MMA Shirts Show Allegiance
May 15th, 2009 by admin
If you are a fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), you probably have a favorite fighter in some of the more legendary rivalries. Who is your guy? A great way to let the world know where your allegiance lies is by wearing MMA shirts that feature an image or logo for your favorite fighter.
A tshirt that has your favorite fighter on it is not the same thing as a concert shirt, though you might notice that these fighters are filling arenas faster than the newest has been rock star can. Instead, MMA shirts are more like football jerseys. They do not say, this is who I like but this is who I like, do you have a problem with that? As a fashion item, they are quietly confrontational and wearing one almost dares a fan of a rival to stand up for his fighter the way that you are standing up for yours.
When an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) battle is taking place, you can bet that both fighters are looking out into the crowd for the support of their fans. The ability of them to see their own snarling face looking back at them from a shirt on your chest tells them without a word who you hope is about to win the bout that day. A show of support such as this can make the difference in the morale of that fighter to push them a little harder when they are not sure they can go on. It can mean the difference between a win and a loss in a close fight.
What if your fighter loses? These are human beings, and he probably does not feel great about himself the next day. But if you are in Las Vegas or Los Angeles for a big fight and your guy ends up losing, what better way to lift his spirits than to walk down the street proudly wearing a shirt with his image on it? He may be looking out his hotel room window and see that he has not lost his fans despite losing his fight, and you could be the one who makes a difference in how that day goes, how that week goes, and ultimately how his image of himself remains strong and confident in the face of what would otherwise feel like failure.
Plus, the shirts themselves are really cool. That alone is reason enough to own one.
By: Phoenix Delray
About the Author:
A tshirt that has your favorite fighter on it is not the same thing as a concert shirt, though you might notice that these fighters are filling arenas faster than the newest has been rock star can. Instead, MMA shirts are more like football jerseys. They do not say, this is who I like but this is who I like, do you have a problem with that? As a fashion item, they are quietly confrontational and wearing one almost dares a fan of a rival to stand up for his fighter the way that you are standing up for yours.
When an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) battle is taking place, you can bet that both fighters are looking out into the crowd for the support of their fans. The ability of them to see their own snarling face looking back at them from a shirt on your chest tells them without a word who you hope is about to win the bout that day. A show of support such as this can make the difference in the morale of that fighter to push them a little harder when they are not sure they can go on. It can mean the difference between a win and a loss in a close fight.
What if your fighter loses? These are human beings, and he probably does not feel great about himself the next day. But if you are in Las Vegas or Los Angeles for a big fight and your guy ends up losing, what better way to lift his spirits than to walk down the street proudly wearing a shirt with his image on it? He may be looking out his hotel room window and see that he has not lost his fans despite losing his fight, and you could be the one who makes a difference in how that day goes, how that week goes, and ultimately how his image of himself remains strong and confident in the face of what would otherwise feel like failure.
Plus, the shirts themselves are really cool. That alone is reason enough to own one.
By: Phoenix Delray
About the Author:
To know more about MMA Shirts and how they show allegiance, please visit our website.
Chuck Liddell - The Iceman of MMA
May 15th, 2009 by admin
One of the most well known names in the world of mixed martial arts is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, more simply referred to as the UFC. The UFC has been a place for many fighters to show their skills and gain fame as professional fighters. One of the more prominent names in the sport of UFC is Chuck Liddell.
Liddell started his martial arts training at age 12. Liddell fights out of San Luis Obispo, California. He is a California born and raised fighter. He went to college at California Polytechnic State University where he wrestled and graduated with a major in accounting. Despite his accounting degree, Liddell worked as a bouncer and bartender before he started his full-time fighting career.
Chuck made his first appearance in the UFC in 1998 fighting in UFC 17. He made his way up the ranks and by 2002, Liddell was the number one contender for the light heavyweight title, which was held by the controversial Tito Ortiz. Liddell and Ortiz had trained together at the Pitfight Club and had a falling out. Ortiz was unwilling to give Liddell a shot at the title, so Liddell was instead scheduled to fight Randy Couture, a veteran of the UFC and former heavyweight champion.
Liddell lost to Couture and Couture later beat Ortiz and became the light heavyweight champion. It was only after Ortiz lost the title that Liddell finally got to fight his bitter rival. In UFC 47, Liddell knocked Ortiz out with a series of brutal punches to claim victory for himself.
In UFC 52, Liddell once faced off against the veteran fighter and light heavyweight champion, Randy Couture. This time, Liddell knocked out Couture and claimed the light heavyweight title. Couture announced his retirement following his loss of the title. Liddell successfully defended the light heavyweight title four more times before he lost the belt to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in UFC 71. Liddell had held the light heavyweight champion belt for just over two years.
