London Shootfighters

[Wrath of Foamy]

I've been doing MMA on and off for about seven months but because of my shift patterns, I haven't been able to go enough in order to get used to being hit, becoming more physically fit and making certain techniques second nature.

As I live in Ealing, I'm looking for something closer to home and where I can train often. As Park Royal isn't far at all from where I live, I'm just wondering if anyone has any opinions of the camp.

I loved going where I used to train and I have a lot of respect for the teacher there, but I trail behind because of my shift and studies whilst the rest continually improve. Frustrating.

Anyway, London Shootfighters, what do you guys think? Anyone recommend anywhere else?

[superstriker]

If you don't learn how to fight maybe you can learn how to rob a bank and flee the country.

[Minatour MMA]

I used to train there for Wrestling, the classes were excellent. This was at the old London Shootfighters now they have a massive facility, like a sports centre kind of size, all the same coaches are still there with a few great additions like famous Muay Thai trainer Bill Judd from KO Gym.

[BJJArsenal]

Not to outright discredit the gym, but here's a couple matches from a local competition. Let's just make your mind up by yourself, but I'll add that the way they act is not my cup of tea.

[yodsaenkla]

Originally Posted by BJJArsenal

Not to outright discredit the gym, but here's a couple matches from a local competition. Let's just make your mind up by yourself, but I'll add that the way they act is not my cup of tea.

Damn, two serious dick moves there, how about if they had two Muay Thai fighters go into wrestling matches against them and say "fuck it" whilst kneeing them in the head.

[yodsaenkla]

Where are Carlson Gracie located these days? They used to be in Hamersmith but they moved, to be honest I've trained at both I would recommend Carlson if training for competing and definitely recreation.

[Tornado]

Re: the YouTube videos:

Total meatheads. Sport BJJ is a sport, not a fight. Poor guy got slammed twice by idiots from the same team.

yodsaenkla: I agree. Either that or eye gouge in a head and collar tie up. This behaviour is unacceptable in sport.

[barmyone45]

I trained there briefly and my experiences were in line with most of the people who posted in this thread and that retarded youtube video.

Paul Ivens is a knowledgeable grappling coach but generally it seems like a rough house camp with an emphasis on hard sparring over technique.

They had success in early MMA having coaches with a good wrestling pedigree whilst most UK based came from traditional martial arts but most other gyms are catching up with that and advancing in other areas.

[DCLXVI]

Originally Posted by BJJArsenal

Not to outright discredit the gym, but here's a couple matches from a local competition. Let's just make your mind up by yourself, but I'll add that the way they act is not my cup of tea.

That one is a takedown IMO. If you are on your feet an someone picks you get ready to hit the ground.

[M o A]

Originally Posted by yodsaenkla

Where are Carlson Gracie located these days? They used to be in Hamersmith but they moved, to be honest I've trained at both I would recommend Carlson if training for competing and definitely recreation.

Theyve moved to Goldhawk road station (about a 5-7 min walk from there)

Originally Posted by barmyone45

I trained there briefly and my experiences were in line with most of the people who posted in this thread and that retarded youtube video.

Paul Ivens is a knowledgeable grappling coach but generally it seems like a rough house camp with an emphasis on hard sparring over technique.

They had success in early MMA having coaches with a good wrestling pedigree whilst most UK based came from traditional martial arts but most other gyms are catching up with that and advancing in other areas.

This.

Pros:
-Good facilities, the best youll get in Europe for MMA.

-Youre as good as the members you are sparring with, they have a lot of pros that you can benefit from.

-They have decent wrestling classes (Unless youre willing to travel to East London where Legion Wrestling has world class coaching).

Cons:

The main reason Shootfighters has dick members like that is due to the instructors themselves, or so ive been told, are dicks themselves.

Ive heard plenty a story about how theyve instigated fights with other instructors (within the gym) causing instructors to leave.

During a kids class an instructor yelled at an 8 year old, telling him that his father was an 'idiot' for some unknown reason.

Another example, a personal friend of mine (very good boxer who knows nothing of mma) was told to spar with one of their big named fighters who absolutely got tooled, next thing you know one of the main instructors grabs him, yelling at him for not being more rounded (this was his first class in an mma gym).

Ive also heard from plenty of individuals that they wont take interest in you unless youve become a pro, otherwise youre barely on the sidelines and youre not a priority at all.

Edit: Like another poster mentioned, go check out Carlson Gracie. Unlike LS, its a really good environment, everyones friendly and in some respects the teaching is better although they dont have as good a facility.