Gear for Mixed Martial Arts
The first step to being the next ultimate fighter, or even if you intend on using mixed martial arts training as a means to get into shape, is to buy quality equipment. The sport can be easily broken down into it’s three main components. This would include stand up striking, ground fighting, and transitions.
To properly learn stand up striking there are many things you are going to need. The first and possibly most important thing you need is a quality set of hand wraps. These need to be utilized during any potential striking exercise to lessen the risk of breaking finger which puts a temporary halt to your progression. The second thing you want to purchase is sixteen ounce gloves and headgear. This will allow you to participate in full contact sparring sessions to help you and your partners improve your boxing skills. A set of muay Thai pads will allow you to incorporate kicks, elbows and knee strikes. These will also help improve your precisions striking capabilities. Finally a set of five ounce MMA gloves will help you to refine your technique in the appropriate gloves.
The transition period spoke of earlier relates to the change from stand up fighting to ground fighting. This is usually done with either a knock down by strikes, a takedown using classic catch wrestling, or a throw using judo techniques. A quality set of knee pads and a padded room help to allow you to work on your technique and control without causing yourself mat burn. It is also advisable to buy a set of headgear to protect your ears. Repeated dance to your ears over a period of time can cause a painful breakdown of the cartilage and is commonly referred to in MMA and wrestling as “cauliflower ear.”
Ground fighting is the aspect of fighting that takes the longest time to gain a comfort level and more fully develop skills, but luckily requires the least equipment. Simply purchase a quality double weave jiu jitsu gi, the classic martial arts uniform, and begin to learn the various techniques employed by BJJ practitioners. The submissions, reversals, defenses, and position moves can all be learned using a single bjj gi.