Tag: Combat

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn MMA in Singapore.

Have you ever wondered why many top CEOs and celebrities are drawn to martial arts? What could these high-profile individuals, with their packed schedules and myriad of responsibilities find in the disciplined and demanding world of martial arts?

This article delves deep into the reasons behind this intriguing phenomenon, exploring the various benefits and motivations that drive these successful people towards martial arts training.

The Attraction Of Martial Arts: More Than Just Physical Fitness

Some of the reasons why a growing number of high-profile executives and celebrities choose martial arts training to balance out their grueling work schedules include:

1) A Unique Form Of Stress Relief

Imagine the high-pressure environments CEOs and celebrities navigate daily. For them, martial arts offer a unique form of stress relief; a way to disconnect from their hectic lives and focus on the present. Training sessions provide a mental break, allowing them to shed their stress in a physically engaging way.

2) Discipline And Focus

Martial arts are not just about physical prowess; they are deeply rooted in discipline and focus. High achievers are often drawn to these aspects, finding parallels between the dedication required in martial arts and their professional lives. Training consistently and diligently hones their focus and determination, traits that are invaluable in their careers.

3) Self-Defense And Empowerment

In a world where personal security is a growing concern, many CEOs and celebrities turn to martial arts for self-defense skills. The ability to protect oneself and loved ones is empowering, particularly for individuals who are often in the public eye. This empowerment transcends physical defense, instilling a sense of confidence that permeates all areas of life.

Celebrities And CEOs 

Some of the most notable celebrities and CEOs who have dedicated themselves to martial arts training include:

1) Chatri Sityodtong

Most people these days know Chatri as the CEO of ONE Championship, but don’t let the fancy suits fool you. Before starting one of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organizations, Chatri was a dedicated martial artist who started training Muay Thai during his childhood, and little did he know that training would end up defining his life.

His Muay Thai skills allowed him to pay his way through college when he moved to the United States and allowed him to make a name for himself. Chatri also credits his Muay Thai training as the reason he was able to face the challenges he faced as a homesick immigrant in the U.S. It provided an escape and allowed him to reconnect with his Thai roots.

Chatri Sityodtong promoted to brown belt in BJJ.

Now 52, martial arts training is still a huge part of Chatri’s life and he’s also been training BJJ for a few decades.

“Over 30+ years later, I still train Muay Thai almost every day,” Chatri explained during an interview. “I have also picked up a little bit of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over the years too. For me, the most unexpected thing is that this crazy love for martial arts also ended up giving birth to some of my favorite companies like ONE Championship, Evolve MMA, Evolve University, Evolve Vacation, and Evolve Fight Gear.  Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to my life if I had never walked into Sityodtong Gym that day so long ago.”

Many other martial artists feel the same way about their lives. Martial arts training tends to open doors you don’t even see at first.

2) Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during the pandemic and he seems to have been bitten by the BJJ bug. He’s been dedicated to his training ever since he started, and he’s even won a few medals competing at tournaments.

Zuckerberg has also shown an interest in mixed martial arts and he’s been seen working his striking techniques as well. The Meta CEO got into a spat with SpaceX founder Elon Musk earlier in the year, and both men hinted at the possibility between the two.

That likely won’t occur given how much more time Zuckerberg has had training. Ironically, the same attributes that turned Zuckerberg into one of the youngest billionaires in the world have also helped him tremendously on the mat: his willingness to fail. He feels that’s what holds most people back from accomplishing their dreams.

“Part of learning is failing,” Zuckerberg elaborated about his training. “People who train jiujitsu — you need to not have pride.”

That’s a sentiment that’s quite popular in BJJ spaces. It’s virtually impossible to master the fighting style if you have a massive ego. You’re going to get tapped out a lot when you start training BJJ. Take each loss as a learning experience and you’ll be the one tapping others out in a few months if you stick with it.

That’s the same mentality that can make you a billionaire CEO someday.

