New to MMA

[wrestlingfan]

So I'm a 13 year old wrestling fan hence the name and I've been into wrestling for a while loving the in ring technique, promos storyline all the usual but not so long ago in maybe the 6th Grade, I saw UFCs homepage and I got interested in MMA, As a martial artist myself (Red Belt in Taekwondo) I can understand these fighters mindsets and their training and the whole intensity reminded me of how boxing used to be (I dab into a little of boxing when I watch the Rocky movies and Ali). But whenever I watch UFC Unleashed it's like really, this stuff looks cool but the match is really slow, so can anyone give me any reasons why I should check out more MMA, specifically UFC after their acquirement of Pride, and Strikeforce and going international with their fighters.

Also I have some free money to spend so I was wondering what magazines/books give good coverage on tons of MMA fighters and is in stock.

 

[Fizzy]

You don't need money. You have everything you need over the internet. You can read some books by MMA fighters. I have read Randy Couture's, Tito Ortiz's, and Chuck Liddell's, and they were all fantastic books. Sherdog is really the only website you need to learn what is going on in the MMA world. You should watch MMA because while some fights may be slow, you know at any time there can be a brutal finish, or an amazing submission. You get to see guys who have been training in these arts their entire lives put those skills to use.

I suggest watching Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar to start off. That and Chan Sung Jung vs Leonard Garcia will appeal to new time fans like yourself. Unleashed doesn't really have the best fights available. If you have enough money I also suggest getting the UFC top 100 fights of all time. Some epic, fast paced fights available. Just check out some fights online, and read up about other martial arts, and you'll love it.

 

[wrestlingfan]

You don't need money. You have everything you need over the internet. You can read some books by MMA fighters. I have read Randy Couture's, Tito Ortiz's, and Chuck Liddell's, and they were all fantastic books. Sherdog is really the only website you need to learn what is going on in the MMA world. You should watch MMA because while some fights may be slow, you know at any time there can be a brutal finish, or an amazing submission. You get to see guys who have been training in these arts their entire lives put those skills to use.

I suggest watching Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar to start off. That and Chan Sung Jung vs Leonard Garcia will appeal to new time fans like yourself. Unleashed doesn't really have the best fights available. If you have enough money I also suggest getting the UFC top 100 fights of all time. Some epic, fast paced fights available. Just check out some fights online, and read up about other martial arts, and you'll love it.

I see and I'll check out some of those fights. so how good is the MMA Encyclopedia and what other magazines/mma books would be good for be that covers alot of fighters. I know that I can watch this online but Imma book person.

 

[Fizzy]

I don't really know what magazines there are as I haven't read one since I was a kid. I also never read the MMA Encyclopedia. I heard BJ Penn's book was very good, and really gave an outlook on his life as a fighter. I haven't got around to reading that yet, but there's another thing to check out. There's also a bunch of books on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu out there which is one of the most important martial arts fighters use. Blood in the Cage- Pat Miletch Story is supposedly really good. Anderson Silva's book is said to really go over techniques that are very basic. There are tons of books that go over techniques as well like Andre Galvao's book. Do some research, but those are some I have heard about.

 

[wrestlingfan]

I don't really know what magazines there are as I haven't read one since I was a kid. I also never read the MMA Encyclopedia. I heard BJ Penn's book was very good, and really gave an outlook on his life as a fighter. I haven't got around to reading that yet, but there's another thing to check out. There's also a bunch of books on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu out there which is one of the most important martial arts fighters use. Blood in the Cage- Pat Miletch Story is supposedly really good. Anderson Silva's book is said to really go over techniques that are very basic. There are tons of books that go over techniques as well like Andre Galvao's book. Do some research, but those are some I have heard about.

I see I see but I know that there's individual books but I'm not too much of a documentary person especially when they're about fighters I hardly know. What I need is a good book that has coverage on tons of fighters just to give me a good idea of MMA, yeah I could look it up on the internet but I'm more of a sitdown person to just read and enjoy the book and keep it somewhere to read for another time.

 

[Fizzy]

You could try Fighter's Notebook: A Manual of Mixed Martial Arts by Kirik Jenness. It's extremely expensive running at like $70 on Amazon, but it's around 600 pages of different techniques involving all parts of MMA. If you're looking for the more technical side of MMA where it helps teach you the basics, than this is the book for you. I have been looking into buying it for a long time. You can also try The Gracie Way: An Illustrated History of the World's Greatest Martial Arts Family which runs for about $100 new on Amazon. The Gracie family is the most important family in MMA history as they created the UFC. If you're going to be a fan of MMA you need to know about these guys. They talk about pretty much the entire family in this book. Every one of them is incredibly talented, and it seems as though this would be the type of book that fits your description. It doesn't talk about one fighter, but an entire family of fighters. Look them up tell me if i'm helping you.