Chuck Liddell is considered one of the most dangerous men in the UFC. This is partly due to his unconventional fighting style. Liddell is trained in Karate-Do, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, wrestling and kickboxing. He holds a black belt and is very dangerous both on his feet and on the mat. Liddell fights in a very relaxed style that is disconcerting to his opponents and makes his actions hard to anticipate.
His “hands down” approach to fighting makes for intense and exciting fights. This has contributed greatly to his popularity in the sport of mixed martial arts among the many fans. Liddell is one of the most widely recognized and well liked competitors in the UFC. Liddell has supreme knockout power that ensures that the majority of his victories are won by knockouts rather than by the judges’ decision.
When the UFC launched their reality series in 2005, titled The Ultimate Fighter, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture were chosen to be coaches for the two teams of up and coming mixed martial arts fighters. At that time, Randy Couture held the belt for the light heavyweight division, and Liddell was promised a shot at the belt following the conclusion of the reality series.
Both of the finalists from The Ultimate Fighter were members of Team Liddell and were given contracts to fight with the UFC. Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin were the winners of the reality series and both went on to make a name for them with the UFC. Liddell was indeed granted a fight to Couture where Liddell won in a first round knockout, and Couture subsequently retired.
Part of Liddell’s widespread recognition in the UFC is due to his media coverage. Liddell is a poster child for one of the top sponsor’s of the UFC, Xyience Energy Drinks. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to appear on the cover of ESPN Magazine. He has since founded his own clothing brand and made appearances on several TV talk shows and magazine covers. Chuck Liddell doesn’t plan on going anywhere and intends to keep fighting in the UFC.
By: Adrian Adams
About the Author:
Liddell started his martial arts training at age 12. Liddell fights out of San Luis Obispo, California. He is a California born and raised fighter. He went to college at California Polytechnic State University where he wrestled and graduated with a major in accounting. Despite his accounting degree, Liddell worked as a bouncer and bartender before he started his full-time fighting career.
Chuck made his first appearance in the UFC in 1998 fighting in UFC 17. He made his way up the ranks and by 2002, Liddell was the number one contender for the light heavyweight title, which was held by the controversial Tito Ortiz. Liddell and Ortiz had trained together at the Pitfight Club and had a falling out. Ortiz was unwilling to give Liddell a shot at the title, so Liddell was instead scheduled to fight Randy Couture, a veteran of the UFC and former heavyweight champion.
Liddell lost to Couture and Couture later beat Ortiz and became the light heavyweight champion. It was only after Ortiz lost the title that Liddell finally got to fight his bitter rival. In UFC 47, Liddell knocked Ortiz out with a series of brutal punches to claim victory for himself.
In UFC 52, Liddell once faced off against the veteran fighter and light heavyweight champion, Randy Couture. This time, Liddell knocked out Couture and claimed the light heavyweight title. Couture announced his retirement following his loss of the title. Liddell successfully defended the light heavyweight title four more times before he lost the belt to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in UFC 71. Liddell had held the light heavyweight champion belt for just over two years.
Chuck Liddell is considered one of the most dangerous men in the UFC. This is partly due to his unconventional fighting style. Liddell is trained in Karate-Do, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, wrestling and kickboxing. He holds a black belt and is very dangerous both on his feet and on the mat. Liddell fights in a very relaxed style that is disconcerting to his opponents and makes his actions hard to anticipate.
His “hands down” approach to fighting makes for intense and exciting fights. This has contributed greatly to his popularity in the sport of mixed martial arts among the many fans. Liddell is one of the most widely recognized and well liked competitors in the UFC. Liddell has supreme knockout power that ensures that the majority of his victories are won by knockouts rather than by the judges’ decision.
When the UFC launched their reality series in 2005, titled The Ultimate Fighter, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture were chosen to be coaches for the two teams of up and coming mixed martial arts fighters. At that time, Randy Couture held the belt for the light heavyweight division, and Liddell was promised a shot at the belt following the conclusion of the reality series.
Both of the finalists from The Ultimate Fighter were members of Team Liddell and were given contracts to fight with the UFC. Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin were the winners of the reality series and both went on to make a name for them with the UFC. Liddell was indeed granted a fight to Couture where Liddell won in a first round knockout, and Couture subsequently retired.
Part of Liddell’s widespread recognition in the UFC is due to his media coverage. Liddell is a poster child for one of the top sponsor’s of the UFC, Xyience Energy Drinks. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to appear on the cover of ESPN Magazine. He has since founded his own clothing brand and made appearances on several TV talk shows and magazine covers. Chuck Liddell doesn’t plan on going anywhere and intends to keep fighting in the UFC.
