Elements of an MMA Workout by Luke Schollmeyer
Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, is one of the toughest, most intense sports around, requiring combatants to be at their peak fitness level and must have all-around strength, agility, and skill in order to be competitive. So, how exactly does one design a quality MMA workout?
Firstly, simply getting stronger is in order, which means basic strength training, preferrably with multi-joint exercises like squats, deadlifts, cleans, rows and push-presses. Heavy squats and deadlifts are some of the best leg and full-body exercises that a mixed martial arts fighter can do. It will build overall body strength and give you tremendous power. You should vary your routines. Some days heavy (1-3 reps with 10-15 sets or the classic 5x5), other days, higher repetition and lower sets. Squats give you the strength and speed for takedowns, kicking, and explosive techniques. Deadlifts develop your overall pulling power, core and grip strength.
Cleans and push-presses are the overall explosive exercises. Perform them together (a clean and press) with dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells and sandbags for arguably the very best single resistence exercise you could do to help develop your punching, pushing and driving power.
Plyometrics
Plyometric training involves practicing plyometric movements to toughen tissues and train nerve cells to stimulate a specific pattern of muscle contraction so the muscle generates as strong a contraction as possible in the shortest amount of time. A plyometric contraction involves first a rapid muscle lengthening movement, followed by a short resting phase, then an explosive muscle shortening movement, which enables the muscles that work together in doing the particular motion. Plyometric training engages the myostatic-reflex, which is the automatic contraction of muscle when their stretch nerve receptors are stimulated.
Plyometric exercises use explosive movements to develop muscular power, the ability to generate a large amount of force quickly. Plyometric training acts on the nerves, muscles, and tendons to increase an athlete's power output without necessarily increasing their maximum strength.
Standing vertical jumps or box jumps are example lower body plyometric exercises. Explosive push-ups (pushups with a clap, for example) and throwing a medicine ball up to 10-ft. target on the wall are good upper-body examples. Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise increases general fitness. Anaerobic exercise however, is also critical to top performance in the MMA fight because anaerobic preparation will allow you to avoid muscle tiring, or more importantly, work through fatigue. Muscle fatigue occurs when too much lactic acid builds up in the muscles. Outlasting your opponents means you must build up a tolerance for this natural occurrence. Circuits, complexes or sprints will broaden your lactic threshold. Sample MMA Workout Routine
As you can see, you will need to have a varied protocal for putting together a quality MMA workout. You will need to perform both strength resistance work along with plyometric and aerobic training as well.
The following is the weight routine made popular by Team Quest a la Randy Couture. It is an example of a "complex" and is an example of functional strength training and a good cardio workout as well.
Here it is:
Bent rows x 8 Upright rows x 8 Military press x 8 Good morning x 8 Lunges x 8 (each leg) Squat push press x 8 (squat, then perform a push-press) Deadlift x 8
The trick is that you use one bar, not changing the weight, but never stopping during the set. Rest 1 minute between each set. Perform 3-5 sets. Try starting out with a 95-lbs. loaded Olympic bar and see how it goes. Sounds light, doesn't it? Try it and tell me how you fared.
Want to boost your chances in the ring, cage or mat? Want to ensure you have gas in the tank when you need it? Don't leave your conditioning to chance with questionable MMA workouts.
Turbo charge your conditioning with a blend of old school techniques put together with cutting edge science and battle-tested experience.
Check out our free MMA workouts for you to try.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Elements-of-an-MMA-Workout/483477

