Test Drive | Page 17

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Do I need to have background in MMA before going to MMA training camp? We agree with Jack of Pro MMA, who noted the successful MMA fighters he encountered came from many different (martial arts) backgrounds. In other words, you don’t necessarily have to start in MMA in order to achieve success in MMA. If you have had training in other martial arts disciplines and interested in carving a career in MMA, signing up at a training camp would only help you to delve into MMA in a faster pace! What background of martial arts disciplines are most beneficial for someone who is interested in becoming aprofessional MMA fighter? Rew of Awakening Fighters believes that an MMA professional fighter would need to have strong abilities in striking, wrestling and submissions. He shared that BJJ and wrestling are the go to skillsets for the ground game. With boxing one would best learn footwork and head movement, whilst Muay Thai enables fast and powerful kicks as well as brutal elbows and knees. Some Judo knowledge can also be highly useful for controlling your opponent. Last but not least, though Kung fu is largely overlooked today, but in terms of flexibility, reaction times and movement, the disciplines in this bracket would easily give a fighter an edge.