By: Adrian Adams
About the Author:
Visit our MMA Forums at http://www.mmaplayground.com/forums/
Should Kids Train in Mixed Martial Arts?
May 15th, 2009 by admin
Senator John McCain called it “human cockfighting.” Others have referred to it as a ferocious, no holds barred, bare-knuckled street fight. Are these accurate assessments of mixed martial arts (MMA)? And given that many people share these impressions, should children be encouraged to participate in the training?
During the past decade, MMA has become explosively popular. The sport has also become a focal point of controversy. It has polarized society into two distinct camps: those who are drawn to it and those who are horrified by it. Meanwhile, an increasing number of parents have begun enrolling their kids into mixed martial arts classes, igniting a growing surge of protests.
In this article, we’ll explore the issue of whether children should train in MMA. We’ll take a closer look at how society perceives the sport and the fallacy of a commonly-held fear about it. I’ll explain the risks involved as well as the potential benefits young people stand to gain from participating.
Battling A Societal Trend
Critics of the sport argue that it feeds into a growing societal lust for violence. Further, they contend that encouraging young people to participate not only introduces them to that violence, but teaches them to revel in it. To be sure, mixed martial arts has earned a reputation for brutality. However, much of that reputation is due to its earliest incarnation when rules were all but non-existent. In truth, the sport has changed dramatically over the last several years.
Dispelling A Common Fear
One of the most prevalent concerns about involving kids in MMA training is that doing so creates a tendency toward violent behavior. That is, kids will become more willing to resolve problems violently. It’s worth noting that this is a common fear that many parents have about karate, Aikido, and Taekwondo classes. However, evidence has shown that such training has the opposite effect.
Rather than encouraging violence, mixed martial arts training inspires discipline and respect. As one 8-year-old MMA student recently explained to the popular television show 20/20, “We’re not in there to hurt each other. We’re all friends here. We’re just in there to have fun and learn.”
Risk Of Injury
Critics also argue that there is an increased likelihood of serious injury during MMA training. This claim requires a closer inspection of the sport. Indeed, there is a risk of injury involved. But, it’s important to place this risk in the proper context. According to statistics released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), basketball, baseball, cycling, and football resulted in nearly 1 million child emergency room visits in 1998 alone. Other youth sports were responsible for hundreds of thousands more.
This is not to suggest that mixed martial arts for kids is without risk. Rather, my point is to clarify that all sports involve an element of risk for children. Presuming that MMA presents an extreme hazard is inconsistent with existing evidence.
How Young People Benefit
As noted above, kids tend to develop a stronger sense of discipline and respect as a result of participating in mixed martial arts classes. And while there will always be individual children who stray from the norm, most will never use their fighting skills outside the gym. In fact, they’re taught to avoid doing so.
Should you enroll your kids in MMA training? It’s a matter of preference given your goals and those of your child. The important thing to realize is that much of the fear that surrounds the sport is baseless. Like all martial arts training, it can help children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.
By: Frank Lucer
About the Author:
During the past decade, MMA has become explosively popular. The sport has also become a focal point of controversy. It has polarized society into two distinct camps: those who are drawn to it and those who are horrified by it. Meanwhile, an increasing number of parents have begun enrolling their kids into mixed martial arts classes, igniting a growing surge of protests.
In this article, we’ll explore the issue of whether children should train in MMA. We’ll take a closer look at how society perceives the sport and the fallacy of a commonly-held fear about it. I’ll explain the risks involved as well as the potential benefits young people stand to gain from participating.
Battling A Societal Trend
Critics of the sport argue that it feeds into a growing societal lust for violence. Further, they contend that encouraging young people to participate not only introduces them to that violence, but teaches them to revel in it. To be sure, mixed martial arts has earned a reputation for brutality. However, much of that reputation is due to its earliest incarnation when rules were all but non-existent. In truth, the sport has changed dramatically over the last several years.
Dispelling A Common Fear
One of the most prevalent concerns about involving kids in MMA training is that doing so creates a tendency toward violent behavior. That is, kids will become more willing to resolve problems violently. It’s worth noting that this is a common fear that many parents have about karate, Aikido, and Taekwondo classes. However, evidence has shown that such training has the opposite effect.
Rather than encouraging violence, mixed martial arts training inspires discipline and respect. As one 8-year-old MMA student recently explained to the popular television show 20/20, “We’re not in there to hurt each other. We’re all friends here. We’re just in there to have fun and learn.”