 

[ITurnGirlsGay]

Dude, avoid Sherdog like bad habit, their forum boards are crap and they usually don't even break stories. If you want some reputable MMA sites and resources I sincerely suggest the following.

MMAJunkie.com - They're one of the tops in the business at getting stories out quickly, usually Junkie has before anyone else.

MiddleEasy.com - Zeus (the owner) always has interesting videos and stories of the MMA world. Not to mention his exclusive interview with Lee Murray was one of the best interviews I have seen in MMA.

AOL/Fanhouse - Mike Chiappetta and Michael Davis Smith are some of the most respected writers in the business. You can follow both of them on Twitter, too. They live tweet during fights and usually respond to fans super fast.

MiddleEasy is also on twitter.

Those would be my suggestions, stay away from Sherdog, their journalism skills are questionable at best and they have been banned several times because they don't have ethical codes over there or something. Their forum boards are filled with trolls and people who flame war for no reason. I only discuss MMA on two sites, but I get all the info I need from them and Twitter.

 

[ArcherCC]

First off, welcome to the forums, and MMA.

Ok to understand the pace of MMA I would suggest finding some good books on MMA & Brazilian Ju Jitsue (I will find a list of the books I have later and PM you wih them).

Some fights to watch.

Bonnar VS Griffin
Anderson Silva Vs Chris Lebon
Korean Zombie VS Garcia
Roger Gracie Vs Kevin Randleman (This is a great fight to see the difference between a Wrestler and a BJJ grappler)
A Whole slew of Georges St-Pierre matches.

 

[wrestlingfan]

Thanks guys for the help and recommendations. I think I will get the MMA Encyclopedia. It seems to have information on most of this world's fighters and UFC, Pride and Strikeforce. It's even bigger then the upcoming UFC Encyclopedia.

Fizzy:Thx for the help and yes I know about the Gracies. Read about Royce Gracie, I've considered him the Godfather of Modern MMA

ITGG: Thx, will check out the sites

Archer: Kk, and I will check out some of the fights, ym interest in MMA is growing dya by day.

 

[ArcherCC]

Ok this list of fights is from another forum i spend time on and was voted on by them mebers.

Best MMA Fights to watch.


1) Kevin Randleman vs. Fedor Emelianenko - 68.57%
http://www.clipjunkie.com/Randleman-...or-vid130.html

2) Stephan Bonnar vs. Forrest Griffin - 64%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Forr...001572&tid=100

3) Takanori Gomi vs. Nick Diaz - 63%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Taka...003332&tid=100

4) Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta - 54%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Roge...001224&tid=100

5) Diego Sanchez vs. Karo Parisyan - 50%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Dieg...003461&tid=100

6) Rampage jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva #2 - 50%
http://fightgameblog.com/2008/11/vid...e-vs-silva-ii/

7) Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Wanderlei Silva - 50%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Wand...002609&tid=100

8) Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell - 49%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Chuc...001215&tid=100

9) Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida - 47%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Dieg...005354&tid=100

10) Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic - 46%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Fedo...000813&tid=100

11) Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - 46%
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6b...conflict_sport

12) BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson - 46%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_B_J_...001194&tid=100

13) Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II - 44%
http://mmavideolinks.to/fighter-vide...-hughes-2.html

14) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fedor Emelianenko - 42%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Fedo...000811&tid=100

15) Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans - 41%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Lyot...005327&tid=100

16) Brett Rogers vs. Fedor Emelianenko - 41%
http://www.arkhilario.com/2009/11/07...-rogers-video/

17) Diego Sanchez vs. Nick Diaz - 41%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Dieg...001596&tid=100

18) Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson - 39%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Quin...000725&tid=100

19) Georges St. Pierre vs. John Fitch - 37%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Geor...7?vid=10001033

20) Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama - 36%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Don_...007774&tid=100

21) Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira - 36%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Rand...006226&tid=100

22) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Bob Sapp - 36%
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3y...-nogueir_sport

23) Randy Couture vs. Tito Ortiz - 34%
http://mmavideolinks.to/fighter-vide...ito-ortiz.html

24) Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson - 31%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Ande...000870&tid=100

25) Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell #1 - 26%
http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Chuc...001205&tid=100

 

[wrestlingfan]

Wow alot of videos but I'll check them out and just ordered the MMA Encycloepdia from my library. Btw do any of you think it would be a good idea for UFC to make a comic book on the history of UFC for the kids?

 

[Fizzy]

No they shouldn't make a comic book. That would be incredibly awkward, and weird. That's a fairly good list, but some fights on there are ranked based on name value, and not the quality of the fight. Randleman/Fedor does not deserve to be first by a long shot. Fedor fucking subbed him in the first round. It was exciting while it laster, and is a pretty brutal fight, but it is not the best fight of all time.

 

[wrestlingfan]

No they shouldn't make a comic book. That would be incredibly awkward, and weird. That's a fairly good list, but some fights on there are ranked based on name value, and not the quality of the fight. Randleman/Fedor does not deserve to be first by a long shot. Fedor fucking subbed him in the first round. It was exciting while it laster, and is a pretty brutal fight, but it is not the best fight of all time.

