There’s no sugar coating it – MMA is extremely hard to learn. With that being said, whilst MMA is a complex sport with a lot of different moves and strategies, it can be learned by anyone if they put in the time and effort.
The reason why MMA is so difficult to learn is that it is not just one martial art that you need to get to grips with. You will be learning most martial arts such as Muay Thai, Karate, Boxing, Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu to name a few.
MMA can be divided into three different disciplines, stand up fighting, clinch fighting and the other being ground fighting.
Stand up fighting features punches, kicks, knees and elbows from a standing position which includes martial arts like Muay Thai, Karate, and Boxing.
Clinch fighting is part of stand up fighting where the fighters have each other in clinch holds and are grappling. Martial arts that focus on clinch fighting are Amateur Wrestling, Sambo and Lethwei.
Ground fighting is where the combatants are on the ground and using holds to force the opponent into submission. The martial arts that focus on ground fighting are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Judo & Wrestling.
How Difficult Is MMA To Learn?
As described above MMA is very difficult to learn because of the many martial art disciplines that it incorporates. This makes MMA one of the hardest sports to learn.
First of all, in MMA there are many complex moves that can take years to master. The focus of MMA is not on one single discipline like boxing, but instead it requires the competitors to have many different skills.
You will have to learn and master striking, clinch and grappling techniques that are included in a whole range of martial arts.
After mastering the technical aspects, you must then also develop their muscle memory and fitness level which can take an even longer time. MMA requires high cardio stamina as well as strength.
Finally, when you are ready to step into the ring, you must put in hours and hours of sparring and actual fighting in order to be prepared for a competition.
In short MMA is a combative sport that requires high levels of skill and athleticism, and is difficult to become proficient in.
If you are up for the challenge of a good workout then MMA could be for you. Beginner classes are available at most MMA gyms and with experienced instructors you will pick up the basics in a few months. Not to mention that it’s great fun.
How Long Does It Take To Learn MMA?
MMA is one of the most popular sports in the world. It can also be one of the most challenging to learn. Every year, thousands of people enroll in MMA classes to learn how to train and compete. Learning MMA can greatly improve your fitness level, self-confidence, and coordination.
MMA is a complex sport and takes much longer to learn than single martial arts like boxing or wrestling because there are so many more techniques and strategies. It takes time to learn, but the time it takes will depend on an individual.
If you have previous experience in a martial art then you will be able to learn MMA in two to three years. If you have no previous experience then it will take longer with at least five years of training before you will master all of the basics. This is based on training three times a week for an hour at a time.
This is a rough guide and everybody is different, you may be a natural and pick the skills up easily. Or you may need more time to become confident enough to compete. Just remember that if you keep training you will get better, so don’t give up.
Can You Start MMA With No Experience?
Yes, you can start to train MMA with no experience. Everyone has to start somewhere, the important thing is to start. Most MMA gyms have experienced instructors that offer beginner classes so you can learn the basics with others at the same level.
A newbie to the world of MMA might be hesitant to start with no experience. But there are many benefits to getting started with MMA at any level, from training from home to doing your first fight.
There are many self-proclaimed “MMA schools” popping up all over the world, but it’s very important to do your research before investing any money into such a school. Be sure to read any reviews you can find first, you can even ask to watch a class first so you can get a better idea of if MMA is for you.
If you don’t want to start MMA with no experience you can try training in another form of combat arts such as boxing or BJJ can help you develop the necessary skills and conditioning before taking on this kind of intense physical and mental challenge. If you want to know more about what it takes to start MMA with no experience, then keep reading.
Final Thoughts
MMA is a tough sport to learn and if you are starting from scratch it can take up to five years before you can call yourself advanced. Even though it is difficult to learn, there are a lot of benefits in doing so.
Logan
Hi, I've been an avid MMA fan all my life. I've been training in martial arts for the last 5 years and wanted to share some of the tips and tricks that I've picked up along the way to help to aspiring martial artists get started.
