MMA

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), popularly known as cage fighting or ultimate fighting, is a full-contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills from a mixture of other combat sports. Competition rules allow the use of both striking as well as grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground. MMA allows fighters of different backgrounds to compete in the same arena—one of the reasons these competitions are so popular today.

MMA’s History

The roots of modern Mixed Martial Arts can be traced back to various mixed-style contests that took place throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s.

The combat sport of Vale Tudo, developed in Brazil during the 1920s, was taken to the United States by the Gracie family in 1993 with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Professional MMA events had also been held in Japan by Shooto starting back in 1989. The early Vale Tudo-style bouts of those original UFCs were a kind of free-for-all fight—hence the phrase vale tudo, or ‘anything goes.’

These competitions, originally set up to find the most effective martial arts for real, unarmed combat situations, pitted competitors against one another with minimal rules. Later, promoters adopted many additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport. This led to the evolution of the regulated form of MMA we have today.

The name ‘Mixed Martial Arts’ was coined by Rick Blume, President and CEO of Battlecade, in 1995. Since then MMA has increased tremendously in popularity, with its pay-per-view television reach rivaling boxing and professional wrestling.

Train with The Nemesis Fight Team!

We are proud—and extremely pumped —to have partnered with Team Nemesis, Melbourne’s premiere MMA fight team. Led by head coaches Denis Kelly and Phillip Lai, the team’s members have been featured all over Australia (KOTC, CFC, Brace for War) as well as overseas (ESPN’s martial combat in Singapore, Hong Kong Legends FC, England, Italy, Thailand).

Team Nemesis has an amazing track record in MMA.

Specifically, the MMA classes will be run by Brayden Summers, who has not lost a single fight yet!

We’re delighted to have Brayden with us at IDF Training, and we know that all our students will benefit from what he has to offer.

What Can I Expect?

MMA classes at IDF are like all others—highly physical but very safe because of the constant supervision and guidance you receive. You’ll learn the rules and practice the moves before actually free-fighting, so you and your opponent will be trained not to hurt each other. At the same time, the physicality will give you a real ‘hands-on’ feeling that will build your confidence and improve your fighting skills.

Come on in and try out one of our MMA classes and experience the personal power you’ll gain!

Check out the class timetable and the prices for more details.