Last Updated on Saturday, 02 January 2010 15:42 Written by Administrator Saturday, 07 February 2009 20:44

Countless combative systems have developed and evolved through the stone, iron, agricultural and industrial ages.  Lately, the MMA phenomenon has spread across the world and is definitely here to stay; but it brings with it certain challenges. Briefly, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques, from a mixture of martial arts traditions and non-traditions, to be used in competitions.

As a system or style of martial arts, MMA has no pedigree or lineage to look back on. Over the world, certain 'schools' have simply 'piecemealed' boxing, judo and kickboxing techniques to form a MMA system and have presented it to the public in a disjointed approach.

Firestorm Mixed Martial Arts (FMMA)

At the Firestorm Centre, we have gone about it in a different way. We have recognised the need for a MMA based system to compliment and enhance our club's existing programs, though not in a 'full contact' vein. We have constructed a seamless integration of stand-up, take down and groundwork elements all being designed and trained in such a way that they complement each other to extend the students fitness as well as self-defence capability.

At the Firestorm Centre, we have long been associated with a whole swag of positive traits; such as respect, loyalty, discipline, etc. We embrace the rapidly evolving coaching and training concepts and transpose them to instil a positive and powerful culture of mutual respect on the training floor or mat.

Class format & dress code

Firestorm MMA classes are structured like our other classes.

We start off with a technique-relevant warm-up; the technique delivery part follows and is progressive and highly structured; the safety (both physical and emotional) of students is our highest priority; the class runs for approximately 1 hour; an atmosphere of mutual respect and discipline is encouraged and maintained at all times.

We have a light weight uniform and our system is belt progressive. This allows the student to progress and improve their studies.

Safe practice & positive results

As with all other Firestorm Centre Programs, the MMA class is constructed with the use of highly specialised and correctly designed training methodologies that promote safety and positive results. Creative solutions are employed to deliver highly effective training with virtually no negative impacts.

We adopt a culture of zero-tolerance for injuries and zero-tolerance for negative experiences. No injuries means better attendance; and better attendance means faster skill-acquisition.

Likewise, a positive class experience means better retention, which again means better skill acquisition for the student and a better club atmosphere - a real win-win situation!

At Firestorm we employ a progressive training model; where the instruction is such that techniques are not simply 'thrown out there' for the student to imitate, but delivered via a progressive set of ‘bite-sized' pieces before finally being stitched together at the end. This leads to a better understanding of the technique or combination, but also makes the training experience very safe.

Why should I do FMMA?

FMMA is a system that is primarily focused on close quarter and grappling techniques. On its own, FMMA will give you a sound knowledge of strong stand up fighting, effective entry and clinching and takedown and grappling skills that will promote self confident, self-defence strategies.

If you choose to use FMMA as a complimentary system to your current training, then you will find that FMMA will enhance your overall offence and defence repertoire.

Either way you will be fitter and more open to strategic solutions to defensive situations.