MMA Fight Gear for Fighters and for Fans by Phoenix Delray
Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA gear, has become just as popular with fans as the fighters that wear it have. The Mixed Martial Arts is a series of sports that is derived from a mixture of different fighting techniques and martial arts. The full contact combat that ensues is regulated by rules, but less rules than most other sports. Ever since its inception, it has been criticized and protested against by many different people because of its brutality, and people had claimed for a long time that what went on with the fighting was inhumane and much too violent. Back then, there were no rules at all.
Even though other related sports do not allow things like grappling and striking, the MMA does, which incidentally is one of the reasons that many fans like it all so much. Both non traditional and traditional techniques are allowed and used, and thanks to the little bit of MMA gear that the fighters wear, it seems to be the right balance between power and action, with a little bit of safety thrown in for fun. The Ultimate Fighting Championship was established in 1993, and is now the largest promoters of Mixed Martial Arts today.
The original intention of the UFC was to find the best fighters with the best moves that would be used under unarmed combat situations, which is why there were so few rules and regulations. In comparison to how it was when it began, there are now many more rules to increase safety. The whole reason for this is to gain more public acceptance so that the fan base would grow.
Although there is not a lot of MMA gear that is worn during the fights, the little bit that is worn is to protect the fighters and to prevent injuries. Not only that, but having the fighters wearing it all does promote safety to the fans as well. There are shorts, gloves, helmets, and mouth guards that are used, but that is about it. There are no shoes that are worn or allowed, and no footwear of any kind, for that matter. Although the fighters are not allowed to wear much during competitions, there are many different styles of clothing and apparel that have been made for fans to wear. Fans love the MMA gear because it shows support for the sport and for their favorite fighter as well. The gloves that are worn are very popular, because they dont restrict flexibility and they dont hinder good grip. They come in two different styles, open palm and closed palm. There are different thicknesses and weights for the gloves too, and they promote dexterity as well.
Mouth guards and focus mitts are two other important pieces of MMA gear that fighters rely on for their protection. The focus mitt is used in training to improve accuracy with hitting and timing along with coordination. They are curved to fit the hands well to prevent cramps and fatigue. The mouth guards do more than just protect the teeth from being knocked out; they protect the head from injury, too. Many people do not think about the teeth being a part of the head, and by protecting the lower part of the head (teeth) they are protecting themselves against potentially serious head injuries. Whether MMA gear is used for fighting or for fun, there is no question about its popularity.
For more information on MMA Gear, please visit our website.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/MMA-Fight-Gear-for-Fighters-and-for-Fans/581770

Why You Want to Own an MMA Shirt by Paul B
Not long ago, there weren�"'""t many T-Shirt options available (save Tapout) for casual MMA fans and enthusiasts. Chances were if you wanted to own a shirt with your favorite fighter on it, you were simply out of luck if it wasn�"'""t one of a small handful of top tier UFC fighters.
Luckily for the of MMA fans out there times have changed. If you see a fighter on television, there�"'""s a good possibility that they have a signature shirt with a reputable MMA brand name attached to it.
Why you need to own an MMA Shirt:Having a tee with your favorite fighter on the front is incontestably cool. And if you truly support a fighter; you�"'""ll wear it during his or her fights to cheer them on. But the best part is that many times you are also helping to support their training since many brand names offer fighters a cut of their merchandising sales.
What if I don�"'""t want a Fighter Shirt?Don�"'""t worry because there are many, many MMA shirts out there that are not fighter specific. In fact, some of the larger Mixed Martial Art retailers�"'"" stock well over 20 brands of MMA related t-shirts many of which are not related to a particular fighter.
How you can purchase an MMA Shirt:Purchasing an MMA shirt is very simple. You can either go to a mall with an MMA Shop store front or make your purchase online. I favor and highly recommend shopping online for the reason that you can often find a much wider variety at a much cheaper price. If you shop at a brick and mortar retailer you�"'""re often restricted to a small selection of shirts from only a handful of brands. If you make the right choice and purchase online, I suggest you shop with MMA Overload for your next order of MMA Shirts as they have the widest selection, competitive prices, and are very trustworthy.
Written by Paul Bradish
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Why-You-Want-to-Own-an-MMA-Shirt/589395

