Can't find an MMA gym, should I do striking or grappling?

[Alphaboy]

AlphaboyOrange Belt

I need some advice:
My background is in MMA. I was recently doing Judo for 2 years, because my school offered it for cheap, and the grappling/ throwing aspect I was familiar with. However I miss striking.

I moved so currently I got into a cardio-kickboxing class with my gf. It's good for conditioning but I miss the action of sparring.

The problem is I can't find a good MMA gym nearby... I did some research and found a very good BJJ spot and a very good Muay Thai spot. I'm leaning toward the Muay Thai because I need to get back to sparring. But then I'll miss rolling again lol.

What do you think? Should I just go with striking?

Also, does anyone know of any GOOD MMA places around Bergen County NJ (Clifton, East Rutherford, Lyndhurst)? Maybe then I won't have to choose.

 

[Minnja]

Minnja Platinum Belt

Suggestion:

I feel like many BJJ schools offer some sort of striking class. Whether it's Muay Thai or boxing, even though it might not be their specialty, most schools I've seen that are known for BJJ still have some striking classes. Might want to double check those schools and see if they are the same way.

 

[Alphaboy]

Minnja Platinum Belt

Suggestion:

I feel like many BJJ schools offer some sort of striking class. Whether it's Muay Thai or boxing, even though it might not be their specialty, most schools I've seen that are known for BJJ still have some striking classes. Might want to double check those schools and see if they are the same way.

Thanks for chiming in!

I think I'll call the school to find out if they do. If I get a little striking that's good enough.

 

[Minnja]

Thanks for chiming in!

I think I'll call the school to find out if they do. If I get a little striking that's good enough.

Most school's website should have a schedule on there that shows what times the classes are and also a page for instructors. I'm sure calling wouldn't hurt either

 

[Alphaboy]

Most school's website should have a schedule on there that shows what times the classes are and also a page for instructors. I'm sure calling wouldn't hurt either

Yea. I was actually looking for a stand up bag in the pictures, I couldn't find one, but I'll call. Let's hope I don't get pressured like I'm car shopping!

 

[Kick Strickland]

KickStricklandBlackBelt

Advice

Focus on one for a few months then focus on the other and alternate. Unless they make you sign one of those year long contracts or something, it shouldn't be too hard. Explain to the instructors what you're doing and why you're doing it and if they're reasonable people they should be ok with that.

 

[Joe Mama]

Do both IMO if they let you.

Just alternate weeks.
My daughter does both (but just alternates days)
Shes a young'n though.

 

[method115]

I wouldn't do striking simply because I don't think getting hit in the head is worth it. BJJ is really really fun though once your not to worried about your cardio anymore.

 

[DaleBoca]

Ask your apartment's maintenance man, I'm sure he's got a few tricks up his sleeve.

 

[tehend]

You already asked this.

 

[El_Dyablo619]

Your nearest park + touchbutt

 

[DoomPatrol]

I would do Muay Thai fighting over BJJ any day of the week. It has a huge carry over into personal protection compared to BJJ, especially if you already have a good Judo base. Learning to become a proficient striker is something that you have a chance of using in your life.

BJJ is a cool thing to learn, but in my experience it doesn't have much carryover into the street. You don't want to go to the ground in a street fight. You risk more disease and injuries in BJJ. You have to worry about hygiene a lot more in BJJ, and you'll be rolling around with sweaty men all the time.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather learn to punch, kick, knee, and elbow proficiently than get MRSA or Staph from rolling around playing grab-ass with a bunch of super sweaty and hairy men. That said, I've done both, and if you can do both you should. I think MT and BJJ together are a great "starter package" for learning MMA. From there, you could focus on Judo or go into an MMA school to learn take-downs and take-down defense.

 

[Alphaboy]

KickStricklandBlackBelt

Advice

Focus on one for a few months then focus on the other and alternate. Unless they make you sign one of those year long contracts or something, it shouldn't be too hard. Explain to the instructors what you're doing and why you're doing it and if they're reasonable people they should be ok with that.

Y'know, I thought of that then said "who does that?" I guess since you brought it up it isn't that unreasonable of an idea.

The BJJ place is a year contract, the Kickboxing is month to month.

 

[Alphaboy]

I would do Muay Thai fighting over BJJ any day of the week. It has a huge carry over into personal protection compared to BJJ, especially if you already have a good Judo base. Learning to become a proficient striker is something that you have a chance of using in your life.

BJJ is a cool thing to learn, but in my experience it doesn't have much carryover into the street. You don't want to go to the ground in a street fight. You risk more disease and injuries in BJJ. You have to worry about hygiene a lot more in BJJ, and you'll be rolling around with sweaty men all the time.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather learn to punch, kick, knee, and elbow proficiently than get MRSA or Staph from rolling around playing grab-ass with a bunch of super sweaty and hairy men. That said, I've done both, and if you can do both you should. I think MT and BJJ together are a great "starter package" for learning MMA. From there, you could focus on Judo or go into an MMA school to learn take-downs and take-down defense.

I was thinking the EXACT same thing, which is why I'm partial to kickboxing.

And yes, a LOT less laundry.

 

[Alphaboy]

You already asked this.

I know, but I made the mistake of asking it in off topics forum and got nothing but.

"Can I grapple yer mum" type responses. They're actually helpful here.

 

[Alphaboy]

I must add the BJJ guy says he was one of the first in the US to get a belt from a Gracie and knows some of their less mainstream techniques.

But I'm sure all BJJ gyms probably say that (?) lol

 

[Jesus X]

....

 

[Jesus X]

I think kurt Pellegrino has an mma school somewhere in NJor where ever franky edgar trains. you should train MT it is a lot of fun.

 

[BearGrounds]

Pick whichever you're worse at.

 

[colby25]

Y'know, I thought of that then said "who does that?" I guess since you brought it up it isn't that unreasonable of an idea.

The BJJ place is a year contract, the Kickboxing is month to month.

The school I attended to was an MMA school but I would go through seasons where'd mostly focus on one aspect of fighting over the other. For instance when I was like 18 I remember that summer I said I wanted to work on my striking so that's all I did was come in before class and spar my coach and the get crapped kicked out of me for the entire summer.

It's easier to improve something when you focus solely on one aspect of the game-At least for me anyway. And if you're worried about your grappling or striking suffering while you're off focusing solely on the other... Usually if I jump back into something I've neglected for awhile such as grappling I'm a bit rusty first few rolls but In no time back to where I use to be, kinda like riding a bicycle and with striking it's all about getting your timing back again.