Risk Of Injury
Critics also argue that there is an increased likelihood of serious injury during MMA training. This claim requires a closer inspection of the sport. Indeed, there is a risk of injury involved. But, it’s important to place this risk in the proper context. According to statistics released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), basketball, baseball, cycling, and football resulted in nearly 1 million child emergency room visits in 1998 alone. Other youth sports were responsible for hundreds of thousands more.
This is not to suggest that mixed martial arts for kids is without risk. Rather, my point is to clarify that all sports involve an element of risk for children. Presuming that MMA presents an extreme hazard is inconsistent with existing evidence.
How Young People Benefit
As noted above, kids tend to develop a stronger sense of discipline and respect as a result of participating in mixed martial arts classes. And while there will always be individual children who stray from the norm, most will never use their fighting skills outside the gym. In fact, they’re taught to avoid doing so.
Should you enroll your kids in MMA training? It’s a matter of preference given your goals and those of your child. The important thing to realize is that much of the fear that surrounds the sport is baseless. Like all martial arts training, it can help children develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.
By: Frank Lucer
About the Author:
The Dojo of Karate combines the ancient art of Wado-Ryu Karate with modern teaching methods in a conveniently located Denver karate school.
Mma Workout - Strength Training
May 15th, 2009 by admin
Copyright (c) 2008 Derek Dreger
Mixed Martial Arts is a sport that requires an athlete to be in great physical strenght. Throwing powerful strikes, and being able to manipulate your opponent’s position requires tremendous physical strength and endurance. Strength training for MMA not only involves training the muscles to produce greater effort, but also to produce that effort longer under extreme physiological conditions.
Even if you are not a mixed martial arts compettitor, training like one will have drastic beneficial effects on your body and health. We all know great cardio reduces the stresses on our heart, and having power allows us to complete physical tasks easier… But the one benefit that will be most rewarding, is looking great naked.
This workout will push you beyond your limits, and make you pray to God that it will end soon. Many athletes complete something similar to this, but as their caliber of physical conditioning increases, so does the workload they undertake with each workout.
This workout will hit all major muscle groups and should be completed about two or three times a week allowing two full days of recovery in between each session. Not only will you be getting a strength workout, but you will also be training your muscles to produce effort longer, and to push through with high levels of lactic acid present.
We will be doing 3 circuits total with 3 minutes rest after each circuit. Each exercise in the circuit is timed and your goal is to complete as many reps as possible in the alotted time. There is no rest between exercises, after one station you must move immediately to the next.
Find a weight that you can move with moderate ease, this is after all a strength training exercise and pushing a light weight will have little effect on strength gains.
Keep a log book of how many reps you completed for each exercise in the time limit, then on your next workout, try to smash that record. Always look to achieve a new personal best every time you’re in the gym.
Alright without further delay, here it is:
1 Front Squats - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
2 Military Press - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
3 Bench Press - 1 Minute 30 Seconds 4 Seated Rows - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
5 Clean and Jerk - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
After your first circuit rest three minutes, then repeat.
Like I said, this workout is hell, but the feeling of accomplishing this will give you an awesome high, you will see major improvements in strength and muscular endurance doing workouts similar to this.
By: Derek Dreger
About the Author:
Mixed Martial Arts is a sport that requires an athlete to be in great physical strenght. Throwing powerful strikes, and being able to manipulate your opponent’s position requires tremendous physical strength and endurance. Strength training for MMA not only involves training the muscles to produce greater effort, but also to produce that effort longer under extreme physiological conditions.
Even if you are not a mixed martial arts compettitor, training like one will have drastic beneficial effects on your body and health. We all know great cardio reduces the stresses on our heart, and having power allows us to complete physical tasks easier… But the one benefit that will be most rewarding, is looking great naked.
This workout will push you beyond your limits, and make you pray to God that it will end soon. Many athletes complete something similar to this, but as their caliber of physical conditioning increases, so does the workload they undertake with each workout.
This workout will hit all major muscle groups and should be completed about two or three times a week allowing two full days of recovery in between each session. Not only will you be getting a strength workout, but you will also be training your muscles to produce effort longer, and to push through with high levels of lactic acid present.
We will be doing 3 circuits total with 3 minutes rest after each circuit. Each exercise in the circuit is timed and your goal is to complete as many reps as possible in the alotted time. There is no rest between exercises, after one station you must move immediately to the next.
Find a weight that you can move with moderate ease, this is after all a strength training exercise and pushing a light weight will have little effect on strength gains.
Keep a log book of how many reps you completed for each exercise in the time limit, then on your next workout, try to smash that record. Always look to achieve a new personal best every time you’re in the gym.