5 Simple Ways To Intensify Your MMA Conditioning by Luke Schollmeyer
If you're an MMA fighter or grappler, you need more than just "typical" stuff that passes for conditioning these days. To prepare yourself with the cardiovascular endurance that grinds your opponent down and strength, even at the end of the last round, that can always be called upon, you need need to train with loaded movements and sand bags and kettlebells are some of the best ways are to perform these kinds of movements.
But why these two tools? For one, loaded movements improve your overall conditioning, but in a way where you are simulating primary movements in your sport. Lifting and moving "odd objects" through force is like moving your opponent. Second, by lifting in "rounds" (just like in your competitions), you can work to improve your lactic threshold.
Certainly, stairs, sprints and jumping rope are great for general conditioning and are a part of your overall workout, but little matches the conditioning you get with loaded movements.
Here are some additional techniques for intensifying your MMA conditioning:
Supersets - One can really push your metabolism by using opposing muscles groups, like chest and back or upper and lower body, to perform a fast-paced strength workout. A sample super set with kettlebells and sand bags could be 5 x 5 of clean and press on KBs and 5 x 5 of sand bag squats. Perform a five-rep set of the clean and presses, rest one minute and then do a five-rep set of sandbag squats. Repeat this super set five times.
Burpees - Adding a kettlebell or sandbag with the demanding burpee pushes the intensity through the roof. So, rather than performing the jump portion, clean and press your sandbag or kettlebells overhead.
Circuits - Circuits are two or more exercises performed together. Your strength endurance will greatly improve training this way with your heavy sandbags and kettlebells. Take this sample circuit:
1. Sandbag bent over row x 82. Clean and press with kettlebell x 5 (each arm)3. Sandbag stiff-legged deadlift x 8 repsPerform the above circuit for 5 rounds.
Couplets are amalgams of a sandbag or kettlebell exercise with a bodyweight movement - An example of a couplet routine are 2 armswings and bodyweight squats for 3 x 20 reps each.
Rounds - Pick three or more exercises and perform as many sets as possible with a proposeed number of reps. You might have to do repetitions in descending pattern such as 21 reps on the first set, 15 on the next set and 9 reps per exercise on the last set. By recording your time on these rounds, you can try to better that time the next time around.
A sample set of rounds:
Sandbag clean and press2-hand kettlebell swingsWalking lunges with sandbag
So, your first round you'll do 21 reps of cleans, 21 reps of the swings and then 21 lunges, next round is repeated, but using 15 reps for each exercise. Then, 9 rounds.
By using the varying methods above you can absolutely kick your MMA conditioning into overdrive!
Want to boost your chances in the ring, cage or mat? Want to ensure you have gas in the tank when you need it? Don't leave your conditioning to chance with questionable MMA workouts.
Turbo charge your conditioning with a blend of old school techniques put together with cutting edge science and battle-tested experience.
Check out our free MMA workouts for you to try.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/5-Simple-Ways-To-Intensify-Your-MMA-Conditioning/599456

What Is The Purpose Of MMA Shirts And Hoodies by Jason Bacot
Mixed martial arts shirts, also called MMA shirts serve more than the obvious, "cool looks" purpose of the person wearing these shirts. Rules and regulations of the MMA industry stipulate a certain dress code for every Mixed Martial Arts fighter.
While these t-shirts are not an essential item for MMA fighters in a combat situation, they do serve a major purpose to help them find recognition. On top of the statement, these jerseys also help to support the industry by paying royalties to fighters.
MMA hoodies are made to last.
These days, with the popularity of this industry rising, more and more people wear fighter shirts. This comes as no surprise really since fighter shirts are becoming increasingly trendy. Since the sport has become more mainstream, fans of all ages are eager to demonstrate their association with MMA by wearing a groovy looking t-shirt, jersey or hoodie.
Usually made of durable cotton, these shirts and hoodies are based on white, black or grey colors with a relative snug fit. Designed to withstand more than the average wear and tear they are also a common staple of this sports training wear.
Fighters usually wear these jerseys during training to keep themselves covered. It also helps them to make a statement about their club by sporting a club logo. While fight wear clothing traditionally only includes shorts and gloves, these shirts and hoodies form the perfect basis for fighters and fans to make a statement.
Protection of the upper body during a long sparring session is important for most fighters in order to preserve their physique for the real deal - the actual combat. Therefore jerseys are also a practical attire for MMA fighters.
More than a statement.
Sponsorship is another important aspect of the MMA industry, meaning that many sponsors choose to place their own logo onto a shirt. Logos give the various mixed martial arts retailers the perfect opportunity to market themselves. Sometimes their logos are coupled with the picture of a fighter. Either way, these shirts give sponsors the opportunity to create brand awareness while helping to support the industry in general.
Since the rules for "combat wear" are very strict, the only noticeable way for sponsors to do this is by sponsoring jerseys and shirts of certain fighters.
Support your favorite fighter.
The best way to show your support is by wearing a hoodie or t-shirt with the logo or picture of your favorite fighter. Imagine the rush of excitement your man or woman feels when they see a sea of support jerseys in the crowd during an important fight.
For some fans these shirts are a simple support statement while for others they are pure fashion. Either way, when you are ready to choose from the growing range of MMA fighter shirts you will be able to make an informed decision by selecting the jersey best suited to your taste and preferences.
We have all the MMA Shirts and MMA Jerseys that you will ever need all in one place.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/What-Is-The-Purpose-Of-MMA-Shirts-And-Hoodies/605547