3) Tom Hardy

Hardy won an Oscar for his fantastic performance in the MMA movie “Warrior,” and he’s now one of the leading names in Hollywood. Hardy started training BJJ because of the movie and he immediately fell in love with the sport.

He eventually started signing up for tournaments and has enjoyed lots of success on the mat. He won gold medals at his weight division in the No-Gi and Gi ReOrg Open Championships in 2022.

4) Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan is a lifelong martial artist who holds black belts in taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The long-time UFC commentator credits martial arts for where he is today, from landing a job with the UFC and becoming the most recognized commentator in mixed martial arts and his highly successful podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.”

Rogan’s understanding of mixed martial arts allowed him to give valuable insights on mixed martial arts fights, giving him a substantial advantage over most of the sport’s early commentators, many of whom barely knew what basic things like underhooks were.

Rogan’s martial arts expertise is so respected that mixed martial arts legends like Georges St. Pierre trained with him and learned techniques from him. GSP credits Rogan for the smooth spinning back kicks that ended up being one of his signature moves.

5) Jason Statham

Jason Statham, a name synonymous with high-octane action films, has a martial arts journey that is as compelling as his on-screen persona. His foray into the world of martial arts began long before he became a Hollywood star, shaping not only his physical abilities but also his approach to life and acting.

Statham’s introduction to martial arts started with Wing Chun, a form of Kung Fu, during his early years. This style, known for its close-range combat techniques, laid the foundation for his martial arts skills. However, it was his exploration into various other forms, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, and Kickboxing, that truly diversified his abilities. Statham’s dedication to BJJ, in particular, stands out. He has been seen training rigorously in this discipline, which focuses on ground fighting and grappling, a stark contrast to the stand-up striking techniques of Wing Chun.

The integration of these martial arts disciplines not only equipped Statham with a wide range of combat skills but also instilled in him a sense of discipline, focus, and resilience. These traits have been essential in his acting career, especially in roles that demand intense physical performance. Statham’s training in martial arts has also influenced his approach to performing stunts. Known for performing his stunts in films, his martial arts background has undoubtedly contributed to his ability to execute complex and dangerous sequences with precision and safety.

Statham’s journey in martial arts is reflective of his dedication to constant improvement and versatility. Unlike many actors who might learn martial arts solely for a role, Statham’s commitment to martial arts has been a lifelong pursuit, integral to both his personal and professional life. His proficiency in multiple martial arts forms not only enhances his credibility as an action star but also demonstrates the depth of his commitment to the craft.

6) Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez’s journey in martial arts is a testament to his dedication to fitness and personal discipline. Best known for his role as A.C. Slater on the popular television show “Saved by the Bell,” Lopez has been an avid practitioner of martial arts, an interest that he developed at a young age and has continued to pursue throughout his life.

Lopez’s martial arts training began when he was just three years old, starting with karate. His passion for martial arts grew as he matured, eventually earning a black belt. His early start in karate laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to physical fitness and the discipline that martial arts require. Lopez didn’t stop at karate; he expanded his martial arts repertoire to include boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). His involvement in boxing is well-documented and he once had a celebrity boxing match against Oscar De La Hoya.

7) Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher’s martial arts journey is particularly noteworthy for its depth and intensity, especially in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Unlike many celebrities who take up martial arts as a hobby or for a movie role, Kutcher has delved deeply into BJJ, showing a level of dedication that goes beyond casual practice.

Kutcher began his BJJ training under the tutelage of Rigan Machado, a renowned figure in the martial arts world. Machado, a coral belt in BJJ, is known for training various celebrities, but Kutcher’s commitment has set him apart. Under Machado’s guidance, Kutcher has progressed rapidly in the sport, demonstrating both a natural aptitude and a serious dedication to his training. He’s currently a brown belt.

8) Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen’s martial arts journey is a story of legacy, innovation, and mastery, deeply interwoven with the evolution of martial arts cinema. Born to a martial artist mother and a newspaper editor father, Yen’s exposure to martial arts began at a very young age, setting the stage for what would become a remarkable career both in martial arts and on screen.

Yen’s mother, Bow-sim Mark, a well-respected Tai Chi and Wushu master, was his first martial arts teacher. Under her guidance, he developed a solid foundation in traditional Chinese martial arts, particularly in Wushu, which emphasizes grace, agility, and technique. His early training was rigorous and disciplined, instilling in him not just physical skills, but also an appreciation for the cultural and philosophical aspects of martial arts.

Perhaps most notable in Yen’s martial arts journey is his role in popularizing Wing Chun, a style he learned in preparation for his role as Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun master and teacher of Bruce Lee. Yen’s portrayal of Ip Man brought renewed interest and respect to Wing Chun, showcasing its effectiveness and philosophical depth.

9) Russell Brand

Russell Brand’s martial arts journey is an intriguing aspect of his eclectic and multifaceted life. Known primarily for his work as a comedian, actor, and author, Brand’s exploration into martial arts is less about physical prowess and more about mental and spiritual well-being.

Brand’s interest in martial arts aligns closely with his pursuit of personal development and spiritual growth. He has spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and mental health, and his turn towards martial arts appears to be part of a broader quest for inner peace and stability. In this context, martial arts are not just a form of physical exercise for Brand, but a discipline that offers a holistic approach to health and well-being.

Russell Brand’s approach to martial arts is reflective of his unique path in life. It underscores how martial arts can be adapted to serve diverse personal goals – in his case, as a tool for personal transformation and healing.

10) Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and CEO known for leading companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has a lesser-known aspect to his diverse range of interests: a connection to martial arts. While Musk is not widely recognized for his martial arts prowess like some celebrities or professional athletes, he recently claimed to have trained in Taekwondo and Kyokushin Karate as a child during an interview with Joe Rogan. Musk also said that he had recently done some BJJ training, probably to avoid getting tapped out by Mark Zuckerberg if the two ever get into a brawl.

Zuckerberg would likely be the favorite if the two ever square off inside a cage, given the fact he has recent competition experience and success, but Musk seems to be building a genuine attraction to the martial ways.

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn MMA in Singapore.

Cheat meals have become an increasingly popular concept in sports like mixed martial arts that require participants to have low body fat percentages or make weight for their competitions. There’s a common misconception that cheat meals can help to lose weight, but the evidence isn’t as clear.

Some fitness experts claim cheat meals help to preserve your metabolism, enhance the appearance and fullness of your muscles, and upregulate hormones. This article will take a detailed look at how true some of these claims are. 

Everything You Need To Know About Cheat Meals

The term “cheat meal” refers to foods that are rich in carbohydrates and fat, the type of foods you would normally try to limit in your diet. Many cheat meals can be classified as junk food and they tend to be calorie-dense foods.

A study conducted on the thematic content analysts of cheat meals people posted on social media showed that the average cheat meal contains over 3,000 calories. 

There’s another type of cheat meal termed ‘refeeds.’ A refeed is a meal with high carbohydrate content, but it doesn’t have the high-fat content of the average cheat meal. 

Athletes like mixed martial artists have to considerably restrict their calorie intake to make weight for their competitions. MMA fighters typically aim to be around five kilograms above their fighting weight on fight week, so they can cut water weight the day before their competitions to make weight. Organizations like ONE Championship have made major strides to reduce these practices by making their athletes compete at their natural weights by testing to ensure athletes aren’t dehydrated during weigh-ins. 

Effects Of Dieting On Your Body

Going on a restrictive diet to make weight for a competition can lead to endocrinological, behavioral, and adaptive metabolic responses that could hinder your weight loss goals. Cheat meals are believed to help to reduce these changes by providing your body with surplus nutrients. 

