MMA Fighting for a 15 year old?

Question

I'm a 15 year old living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I was wondering if there are any kind of opportunities for me to participate in MMA. I'm not sure if you can start this young but I'm just wondering...

Answer 1

There are plenty of opportunities to participate. You just have to think outside the box.

1) try taking up wrestling in school. Im a wrestler and my high school coach also does MMA. there are alot of parallels between MMA and wrestling when it gets into ground-fighting. Also, wrestling will help you get used to pain. Im sure your gonna need that. It also keeps you in shape, and helps burn off excess body fat.

2) take up a martial art. Im not that familiar with most of them, but they would definatly help your fighting, even if you wan only practice your form for now.

3) lift weights. While skill is definatly better than strength, strength sets apart the good from the great.

4) run. This is always a good idea. running, biking, or jumping rope keep your cardio up. You will become more endurant, more fit, faster recovery time, and believe it or not but it will be harder for people to choke you out. Cardio reduces the amount of oxygen needed to fully perform.

As for full octogon fighting, no. you have to wait for that. But these things will help you get ready for the day you are able to compete.

Answer 2

Hey Spencer,

Of course you can start that young, as long as you stay devoted to it. My 19 year old son started in MMA training when he was about your age as well.

My personal recommendations for your actual training regiment comes from http://www.athletes.com/fun/mmafightingt... where you can condition your body for the MMA, and also there they provide supplements such as protein and glutamine that I would HIGHLY recommend throughout growing up. They have a ton of information there when it comes to the training.

As for your participation I would keep on training until you are about 18 and then register for events around the North-East US.

And as for MMA gear goes for. I've always dealt with a company called Martial Arts Pride. They have proved to me that their customer service is excellent by their personal interaction with you. And also their prices are very very competitive when it comes to what you need. You can check them out at http://www.martialartspride.com .

I wish you the best of luck with everything and keep on training!

-Jack

Answer 3

Yes you can, but its more like pancrase or submission fighting than what you think of american as  MMA. the rules are about the same but no closed fist or knees. they have alot more padding on during the fights as well.

Answer 4

i think the sooner you start the better

consider the fact that some of the up and coming fighters in UFC are in there early to mid 20's

starting younger he has a better chance of getting more experience

so what if you can't train full contact yet

by the time your 18, with 3 years of training, working out, making a solid weight at w/e you want to fight at

good luck

congrats

wish i had started as young as you

Answer 5

You can start training but you can't start full contact fighting until your 18.

Answer 6

I've personally seen amateur fights that take guys as young as 16 with a parental waiver.

But even if you can't find a fight, start training like a freak and compete in grappling tournaments like grappler's quest.  Look for no-gi grappling, as it is closer to MMA.

And wrestle in high school.  I'll say it again: WRESTLE IN HIGH SCHOOL.  Compete and train in it like crazy.  The skills you will develop in there are invaluable.  It will also teach you some bad habits (like fighting with your head down, and right side forward) but these are more than offset by the benefits you'll get.

Wrestling + BJJ = very dangerous.  Add boxing and muay thai and you will be an MMA powerhouse.

Answer 7

Yes. Join a fighting gym. And ask them.. Also, write to the WEC or UFC and ask them.

Answer 8

yeah id say youd want to be at least 20 anyway and this will give you plenty of time to train for it but hat you can do is go to a karate school(i do not reccomend you do this) that competes at a state level but even better do jui jitsu  and thai boxing they generally compete and have tournaments and they will set you up in amatuer fights if you want but i live in australia and train in a kung fu style so it is very hard for me to get into competitions as this particular style is for street fighting and comp fighting is very different over here so good luck with your training dude