The Truth About MMA Fighter Salaries by Damian Kutzner
Sports salaries are a highly controversial topic. Sit in any sports bar for any length of time and phrases like, "so-and-so isn't worth what he's being paid," or "so-and-so is stupid for paying that much for a player," will surely be heard. Critics argue that the paychecks earned by sports figures are excessive. But a look at the monies earned by sponsors, promoters, and advertisers makes a paltry six-figure salary look like a blip on the radar.
Consider that UFC 100, the UFC's heavily promoted and long-awaited milestone event, brought in a sold-out crowd estimated to be 11,000. This was the second-largest gate in the history of the UFC history, bringing in approximately $5.1 million from ticket sales alone. Brock Lesnar, the UFC heavyweight champion and Georges St. Pierre each took home $400,000 for their co-main event victories. Those fighters took home less than 16% of the income ticket sales, a figure which doesn't include pay per view fees or merchandising.
Currently, top-level MMA fighters are paid from two primary sources sources. The first comes from the fight promoters. Fighters get a small base salary per fight and a percentage based on Pay Per View viewership. Successful fighters also have sponsors that pay them varying amounts to promote products and make public appearances.
Interestingly, while one would readily assume that the salaries, bonuses, and sponsorship dollars paid to Major League Baseball players, NFL players and some of the stars of the NBA are higher than MMA stars, Major League Soccer players also earn more than top UFC fighters.
Here are some of the salaries of top earners within the UFC for comparison:
* Chuck Liddell at UFC 88: $500,000 * Brock Lesnar at UFC 100: $400,000 * Georges St. Pierre at UFC 100: $400,000 * Quinton Jackson at UFC 96: $325,000 * Matt Hughes at UFC 98: $260,000 * Forrest Griffin at UFC 92: $210,000 * Lyoto Machida at UFC 98: $200,000 * Rashad Evans at UFC 98: $200,000
Some of these fighters only fight once or twice a year so these figures could be annual earnings or 50% of annual earnings. Because the fights are dictated by the UFC fight calendar, injuries, and the availability of coaches, Ultimate Fighters have less control over their earnings than their counterparts in other sports.
Of course, average fighters aren't even in the same league as the top competitors. An average fighter can expect to be paid around $30,000 per show. If they win, they are paid another $30,000.
How much would you want to make to take a hit like these guys?
Sources: * MMA Frenzy * MMA Weekly * The Mixed Martial Arts News Website
Damian Kutzner is a serial entrepreneur who understands success. He opened his own real estate firm at 23 then went on to launch one of the most successful debt settlement firms in the nation. Damian is the founder and CEO of Integrated Legal Systems (ILS), a company that provides applications to simplify the way law firms do business. He is also the president of Serious Pimp, an extreme lifestyle clothing company that sponsors MMA fighters and events.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/The-Truth-About-MMA-Fighter-Salaries/719478

Five Tips To Buy MMA Shorts
Written by Robart Alex Monday, 14 September 2009
Balanced diet and proper exercise are very essential for a healthy body and healthy mind. Without having a healthy body, no one can climb through the ladder of success. You need to do proper exercise to keep yourself fit. There are different types of exercise. You need to know the right procedures of exercise. By doing a regular and proper exercise, you can become strong and healthy. Many people love to work out in gym to reduce extra flab from their body. It is in fact a good way to slash away the fat from the body. But you need to keep in mind certain things before you step into the gym. Selecting the right pair of MMA shorts is very essential. There are different types of MMA shorts. You may find it difficult to select one from a long list. You need to consider certain things while selecting a pair of MMA short. Quality is an important factor that you need to consider. Budget is an important issue. There are some MMA short buying tips for you.1. Cool- You need to select a MMA shorts that is stylish and cool in appearance. It can have positive impact on your personality. It is not the number one factor, but you should surely consider it while buying a pair of MMA short.2. Comfort- Select a MMA short that is comfortable to wear. You should never ever compromise with your comfort. It is in fact one of the most important factors that you need to consider while buying this item. You can try MMA short before purchasing it. If you find it uncomfortable, it is better to try the next one. You will find it easy to work out by wearing comfortable MMA short.3. Fit- Buying the MMA shorts that fits well in your body is incredibly necessary. You will definitely find it difficult to exercise by wearing uncomfortable shorts. So, it is very essential to buy the right pair of MMA clothing. You can put on the short before buying it. By doing this, you will be able to know whether the MMA short fits in your body or not.4. You want to select the right MMA Shorts for the right reason. Garments play an important role in martial arts or any other kind of physical activities. Judo, taekwondo or karate, every martial art has its own type of recommended costume. You need to consider this factor while buying a dress for martial art. Your trainer can also assist you in selecting the exact kind of dress for the right purpose.5. Quality is an important factor. You need to pay much attention to the quality of the costume that you purchase for your martial art courses. Comfort and durability factors are very crucial. It will have a positive impact on your personality and confidence.
Article Source: http://www.articleblast.com/
About The Author:Ultimate Fitness 4 U is offers a lot of fitness items. They are known for their quality bodybuilding supplements, quality MMA clothing, boxing equipments, fitness equipments,MMA shorts and many other health products. It offers all these products at a very reasonable price. You can get quality items from Ultimate Fitness store.

