The shattering of my ego has never felt so empowering. And Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been a big part of this.
My introduction to the sport came in my late teens. It featured a much-anticipated fight between Don Frye and Yoshihiro Takayama at the 2002 Pride 21 Fighting Championships (FC).
I wasn’t a big fan of MMA. But this particular event had a lot of buzz and piqued my interest. I decided to tune in.
Following a rousing introduction by the Japanese announcer, the fighters walked towards each other, staring with a war-like intensity. Once the bell rang, chaos ensued.
The two engaged in one of the most intense back-and-forths I’ve ever witnessed, pummeling each other with vicious haymakers and thunderous blows.
By the 5th minute, Frye’s face was bloodied and Takayama’s eyes were nearly swollen shut, his face discolored and severely bruised.
It seemed brutal: No technique. No defense. No strategy. No skill. Just a barbaric slugfest.
I decided then that the sport just wasn’t for me. However, I was lured back years later – this time by the emphatic arrival of Irish star Conor “The Notorious” McGregor.
McGregor was among a slew of up-and-coming stars seeking glory. But in a room full of relentless competitors, he stuck out.
He was engaging. Audacious. Entertaining. Witty. Flamboyant. But most importantly, he backed up his trash talk, finishing elite fighters with a swift karate-style grace and ease. My fascination with the sport was ignited once again.
Becoming a Student
As time went by, I became obsessed with Martial Arts. I started to appreciate the virtuosity of different techniques. Whether it was the sleek defensive movements, jiu jitsu, and boxing of Anderson Silva or the high-level grappling and striking artistry of George St-Pierre.
MMA became very much like a science to me. I had turned into a voracious student, eager to learn and experience. I was ready to take a class.
I eventually attended my first kickboxing session at a local UFC gym with a coworker, a former Muay Thai fighter. We did a series of activities including kicking and punching drills on the bag, light striking exchanges with a partner, and MMA conditioning workouts.
I was frustrated at first. I naively thought my athletic skills would put me on a path to quick success. This was not the case.
I struggled to strike with the technique, power, and precision for which I had hoped. It was clear it was going to be a long process.
I continued to work on my skills over the next couple of years, taking in-person and online classes. I was happy with my progress in kickboxing so I decided to learn jiu jitsu. This proved to be an even bigger challenge.
I’ve never been much of a wrestler or grappler. Kickboxing felt more natural as I had spent years honing my kicking skills and leg strength as a soccer player.
But while Jiu jitsu presented steep challenges, it proved to be a worthy and rewarding endeavor.
There was a compelling and fascinating component I noticed immediately: the importance of technique and IQ.
If you have these assets, you can submit a person who is stronger, bigger, and more athletic. But since I was on the opposite side of this, it meant I’d have to get accustomed to losing repeatedly and often times getting submitted by a person of smaller stature before attaining any type of success. This was a tough mental hurdle to overcome, mainly because of my ego.
Another compelling part of my experience is I’ve become sensitive to the reality that I’m more helpless than I ever conceived. And that a person of superior grappling skills can nullify me so simply and effortlessly. This is humbling beyond belief.
Learning Valuable Lessons
Taking MMA classes has had a holistic impact on my life. I’ve become more introspective, meditative, reflective, patient, and found ways to push myself beyond physical and mental barriers.
I’ve come to deeply understand the significance of humility, embracing the practice of setting aside my own ego for the betterment of the collective.
This has allowed me to fully appreciate the importance of being an active member of a community of learners, all driven by a shared eagerness to evolve, improve, and seek empowerment in the face of internal and physical struggles.
My MMA journey has been incredibly enlightening, shaping my perspective on the value of collaboration, empathy, and continuous personal development.
Benefits of Mixed Martial Arts Training
For those interested in embarking on their own MMA training journey, I’ve listed some physical and mental health benefits I gathered from my own experiences.
Community Driven
MMA is great at providing a warm community to lean on for physical fitness and inspiration. You’ll find that being part of a group of eager learners with similar aspirations and goals can help keep you on track and push you through the hard times.
Improved Fitness
Be prepared to work your butt off! MMA provides a great full-body workout that combines cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises; helping you to quickly shed calories, increase muscle tone, and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
Enhanced Self-Defense Skills
One of the greatest aspects of martial arts is the different fighting techniques and skills you learn, whether it’s punching, kicking, striking, grappling, boxing, or wrestling. MMA provides a strong education in a variety of disciplines; giving you the confidence and skills to defend yourself in real-life situations.
Increased Discipline and Focus
Another great thing about MMA is it requires a high level of discipline and focus to master different techniques. This can often translate into other aspects of your life, helping you to stay focused and achieve your goals in a variety of areas, including at school, work, and in many social situations.
Increased Self-Confidence
As you progress in your training, you may start to develop a higher sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. This can lead to tremendous growth points, including the ability to overcome challenges and improvements to your overall well-being.
Stress Relief
If you’re having a bad day or just need a positive release, MMA is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. Since the physical demands of the sport are so high, this helps shift your focus away from the daily grinds of life; allowing you to free your mind, feel rejuvenated, and get to a place of calm and inner peace.
Research Findings on Benefits of Martial Arts
The benefits of MMA are further evident in academic studies and research.
In one particular study measuring the combined impact of mixed martial arts (MMA) and one-to-one psychotherapy on the mental health of young males, it found that MMA “provided structure and fitness for at-risk males, while the counseling was pivotal for personal growth.”
It further found that “improved relationships, work life, and self-esteem were also observed” and that the sport “provides an acceptable doorway to psychotherapy, providing space to explore personal issues.”
In a study published by the National Library of Medicine, it found that young children who participated in the martial art of judo achieved physical feats such as “higher values of bone mineral density than the control individuals” as the “relationship between quantity of weekly training and bone mineral density was significant among adolescents engaged in judo and kung-fu.”
Final Thoughts
So what do you think about taking an MMA class? Do you think you’d be interested in doing it one day? Do you have your own experiences you want to share? Let me know in the comments below!
About the Author
I’m a communication coach, award-winning technical content communicator, music producer, songwriter, blogger, professor, and sports aficionado.
For communication advice, uplifting musical content, thought-provoking interviews, and blog content, join me at: https://anietiecommunity.com/why-i-started-this-community/.
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