The metabolic rate of athletes typically drops by 18% while dieting and the production of the hormones ghrelin and leptin is altered. Leptin regulates appetite and lower levels lead to increased appetite, while higher levels have the opposite effect. Leptin production is reduced by 50% when dieting. 

Ghrelin also regulates appetite, with higher levels increasing appetite, while lower concentrations have the opposite effect. 

Dieting also leads to reduced protein synthesis in as little as five days after starting a calorie-restrictive diet and lowers insulin and testosterone production. A study conducted on a combat sports athlete showed that testosterone levels were considerably reduced after five days of a calorie-restrictive diet.

A growing number of combat sports and other weight-making sports are turning to cheat meals and refeeds to help address some of these changes. 

The Effectiveness Of Cheat Meals And Refeeds

Unfortunately, studies conducted on the effects of cheat meals and refeeds are inconclusive. Cheat meals and refeeds can be beneficial for those on extremely restrictive diets, but not on moderate diets. Anyone who substantially cuts their caloric intake can expect reduced testosterone, leptin, and metabolic rates. The optimal approach appears to be a moderate diet that aims to lose no more than 1% of body mass per week. 

Tips For Mixed Martial Artists Trying To Make Weight

Making weight is a critical aspect of an MMA fighter’s preparation for a fight. It’s not only about achieving the desired weight but doing it safely and effectively to maintain peak performance. Cutting weight can be physically and mentally challenging, but with the right approach, it can be more manageable. Here are some essential tips for MMA fighters trying to make weight.

1) Plan Ahead

One of the most crucial aspects of successful weight-cutting is proper planning. This involves setting a realistic target weight and creating a timeline that allows for gradual and healthy weight loss. Trying to shed a significant amount of weight in a short period can lead to dehydration and decreased performance.

2) Consult A Professional

It’s essential to work with a qualified nutritionist or dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition. They can help you create a customized diet plan that ensures you get the necessary nutrients while cutting weight. They will consider your individual needs and the timing of your weigh-in.

3) Focus On Nutrition

Nutrition is key to effective weight cutting. You should follow a balanced diet well before the fight camp starts. You can make the necessary dietary adjustments as you approach your targeted weight. Reducing your calorie intake and optimizing your macronutrient ratios (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) can help you shed pounds without sacrificing muscle mass.

4) Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a common method used for weight cutting, but it should be done under professional supervision. Reducing water intake drastically can be dangerous and affect your performance. Gradually reduce your water intake in the days leading up to the weigh-in, but avoid extreme measures. Rehydration should be a priority post-weigh-in.

5) Sauna And Hot Baths

Using saunas and hot baths can help you lose excess water weight. However, it should be done with caution and under the guidance of a professional. Overdoing it can lead to dehydration, overheating, and decreased performance. It’s best to use these methods in combination with other weight-cutting strategies.

6) Monitoring Weight Cuts

Regularly monitoring your weight and body composition is vital. This helps you track your progress and make necessary adjustments to your diet and training regimen. Being aware of where you stand concerning your target weight will prevent last-minute panic and a need for drastic measures.

7) Slowly Reduce Food Intake

Reduce your food intake gradually leading up to the weight in, rather than cutting out meals suddenly. This approach helps minimize the stress on your body and maintains energy levels.

8) Maintain Protein Intake

Maintaining adequate protein intake during the weight-cutting process is crucial to preserve muscle mass. High-protein, low-calorie meals can help you feel full while promoting muscle retention.

9) Carb Cycling

Carbohydrates are essential for energy, but manipulating your carb intake can help with weight cutting. Carbohydrate cycling involves alternating between low and high carbohydrate days to deplete glycogen stores, which can help with weight loss.

10) Professional Guidance

Consider working with a professional who can help you cut weight safely. They can provide strategies like intermittent fasting, carb manipulation, and refeeds that are tailored to your needs. A qualified coach can also monitor your health and well-being throughout the process.