Submit Gear Sponsors Female MMA Fighter Liz Posener
Written by Amedeo Lanasa Tuesday, 26 December 2006
December 17, 2006
Press Release - Toronto Ontario - Mixed Martial Arts clothing company Submit Gear Inc is proud to announce their sponsorship of Canadian mixed martial arts fighter Liz Posener.
Liz is a 31 year old mother of two, who studies Pankration and Muay Thai kickboxing at the Kel Lee's Academy of Martial Arts in Vancouver, BC, owned by her husband Simon. She entered the mixed martial arts scene five years ago, but her love for the sport began at a young age. Her first exposure to contact fighting was watching boxing with her father. From there, her interests expanded onto grappling and other contact sports. In the Posener household, martial arts is truly a way of life. Liz is married to a former PNW Pro Pankration Champion, and North American Pro Muay Thai Champion. Their 10 year-old daughter Lydia is not only her biggest fan, but she also trains and competes in kick boxing herself.Like other practitioners of the sport, Elizabeth had to deal with stereotypes and misconceptions from day one.
"When I talk to other parents they're usually surprised that a mother of two does this kind of thing, but that comes from people not knowing enough about what mixed martial artists do", Posener said. " It's not just two people beating each other in a cage."
Today, Elizabeth is one of the few female MMA fighters in Canada and has achieved several sponsors in her support. "She is without a doubt making her mark in the MMA world" says urban fight apparel company (http://www.submitgear.com)/ owner Mark Chiappino.
She was the first female fighter to compete in both the "Elite Fighting Championships" and the "Real Fighting Championships". Her current MMA record is 3-1-0, all wins by TKO.
Elizabeth will be fighting in Florida's first women's MMA title fight on December 22, 2006 for the UFC (Unified Cage Fights) bantamweight mma title. Following that event, will be another title fight in the "Gladiators Challenge" on January 26th, 2007.
Who says women can't fight?
Article Source: http://www.articleblast.com/
About The Author:About Submit GearSubmit Gear is a Toronto-based on-line company specializing in Urban Mixed Martial Arts fight apparel. Through our products and sponsorship programs, we are proud to support the best sport in the world, and more importantly, the martial artists who make it all happen.Submit Gear Inc.PO Box 80023Toronto, OntarioM8V 4A1CANADAhttp://http://www.submitgear.com/

