Program List

• Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
• Grappling
• Striking
• Junior Jiu Jitsu
• Fight Fitness
• Empire Academy Training Philosophy

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport in which two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another by utilizing three general tactics: striking, finishing holds, and control.

The rules allow the combatants to use a variety of martial arts techniques, including punches, kicks, joint-locks, chokes, takedowns and throws to defeat their opponent. Well-known MMA organizations include the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championship. MMA was previously known as "NHB" for "No Holds Barred", but this term is now technically retired. It is no longer an accurate description of the modern competitions that utilize a list of rules and banned techniques that have been developed for the fighters' safety.

Balance as previosuly stated is the core concept of of Empire’s MMA training. Being well rounded with both grappling and strking techniques is of the uptmost inportance.

MMA practice at Empire consists of technical training, drill training, conditioning, specificitity training and sparring. Safety is another key factor with our training methods, you can’t train and fight if your constantly injured. Proper equipment, supervision, and training methods are strickly followed at our gym.

We will not put a fighter into a ring, cage, mat, etc. unless our coaches believe they are ready. We will not allow a fighter to be put into a dangerous situation, if your not preparred, your not fighing, Period. Since we believe in being well rounded, we suggest our fighters try there hand at many different compeition venues before competing in MMA i.e. Boxing, Kickboxing, Sanda, Submission Grappling to get the feel for the physical confrontation of combat sports.

Team members that plan on fightng must train in both the grappling and striking programs, regardless of experience. This is a essential to become well rounded and for our coaches to essess skill and training needs, to filling in gaps putting it all together prior to fighting.

Typically once a student is in the Adv Grappling & Striking classes they may attend the MMA classes, upon a Coaches approval. MMA classes are drilling and sparring intensive, its important that our students are physically prepared along with having a solid foundation in the basics. Students in the MMA program are expected have several hour sparring on both the mat and in the ring prior to attending the MMA and Team practices.