11)  Mental Preparation

Weight cutting can be mentally taxing. Prepare yourself psychologically for the challenges you will face. Stay focused on your goal and maintain a positive mindset. Visualization techniques and mental coaching can be valuable tools.

12) Recovery After Weigh-In

The focus shifts to recovery after making weight. Rehydrate with electrolyte-rich drinks and consume easily digestible carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores. Be cautious about overeating, as this can lead to digestive discomfort.

When To Use Cheat Meals

While the effectiveness of cheat meals remains inconclusive, they do have their uses in combat sports. Cheat meals can provide an athlete with a break from their rigorous dieting especially if their competitions have been pushed back a few weeks or the athlete doesn’t have enough energy to keep up with their training. They can also provide a psychological boost. 

Cheat meals are often most effective when combined with hard training sessions so the extra energy is used efficiently.

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn MMA in Singapore.

The Olympic Games include several combat sports, but mixed martial arts isn’t yet one of them. Don’t worry; it’s not some conspiracy against MMA; it’s simply a reminder of how relatively new the sport is. 

The Summer Games already include many of the fighting styles that are well-represented in mixed martial arts like Karate, Boxing, Wrestling, and Judo. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognized three additional combat sports they are considering adding to the sport: Muay Thai, kickboxing, and Sambo. That’s a sign MMA could eventually be a part of the Olympic Games since it’s no more brutal than Muay Thai, for example. 

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation plans to put forward a proposal to include mixed martial arts in the Summer Games. The logical thing would be for the IOC to accept the proposal since viewership has been down the past few Olympics. Bringing in the fastest-growing sport in the world will undoubtedly bring new eyes to the games. 

The Olympics could officially recognize MMA if the biggest promoters made a strong push, but they don’t have any incentive to do so despite the fact many agree it should be part of the Summer Olympics. 

“I think it should be an Olympic sport already,” UFC president Dana White said when pressed about the matter during a fan Q&A. “It’s not my job. It’s not what I’m looking to do. I’m not pushing to turn this thing into an Olympic sport. I agree with whoever said that, yes.”

Adding MMA to the Olympics wouldn’t be a historic event. Pankration, a Greek fighting style that allowed punches, kicks, grappling, and submissions, was part of the ancient Olympic Games as far as 200 BC. 

Reasons Mixed Martial Arts Should Be Included In The Olympics

Let us take a look at some of the reasons why the IOC should consider adding MMA to the Olympic games:

1) Huge Potential

People love watching fights, and mixed martial arts is as close as it gets to real fighting. With the sport flourishing worldwide, there is no talent shortage, and it might take over the Olympic Games. 

MMA seems to be on an unstoppable course to be the most popular combat style on the planet, and those new to the sport would be amazed by the high level of skill fighters display. The Olympics might have difficulty filling up large stadiums for wrestling matches, but MMA would pack these places to full capacity. 

The Olympic Games could even lead the way to some of the biggest fights in mixed martial arts since cross-promotion events are rare. The biggest MMA promotions like ONE Championship and the UFC don’t work with each other to create super-fights, so some of the biggest names in the sport never collide. Just imagine UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya going against ONE Championship middleweight champion Reinier de Ridder in the Olympics Games. Hopefully, we’ll get to see such matchups someday. 

2) MMA Already Has Big Names

MMA is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and the many stars the sport has had have played a significant role. For example, Conor McGregor has built a following that got him a super-fight against Floyd Mayweather. The fight sold over 4 million pay-per-views and was one of the biggest fights in boxing history. 

MMA’s superstars already have a massive following that follows every move they make, and all these eyes will be on the Olympic Games when MMA is added as an event. Except for a few sports like basketball and football, most events at the Olympic Games simply don’t have that kind of star power. Michael Phelps might be the biggest name in the history of Olympic swimming, but he’s nowhere as famous as MMA stars like McGregor.  