Beat Down: How the Top MMA Fighters Train for a Bloodbath
Written by Dane Fletcher Wednesday, 17 January 2007
It was the mid-1990s and the Ultimate Fighting Championship was doing great business by promoting its events as the "bloodiest, most violent fighting you will ever see. Skeptics referred to the mixed-martial arts battles as "human cockfights."Switch back to 2004, and the UFC has slowly but surely created a niche for itself. Sure, it's probably still the bloodiest fighting you may see, but now it's ready to go mainstream.When the UFC began in 1993, it was a plan to make some bucks on pay-per-view in which fighters from different fighting disciplines all fought in one tournament to see who was the best and answer the age-old question of "who would win a fight between a boxer and a wrestler?""It was such a hit on pay-per-view it was making money, but one of the big problems they faced was in the matchmaking and the way they marketed it," said UFC president Dana White. "That did the job of selling pay-per-view, but it created a negative image. It wasn't a bad idea, but they never expected this to become a sport."Still, to the untrained eye, mixed-martial arts fighting can often have the look of two men in an octagon-shaped cage trying desperately to rip one another's arms off and beat them with the bloody stump. While this perception may cause conniption fits for UFC purists. Even most UFC fighters will readily admit that they are drawn to the sport for its competitive violence."Basically it's just a never-ending battle," welterweight Robbie Lawler said. "I just do it because I enjoy it. It's who I am. If you knock someone out you definitely feel it.While eye-catching (and eye-dislocating) knockouts are always the big draw for any fight fan, UFC fights can often descend into a virtual scrum, with the fight becoming a test of wills and conditioning.Because of this, mixed-martial arts fighters generally have training routines that incorporate several different methods. Weight-lifting, running and other cardio work, wrestling and sparring all have their place for ultimate fighters, with each fighter finding a routine that not only increases endurance and strength, but also helps his individual fighting style.Most fighters will train according to their fight schedules. Weight training becomes a pariah when a fighter gets closer to a scheduled fight, as fighters look to maximize strength, cardio and flexibility.Randy Couture, is one of the UFC's most popular fighters (and at 40 one of its oldest) uses both tried-and-true and modern training methods to prepare for a fight, as well as a year-round routine that includes running and weight training."I like to have about eight-to-10 weeks before a fight," Couture said. "I'll train twice a day for three hours, running sprints, doing plyometric exercises, weight training. I like to taper 10 days out, no lifting or sparring."Weight training for mixed-martial arts fighters tends to be a fine line. Power and speed go hand-in-hand in the octagon, and most fighters train for strength and conditioning rather than size.Pure strength will always play a role in MMA fighting, but one needs only look at a recent fight card for one of UFC's competitors, K-1. Former sumo grand master Akebono came into the ring at nearly 500 pounds to take on former NFL star Bob Sapp.An imposing figure himself at 6-foot-7, 344 pounds, Sapp quickly figured out how to avoid the 6-foot-8 Akebono's powerful rushes then quickly beat Akebono to the canvas for a first-round knockout."I trained hard for two months," said Akebono after regaining lucidity. "I had no idea how strong Bob was, but tonight I was able to experience his strength."A typical weight training routine for an MMA fighter can include power cleans and snatches, bodyweight and jump squats. Lower reps are the norm and extra bulk could mean trouble making weight. Still, fighters like former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, who tips the scale at 275, will spend hours in the gym working on bulk when they have no fight scheduled.For a fighter like Lawler, speed is the key, so he must contain his inner drive to bulk up in the weight room."Before I was kind of a power lifter, scrunt guy," Lawler said. "Now with weights I work mostly on my back and trunk, which is where a fighter's power comes from."Where MMA fighters get the majority of their training, however, is in the cage. Both Lawler and Sylvia train in Davenport, Iowa under the watchful eye of Pat Miletich. Having several competitive fighters working together is an added plus for most fighters."It's hard to get a big head around here because we all just beat on each other," Sylvia said. "I'll go 12 (three-minute) rounds a day and then work on my grappling."Like most modern athletes, MMA fighters have incorporated nutrition into their workouts. Most will use supplements such as creatine as well as diets created specifically for them."At my age, it's all about recovery," Couture said. "I take a super-green powder called LightForce three times a day that gives you all the power from green vegetables. You can only sit around and eat so much salad."While most UFC fighters will downplay the use of steroids in training, most will admit there are fighters they know who will go that route.Last year, Sylvia tested positive in a post-fight drug test for the steroid Winstrol. Sylvia, who was UFC heavyweight champion at the time, admitted to using the steroid and was suspended for six months. Instead of being viewed as being a negative, however, White and crew look at it as a success of the new UFC."He's a real good kid, he made a mistake, he knows it, and he knows I don't condone it at all," White said. "The athletic commissions do all the drug tests for us now. We wanted to be regulated and it's paying off."Sylvia has since returned, and the 275-pound heavyweight said his foray into steroids was a mistake. And while Sylvia said he has a love for training, he's in the UFC for one reason - to knock people out."The first time I ever fought in an MMA tournament I had to pay $25 to get in," Sylvia said. " I knocked the guy out in 12 seconds. It was worth a few bucks to have that feeling."RANDY COUTURENickname: The NaturalAge: 40Style: WrestlingAchievements: An Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling alternate for the U.S. in four Olympics. Has done several commercials and also had a recurring role as a corrections officer on HBO's "Oz". "I told my mom the first time I was on, she ended up watching it and calling me ‘What kind of show is this, do you have your clothes on?' I said ‘Mom, I'm a cop on the show, I keep my clothes on."Views on steroid use: "Coming from the background I come from, it's not only frowned upon it's hard to get away with. I knew on occasion my opponents were rumored to be using something but it never really bothered me. Most of those guys tended to get tired very quickly. My opinion is they aren't going to win fights. I never saw the need to take shortcuts, they just want to avoid the hard work."Nutrition: Uses a variety of supplements. "I use joint compound, multivitamins, recovery drinks, a pretty wide selection." Couture also takes Light-Force, a supplement that gives you a high dosage of nutrients from green vegetables. "It handles a lot of the acids you get from working out," Couture said.Workout Routine: Geared specifically for the sport. Couture does a lot of reps on metabolic-type circuits for his shoulders and back, hip areas, usually twice a week. He also incorporates Olympic-type training, with squats and presses. Road work, on varying levels, is always part of the routine and Couture trains year-round, keeping his weight down. Couture also thanks a higher power for his physical prowess. "I've been blessed with pretty good genetics, no joint problems which is pretty much unheard of in this sport.KEN SHAMROCKNickname: The World's Most Dangerous ManHeight, Weight: 6-foot-1, 205 poundsAge: 40Style: Submission FightingStanding: Heavyweight contenderRecord: 6-3-2Achievements: The UFC's most recognizable name, Shamrock competed in UFC's first event, The Beginning. Defeated Dan "The Beast" Severn by submission with a guillotine choke just 2:14 into the contest in 1995 to be crowned the first UFC Super Fight Champion. Shamrock spent a year with World Wrestling Entertainment before returning to mixed-martial arts fighting. "It was a great experience for me. It was taxing with all the traveling you have to do. My hats are off to those guys. They are true warriors."Views on steroid use: Dabbled in steroids as a younger athlete, but avoids them now. "When you take steroids, they will make you stronger, but it's going to take its toll on you, it's a false strength. Everybody is pressed to win, new fighters are young and there is a lot of pressure on winning."Nutrition: Shamrock is one of the few UFC fighters who doesn't use much in the way of supplements. He has concerns that Creatine may cause cramping. "I wouldn't use a meal replacement. In training, I try and eat a lot of chicken, turkey, egg-whites, plain vegetables, anything that I can steam that's not frozen. I also drink lots of water."Workout Routine: Shamrock works with weights up to three weeks before a fight, focusing on high reps. Closing in on a fight, cardio becomes the key. He will run, spar five, five-minute rounds, jump rope and work on his grappling. "I cut out the weights the closer it gets to a fight," Shamrock said. "I'll do sit-ups and spar five-five minute rounds, and really work hard on my cardio."TIM SYLVIANickname: The Maine-iacHeight, Weight: 6-foot-8, 265 poundsAge: 27Style: Miletich Fighting SystemsStanding: Former heavyweight championRecord: 18-0-0Views on steroid use: In October 2003, the Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Sylvia $7,500 and suspended him four months after being tested positive for Winstrol. "After I fought Rico I had a little bit of body fat that I wanted to take off. Everyone said ‘this is water based, it will go right through you.' I didn't see any results, so I stopped using it, but it showed up on the test," Sylvia said.Nutrition: Sylvia uses amino acids, Creatine, Hydroxy Cut and other supplements in his training. Sylvia came into the UFC at 337 pounds, and has done a solid job at the dinner plate as well as the ring. "I try to only do one cheat day a week. Six to eight weeks before a fight I'll have a cup of carbs every three hours. No candy bars or any type of sugar. It's part of the career, part of the job," Sylvia said.Workout Routine: Prior to fights, Sylvia works one body part a day on weights, does minor roadwork and works on his fighting skills up to six hours a day. "Two weeks before, it's really hard. You're breaking down and crying. It's balls to the wall. Sparring 12 rounds straight, everything."ROBBIE LAWLERNickname: RuthlessAge: 22Height, Weight: 5-foot-11, 170Style: Miletich Fighting SystemsStanding: Welterweight contenderRecord: 4-1-0Views on steroid use: Doesn't use them, and adds that steroids won't help what a fighter needs most. "I think that's just a way to make up for a lack of hard work. If you get punched steroids aren't going to help."Nutrition supplements: Uses Creatine, Protein, Amino Acids, Cytomax and recovery drinks. "The supplements just help me recover." While his youth allows him a bit more flexibility in his nutrition, Lawler still pays attention to what goes in his body. "Right now I'm eating three-to-one carbs to protein, which I'm doing for a more lean body. I started doing more running."Workout Routine: Works weights hard up to three weeks before a fight, concentrating on his back and shoulders for a good power base. Lawler is now working to get more lean and quick, after spending his high school days pounding away at the bench press. "I love working out, because there's so many variables. I do alot of timed About the Author: Dane Fletcher is the world's foremost training authority. He writes exclusively for GetAnabolics.com , a leading online provider of Steroids and Bodybuilding Supplements. For more information, please visit http://www.getanabolics.com/.
Article Source: http://www.articleblast.com/
About The Author:About the Author: Dane Fletcher is the world's foremost training authority. He writes exclusively for GetAnabolics.com , a leading online provider of creatine and clenbuterol. For more information, please visit http://www.getanabolics.com/.