Alright without further delay, here it is:
1 Front Squats - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
2 Military Press - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
3 Bench Press - 1 Minute 30 Seconds 4 Seated Rows - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
5 Clean and Jerk - 1 Minute 30 Seconds
After your first circuit rest three minutes, then repeat.
Like I said, this workout is hell, but the feeling of accomplishing this will give you an awesome high, you will see major improvements in strength and muscular endurance doing workouts similar to this.
By: Derek Dreger
About the Author:
MMA Workout is your resource for the best workouts and MMA Training information. http://MMAworkout.ca
Which is the More Violent Sport: Football, Ice Hockey or Mma?
May 15th, 2009 by admin
So what’s with all the rhetoric and discussion on MMA being a violent sport? Have any of these detractors ever watched a football game? Ice Hockey? Rugby? Talk about violent sports! And these are all approved and sanctioned! Senator McCain and a lot of politicians are on the anti-MMA bandwagon, although sources close to Senator McCain have told me personally that he’s “coming around” and is willing to take a closer look at the sport. Well thank goodness for that, because what MMA was in 1995 is not what it is today.
A report by the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, (JOSS&M) stated “The incidence of injury in combat sports has not been adequately reported although it is important to identify the nature and frequency of injuries prior to the implementation of prevention programs.” In their study, they “compared injury rates treated in Hospital Emergency Departments between different combat sports of boxing, wrestling, and martial arts. A secondary objective described anatomic region and diagnosis of these injuries. Data were obtained on all boxing, wrestling, and martial arts-related injuries that were in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database and resulted in Emergency Department visits between 2002 and 2005.”
Their findings? “Martial arts had lower injury rates compared to boxing and wrestling for all diagnoses (p<0.001). Boxing had lower injury rates compared to wrestling for strains/sprains and dislocations. Boxing and wrestling had similar injury rates for concussions.”
Their recommendation? Stop fighting? Ban MMA? Nope. In fact the report suggested that “Injury prevention efforts should consider the distribution of injuries and concentrate on preventing strains/sprains in wrestling, concussions in boxing and wrestling, and fractures for all three activities.” So basically, like with any other sport, one should take proper care and use preventative measures when training or competing. Okay – good to know.
The JOSS&M report went further: “The findings of the present study do not provide evidence that combat sports have alarmingly high rates of injuries resulting in emergency department visits.” Interesting. Hope Senator McCain reads this report. You can find the whole study here: http://www.jssm.org/combat/2/11/v6combat2-11.pdf
Next I’ll talk about sports injuries in football and ice hockey. Make a little comparison. Should be interesting.
By: Katrina Belcher
About the Author:
A report by the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, (JOSS&M) stated “The incidence of injury in combat sports has not been adequately reported although it is important to identify the nature and frequency of injuries prior to the implementation of prevention programs.” In their study, they “compared injury rates treated in Hospital Emergency Departments between different combat sports of boxing, wrestling, and martial arts. A secondary objective described anatomic region and diagnosis of these injuries. Data were obtained on all boxing, wrestling, and martial arts-related injuries that were in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database and resulted in Emergency Department visits between 2002 and 2005.”
Their findings? “Martial arts had lower injury rates compared to boxing and wrestling for all diagnoses (p<0.001). Boxing had lower injury rates compared to wrestling for strains/sprains and dislocations. Boxing and wrestling had similar injury rates for concussions.”
Their recommendation? Stop fighting? Ban MMA? Nope. In fact the report suggested that “Injury prevention efforts should consider the distribution of injuries and concentrate on preventing strains/sprains in wrestling, concussions in boxing and wrestling, and fractures for all three activities.” So basically, like with any other sport, one should take proper care and use preventative measures when training or competing. Okay – good to know.
The JOSS&M report went further: “The findings of the present study do not provide evidence that combat sports have alarmingly high rates of injuries resulting in emergency department visits.” Interesting. Hope Senator McCain reads this report. You can find the whole study here: http://www.jssm.org/combat/2/11/v6combat2-11.pdf
Next I’ll talk about sports injuries in football and ice hockey. Make a little comparison. Should be interesting.
By: Katrina Belcher
About the Author:
Katrina Belcher has been self-employed for 20 years, successfully marketing four businesses. She’s won numerous national division and zone sales awards for highest-producer, highest-premium-per-lead, and highest-producing national district office.
She now provides services to MMA fighters and event promoters. Katrina is the founder and editor of TUFF, a site designed as an outreach for industry information and connecting females in the fight industry. Katrina is also the founder of The National Association for MMA Fight Professionals (or NAFMMAF), which was founded to provide comprehensive benefits and support to MMA fight professionals.