3) It’s A Global Sport

MMA has come a long way from the days it was primarily practiced in the U.S., Japan, and Brazil. It’s now one of the biggest global sports, with every corner of the globe being well represented. That means most countries can put together MMA teams to represent them for Olympic qualifiers and the games themselves. 

The Olympic Games could even create opportunities for fighters from regions where MMA only gets limited exposure. The same way football players from smaller countries end up signing contracts with the big football leagues after the Olympics, MMA fighters who haven’t yet made a name for themselves could also benefit from the same level of exposure. 

4) It’s The Fastest Growing Sport

Unlike boxing, which has had many issues with viewership in the past decade, mixed martial arts is the fastest-growing sport in the world. Mixed martial arts has grown exponentially in the past five years as fighters like Conor McGregor took the sport to the mainstream. His super-fight against Floyd Mayweather, in particular, brought a lot of new eyes to mixed martial arts. 

MMA still has much room to grow as the sport becomes increasingly popular globally. The Olympic Games can benefit from the unprecedented growth of MMA by making it one of its events. Given the number of viewers major cards held by promotions like Bellator, UFC, and ONE Championship generate, advertisers would be willing to pay lots of money for advertising slots. 

5) It’s Not That Different From Other Combat Sports Recognized By The Olympics

Boxing has been part of the Olympic Games for centuries, yet it’s arguably the most brutal sport. The IOC has recognized Muay Thai, kickboxing, and Sambo as events to be potentially added, so there are no moves used in MMA that the Olympic Games could honestly deem too brutal. 

Participating in the Olympic Games requires lots of preparation, just like preparing for an MMA fight. MMA fighters have already used the type of big crowds at the Olympics, so they’ll be able to perform at a higher level than athletes from combat styles that don’t generate huge crowds regularly, like Karate.

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn MMA in Singapore.

Kicks are one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal in mixed martial arts so you should spend as much time working on them as you do practicing your punching techniques. One-dimensional strikers who are only good at punching typically don’t do well in mixed martial arts since kickers can simply pick them apart from range.

Make sure you incorporate styles like Kickboxing and Muay Thai into your mixed martial arts training to ensure your striking skills are well-rounded enough to keep up with the competition.

Once you’ve learned all the basic kicks used in mixed martial and some basic combinations, it’s time to move up to more advanced kick combos.

Eight Effective Advanced Kicking Combinations Used In Mixed Martial Arts

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the kick combos that have been proven to be effective inside the cage:

1) Lead Teep, Switch Kick , Cross, Hook, Rear Roundhouse Kick

This combination mixes things up pretty well, making it challenging for your opponents to predict what’s coming next. The teep and the switch kick are set-up strikes you throw to establish the range and keep your opponent guessing before you throw the other strikes.

Focus on speed and power when throwing these strikes, before putting serious power on the cross to the head, the hook, and lastly, the right kick that follows. The cross and hook should be thrown hard, but the right kick to the body is the real money maker here. Throw it with everything you have and aim for your opponent’s liver. It’s a fight-ending attack if it lands cleanly.

2) Step Back, Inside Leg Kick, Cross, Low Kick

This combination starts with you stepping back to confuse your opponent and then immediately whipping your lead leg at your opponent, aiming for the inner part of their thigh, which we call an inside leg kick.

Follow the inside leg kick with a powerful cross before ending the combination with a low kick thrown with your rear leg. Your opponent’s head makes a good target too hence you can replace the low kick with a head kick instead.

3) Jab, Cross, Lead Teep, Rear Roundhouse Kick

Start the combination with a basic jab-cross combination, then follow immediately with a lead teep to your opponent’s body. The push kick will push your opponent out of range which allows you to throw a rear roundhouse kick to their midsection, throwing them off-guard.

4) Lead Jab, Lead Hook, Lead Teep, Rear Roundhouse Kick 

This combination starts by throwing a lead jab to your opponent’s head, followed by a hook from the same side before landing a lead teep on their midsection. From there, immediately follow up with a rear roundhouse to the head or liver. If you are a southpaw, your combinations would look exactly like the video above.

