How can I convince my parents to let me practice MMA?

Question

I found a place to practice MMA and I want to convince my parents ( specially my dad ) to let me practice MMA. I've been doing 3 years of Judo and my dad prefers traditional martial arts. He also thinks its too brutal and stuff! How could I convince him! The classes cost 394$ for 6 months or 549$ for a year! I also have braces and he thinks it could like break them or something. If it helps I'm a 14 year old boy 120 lbs.

Answer 1

i dunno. martial arts is martial arts. if i were you i'd practice  in the art of bjj or something similar. your only 14. that way you'll have a great ground game before entering mma. i think technique speaks for itsself. learn to be technical when your 14, then when your a bit older i bet he'll let you transfer.  

Answer 2

Sorry, bro, but if I was your parents, I would probably say no too. I'm 15, and my parents would let me do pretty much any combat sport. However, I 'm waiting until I turn 16, maybe a bit longer, before I do actual MMA classes and such. A lot of MMA moves aren't good for a growing body. :-(

What I would advise you to do, is to take up some boxing, maybe study some Muay Thai, I doubt your dad would mind boxing (the larger gloves are very comforting to parents), not so sure about MT.

Give it a year, or so, with reminders to your dad now and then that your still interested in practicing MMA.  

Answer 3

If you're only 14, you should try to make your high school wrestling team to give you a ground game.  You may have a good chance at convincing your dad to let you take a "stand up" martial art.  if you can handle both of these, maybe he wouldn't be so tough about the MMA gym in a couple of years.  

Answer 4

Most mma places have specified jiu jitsu and sparring classes, try the jiu jitsu one, its very traditional. Let them get used to this then start asking for more classes after they see some.

Answer 5

I dont see how mma could be any more brutal than judo in a controlled environment like an actual school.  Its a martial art to be learned and practiced like the others.  Traditional has its place and of course mma is very popular right now and considered "new" but it actually isnt.  in its purest form mma has been around for years but now its being glamorized and taught in more locations.  Its all traditional with a little more mental toughness as well as physical.  However, i could see how the braces issue may be a problem.. those things are not cheap and if you are striking as well as grappling there is better chance at them breaking than say in a judo class.  I wouldnt see your age as a problem...neither the price...but your braces and the investment in them would make me think twice about putting you in an art like mma.  Besides you have to go full out in mma, you cant be worried about something like your braces breaking while rolling with someone.  Even mouth guards cause braces to pop, so thats not a final solution either.  Show your dad you really want it by training as if you were taking the classes already and getting ready for them and maybe when the braces come off you'll be in.  good luck.

Answer 6

It is not that brutal at all. People say Boxing can cause more serious Brain damage anyway. I also have braces, but they do have a mouthguard for them. And its not like they are gonna be beating on you anyway. They are gonna teach you. Not kick your a/ss.