Why Box When You Can Use MMA
Written by Naomi West Saturday, 21 March 2009
There are loads of sports that call for physical contact - but none more than martial arts. Many people might disagree and believe that boxing or wrestling utilizes more physical contact and offers more technique for the fighters performing. But boxing has greatly diminished and wrestling is full of drama and on stage humiliation and arranged fighting.MMA - also well-known as mixed martial arts - is an all new type of fighting that has become popular in several countries. The UFC - best-known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship - is the biggest presenter for MMA and holds several fights for it every year with countless contenders. Even a few top fighters from boxing are trying MMA.MMA mixes the art of numerous contrasting types of martial arts for fighters to apply. In one fight you could see fighters applying wrestling, judo, Muay Thai kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. The MMA fighters will battle it out employing techniques from these contrasting forms of fighting inside of an eight sided cage. The only way to win is to knock out the opponent, force them to tap out utilising a submission, or to succeed by the decision of the judges.The fighters will go at each other for three, five minute rounds in which time the judges will observe and determine who won if no one is knocked out or has tapped out. The fights can be brutal. It is the referees job to make sure to stop it if one fighter is not able to defend themselves. This avoids critical damage to either fighter.Training for an MMA competition needs hours of dedication and practice. It might take years for someone to study the many martial art techniques and how to use it for fighting. They will begin as amateurs and slowly work their way up to becoming pro fighters. They use special fight gear that include particular training gloves and Everlast MMA gloves. These gloves are produced in such a way to allow the fighters to utilize their hands so that they can grab their opponent and perform a submission.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com
About The Author:MMA fighters use Everlast MMA Gloves to ensure that their hands are protected and safe without losing power to hit their opponents. For added protection they use MMA Training Gloves with more padding to ward off injuries. Keep up on the latest MMA news and the fighters competing.

