his or her disposal will have a better chance of winning a fight. Greco-roman wrestling offers MMA practitioners excellent takedown and takedown defense strategies. It is recommended that all serious fighters be familiar with Greco-roman wrestling techniques, such as single and double leg tackles, and various defensive measures. Judo is another style that is beneficial for any MMA fighter. Judo uses hip throws and leg trips that are useful once a fight has gone to the clinch position. A skillful judo practitioner can quickly and violently bring an opponent to the ground whilst remaining in control of their opponent in top position. Traditional martial arts, like karate, taekwondo and kung fu can be useful to the MMA practitioner as well. These styles have techniques that are not always studied by every MMA competitor, thus, a fighter skilled in unorthodox techniques may be able to land a shot without their opponent knowing how to defend properly from it.
MMA clothing has become a hot commodity, and many well known brands can be found in the Oklahoma City area or purchased from online shops. Look for stylish labels like Xteme Couture, Venom MMA, Sinister, Warrior Wear and American Fighter. MMA gloves are also highly in demand. Look for high quality MMA gloves from brands such as Hayabusha, Ouano, Isami and the UFC. MMA gear and equipment from makers Sprawl, WAND and Inspirit are also sold in the Oklahoma City area and surrounding County. Make sure to shop around for the best deals and only buy quality name brand MMA equipment and attire.