Actually the comic book idea could work. hear me out. So basically it shows he history of UFC. The beginning of the book details UFC's rise to stardom with The Gracies, The Tournaments, it doesnt have to be a direct storyline just graphics then they go to the 2000s with Mccain protesting and them struggling to survive and then going later on to where they got their groove back and started to go Mainstream and acquired Pride, and then acquring oher companies onto the present.

 

[ITurnGirlsGay]

Actually the comic book idea could work. hear me out. So basically it shows he history of UFC. The beginning of the book details UFC's rise to stardom with The Gracies, The Tournaments, it doesnt have to be a direct storyline just graphics then they go to the 2000s with Mccain protesting and them struggling to survive and then going later on to where they got their groove back and started to go Mainstream and acquired Pride, and then acquring oher companies onto the present.

I don't think it's a bad idea. People say comic book like it's a bad thing. Graphic novels are "technically" comic books.

I wouldn't mind seeing the UFC's history in a graphic novel. I think that would be an interesting way to reach new fans.

 

[wrestlingfan]

Thanks. I honestly would try out the idea but I'm just 13 and am no proffessional but it's definitely an idea I'll pitch to UFC if i can figure out a way to contact them.

 

[Uncle Phatso]

The only thing that I would like to add to what everyone has said. Is don't be like me and limit yourself to one weight. I love heavyweight and have been viewing ufc just basically for the heavyweights for allmost 5 years. Branch yourself out, upon talking to the guys on the board I got back into watching the whole show. Alot of amzing fighters at the lower weights, who have a very good work ethic.

Also don't limit yourself to just the big named fighters. Like Gsp, Fedor, Nog, Or Penn. All of the matches are something to watch. I know huge fans of MMA who limit their viewing to only the big named matches. You will learn to love all of them man! Have fun and welcome to the world of MMA.

 

[JWGunslinger]

Wrestlingfan, if you're looking for good MMA magazines I would say give FIGHT! and Fighters Only a shot. Fighters Only is more expensive but you get alot more info out of it. Also some of my favorite fights that I think are perfect for someone new to the sport are
Marcus Davis vs Paul Taylor
Rick Story vs Brian Foster
Donald Cerrone vs Rob McCullough
These are all classic wars that will give you great respect for fighters and the heart and determination they need to succeed. Hope this helps and you become a fan for life!

 

[wrestlingfan]

Kk I'll try and also how do I contact UFC to tell them about my idea.

And I know that MMA fighters train and know a variety of martial arts but ar ethey just brawling because it looks like that's what they're doing in the Octagon.

 

[INDYjon22]

Kk I'll try and also how do I contact UFC to tell them about my idea.

And I know that MMA fighters train and know a variety of martial arts but ar ethey just brawling because it looks like that's what they're doing in the Octagon.

Some guys brawl in the cage, but there is a lot more to it then that. If you watch early Forrest Griffin or Keith Jardine fights you will see that they just go out there and throw bombs at their opponents, or one another if you happen to see their fight, but their are way more technical fighters and I would say you're more likely to see a technical fight then you are to see a true brawl. Brawlers don't really aim their strikes, they just throw and hope they connect. Watch a guy like Nick Diaz or BJ Penn, they are more technically sound with their striking and pick their opponents apart, even when they are bleeding they are guys who are still winning the fight more times then now.

 

[Cookie]

I see and I'll check out some of those fights. so how good is the MMA Encyclopedia and what other magazines/mma books would be good for be that covers alot of fighters. I know that I can watch this online but Imma book person.

I got the MMA Encyclopedia for Christmas and it's a great read that generally glazes over most of the basics you'd need to know and most of the notable fighters you'd want to hear about. However, it's not in depth since it needs to cover so many things from A-Z and it's already a little dated because the MMA world evolves at such a fast pace. You could find just as much (and more) info through Google.

Personally, I loved having a copy of it to read before bed or just dive into when I've got some downtime. Because it's structured as an Encyclopedia, it's easy to pick up where you left off and you don't need to sit down and get sucked into it for a long period of time.

 

[wrestlingfan]

I got the MMA Encyclopedia for Christmas and it's a great read that generally glazes over most of the basics you'd need to know and most of the notable fighters you'd want to hear about. However, it's not in depth since it needs to cover so many things from A-Z and it's already a little dated because the MMA world evolves at such a fast pace. You could find just as much (and more) info through Google.

Personally, I loved having a copy of it to read before bed or just dive into when I've got some downtime. Because it's structured as an Encyclopedia, it's easy to pick up where you left off and you don't need to sit down and get sucked into it for a long period of time.

Yes I didn't like the A-Z fashion and that's what's really preventing me form enjoying the book (checked it out from the liibrary) Also how do I contact UFC by email?