Flencher

Hey,
My name is Mark Reeves. Remember the name because someday your gonna see me on TV in the cage. Well, that's a lot to say but it is my goal. I want to start fighting but I have no I dare where to start or how. I'm Sixteen but I don't have my license yet so it would be pretty hard to get to any mma gyms right now. I wanna start off by doing everything I possibly can to get better from my home or 24 hour fitness. ANYTHING. I just want to get better, whatever it takes, I'll do it. But thats where I need you guys to tell me what to do? I go to the gym and participate in Crossfit. I way 144 and I'm about maybe 5'8. I'm pretty quick and a lot of my strength is in my triceps and legs, but I don't have a lot of strength in my chest or abdomen.

What do I do?
How do I get started?
Whats the first thing I should learn?
Are there things I should know before I start?
Also when did you guys start fighting?
And could you tell me or direct me to some exercises that should get me more tuned to MMA (I'm already a pretty fit guy)
What are some things I can do to help me take hits better?
I haven't done any full sparring yet only body sparring with my friend should I start full sparring?
And what do I need to start?

Thanks!!

El Bresko

Don't spar with your friends unless you know what you are doing, stop going to your local fitness gym and enroll at an MMA, Muay Thai or BJJ gym, any of those places will be a great place to begin.

Once you have learned the very basics of Muay Thai (i say this cos it's a relatively easy martial art to pick up) you should buy a heavy bag and start practicing form on your kicks, practice low and high lead leg kicks without switching (they act as an extended jab) and if you develop power there you will end up with a badass Brazilian kick



After your first lesson you should know your stance and how to throw straight punches (jabs and crosses), make sure when practicing you always are protecting your head, if you throw a left punch your right hand is glued to your cheekbone so you can protect your jaw, once this is second nature you will have much better defense.

Honestly man, the best way to do it is to just do it, imitate your favourite fighters and be intelligent, think about defense first.

Youtube is an amazing tool for learning, and look at what Cro Cop did without proper training for many years. I rolled with friends and watched BJJ and MMA profusely for two years before i entered an MMA gym, i've only been to two BJJ classes in my life and i am blue belt level. Obviously we learn some BJJ in MMA but what I am trying to say is that you can teach yourself a lot of these things and it's not as if I even have a wrestling background, i like to play guard.

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No_Mercy

Your nickname shall be Mark "Superman" Reeves. It's the first thing that came to mind.

Make us proud. We'll see you in the TUF in about five years or so.

PS: Crossfit training is intense!

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Marcus Aurelius: Tell me again, Maximus, why are we here?
Maximus: For the glory of the Empire, sire.

Baked, not fried... the healthy choice.