MMA Forums-Innovative website provides Mixed Martial Arts resources
Written by admin dgs Wednesday, 15 April 2009
The mmatalk forum is a forum which discusses the virtues of the MMA or mixed martial arts. This form of martial arts is essentially a style of martial arts which incorporates a variety of styles into, what is considered by many, as the ultimate martial art. Its style is contemporary in that it utilises the strengths of several different styles into a form which is geared towards self defence. For interested parties the debate rages on at www.mmatalk.co.uk. This innovative MMA , or mixed martial art forum provides a wealth of information and resources on one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Its pages are full of useful user friendly advice and discussion on the subject of mixed martial arts, which as the name implies is a combination of several martial arts, ultimately into a form which provides the best means of self defence. The growing readership of the MMA Forum is testament to the popularity of this sport. Constantly updated MMA News is provided which ensures its readers are kept abreast of anything related to MMA. This MMA forum has a simple aim, which it achieves admirably, and that is to provide informative advice and resources to enable its readers to make an informed choice in relation to which martial art is most effective and efficient for their circumstances. The advice regarding mixed martial arts endeavours to provide a balanced view of this sport.For those looking for further information and to join the growing debate, then visit www.mmatalk.co.uk
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com

Custom MMA T shirts offered by MMA Clothing Company

Written by Amedeo Lanasa

Tuesday, 20 October 2009



PRESS RELEASE - (Toronto, Ontario) October 10th, 2009 - Canadian based MMA clothing company Submit Gear Fight Apparel announced today that they are offering custom apparel to gym and store owners at prices that are below the company's wholesale costs that they offer to distributors.


"A lot of martial arts schools just don't have the extra cash flow to buy t shirts or MMA shorts for their students. So we're offering a cross-promotion deal that includes both company names somewhere on the t shirts at prices below our normal wholesale cost" says Joe Nepa, Marketing manager at Submit Gear.


Submit Gear chooses to promote their brand more through sponsorships (for fighters and events) and not so much through advertising such as newspapers and magazines. "Sponsorships is a way of "giving back" to the MMA community says Mark Chiappino, president of Submit Gear. "Unforunatly, we can't always accept every request.


The cross-promotion program is available to all Canadian, U.S., and U.K customers. For ore information on the program, please contact Mark at info@submitgear.com.




About Submit Gear


Submit Gear is a Toronto-based on-line company specializing in MMA Clothing for the fighter, and fan. Through our products and sponsorship programs, we are proud to support the best sport in the world, and more importantly, the martial artists who make it all happen.



Submit Gear Inc.

PO Box 80023

Toronto, Ontario

M8V 4A1

www.SubmitGear.com


Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com


About The Author:

Amedeo Lanasa worls for Submit Gear Fight Apparel - a Toronto-based on-line company specializing in MMA Clothing for the fighter, and fan.