Not sure how to start

[Doughhh]

Hey guys, i'm currently looking forward to getting in the fight game. I just don't really know how to start. Currently 21 living in San Francisco, wrestled a little bit in my last year of HS (did pretty horrible) and trained some striking on and off since I was 14. How many years will it take for me to get well rounded enough to compete? Should I do a bunch of smokers/grappling tournaments to prep me for MMA? Do I simply ask a head trainer at a gym that I wanna fight and he'll start me from there? Thanks in advance

[Davey J]

First find a good gym with fighters that are actually competing-you can use them as a reference point to where your skills need to be, and train as much as your body will allow you to. After you get comfortable with technique and develop some good conditioning start sparring and express an interest in your coach that you want to compete. Until you develop a good base to work off your trainer won't know what it will take to get you competition ready.

I had a few kickboxing matches, and competed in two NAGA grappling tournaments before I competed in mma. They are all completely different animals but they definitely helped with my confidence and first time jitters weren't as bad when I got in the cage for the first time. I would recommend an amateur kickboxing match, you wear shin guards and head gear, and you get a feel for what it's like when the other guy is actually trying to hurt/finish you.

[justdutch]

This post made me register on sherdog. Just find a nice gym and start training

[Rollotomassi]

yea, find a gym and start training right now. Ease into it, you'll see very quickly where you're at in all aspects.

[tstewa10]

Originally Posted by Davey J

First find a good gym with fighters that are actually competing-you can use them as a reference point to where your skills need to be, and train as much as your body will allow you to. After you get comfortable with technique and develop some good conditioning start sparring and express an interest in your coach that you want to compete. Until you develop a good base to work off your trainer won't know what it will take to get you competition ready.

I had a few kickboxing matches, and competed in two NAGA grappling tournaments before I competed in mma. They are all completely different animals but they definitely helped with my confidence and first time jitters weren't as bad when I got in the cage for the first time. I would recommend an amateur kickboxing match, you wear shin guards and head gear, and you get a feel for what it's like when the other guy is actually trying to hurt/finish you.

Good advice.

[Bebop]

Depends on how good your coach is, how well you learn, and how well you compete. I know people who have jumped into competition right away and done well, and I know people who have held off on competition and done horribly. I think after about 6 months of training, you'll have a good idea of where you stand.

[KurtDee2000]

Have you been in a real fight before? Have you been hit hard?

Are you thinking career or just a serious hobby?

Find a respected gym in your area and start training. You will find out soon enough if and when you are ready to compete.

[Doughhh]

Originally Posted by KurtDee2000

Have you been in a real fight before? Have you been hit hard?

Are you thinking career or just a serious hobby?

Find a respected gym in your area and start training. You will find out soon enough if and when you are ready to compete.

Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate it. To the first question, not really i've only had a few boxing/muay thai sparring sessions before but I know what it's like to get hit really hard without gloves. I'm thinking of trying this out as a career, I feel as if i've been holding out too long and wasted a lot of my youth already standing on the sideline pondering if I should get in the mix or not.

[hell wall]

you should do it bro!! join the mma club in your area and get a solid 4 month in competing in jitz tourneys then do an AM FIGHT....MASTER THE ANACONDA CHOKE it will help you along the way

[SalmanShakeel]

pop down to Gilbert Melendez gym!!