5) Jab, Cross, Left Hook, Spinning Back Kick

Here’s a crafty way to set up a powerful spinning backkick. MMA fans love their spinning attacks so add a few of these to your toolkit to win some fans over.

Start by throwing a basic jab-cross combination to get your opponent to bring their hands to the front of their face, then try to weave a lead hook behind their guard. Jab, cross combinations are an effective way to set up lead hooks so put lots of power into the hook since there’s a good chance it lands.

Regardless of how clean the hook connects, throwing it puts you in a perfect position to launch into a spin. Fire off the spinning back kick, aiming for their midsection. The first three strikes you throw should have your opponent thinking high when you go low.

6) Hook, Feint Hook, Spinning Back Kick

Here’s a combination done by Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon from ONE Championship which you can impress fight fans with. You start with a lead hook to your opponent’s head, then you feint another lead hook to have their guard high before spinning into a back kick, landing with your lead leg.

If you see an opening to the midsection after throwing the hook, you can also opt to land the roundhouse before entering into your spin.

7) Jab, Lead Hook, High Kick

This combination mixes up your attacks nicely. Start with a jab to establish range, and follow up with a hard lead hook to the head or torso. Follow through the combination with a high kick to your opponent’s head.

8) Jab, Jab To The Body, Teep, Slide Teep

Here’s another combination that mixes high and low attacks. Start the sequence with two quick jabs, with the first aimed at the head, while the other targets the torso. Immediately push your opponent away with a teep to the body and when they regain their balance and move forward, throw a slide push kick to their torso to make them off-balance again.

Mastering Advanced Punch Combinations

Some of the things you can do to master these advanced kicking combinations include:

• Shadowboxing: Shadowboxing is how seasoned strikers master any technique. Find a spot you can freely move around, preferably one with many mirrors, and work on your combinations until they become second nature to you. Start slow so you can get the proper technique down before speeding things up.
• Focus Mitts: Focus mitts are another effective way to perfect your striking techniques. Find an instructor or training partner to hold pads for you and practice your combos as often as you can. Your instructor or training partner can give you feedback on the things you’re doing right or wrong.
• Heavy Bags: Heavy bags help you to make your combinations more powerful so don’t miss any opportunities to work on these. Don’t just mindlessly throw combinations when using the heavy bad; instead, move with the bag as if it were an opponent.
• Sparring: Sparring is where you get a chance to practice your newly learned combinations on resisting opponents. It’s the most effective way to improve your timing and accuracy.

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn BJJ in Singapore.

st unique personalities in all of sports. It is perhaps one of the few martial arts out there that has attracted practitioners from all walks of life, from large athletic types like Nick Rodriguez, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, and Yuri Simoes, to the smaller and more cerebral competitors like ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci. While Mikey’s stature may not be as imposing as the others we mentioned, his ability on the mats is something to behold. Today, we’ll look into some of his best moments in competition.

A Master Of Gi Jiu-Jitsu

Mikey is the pound for pound and definitely one of the most technical BJJ competitors on the mats. His ability to create attacking opportunities from seemingly all positions makes him a dangerous opponent. He started out as a Gi competitor and has reached the pinnacle of the sport from a very young age, winning world championships from the colored belts up to the black belt. He started his training at the young age of 4 years old under the guidance of master Fernando “Cabeça.” He also received instruction from top-level athletes like the Mendes brothers of Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ), UFC fighter Gilbert Burns, IBJJF World Champion Caio Terra, and now Heath Pedigo of Pedigo Submission Fighting.

Here is a highlight of Mikey’s journey from his younger years to fighting the best of the best. His dynamic grappling style has been an integral part of his game from the beginning and has since developed into something special. Many of his trademark techniques are par for the course for athletes in his division. He likes playing guard to initiate his favorite attacks from the bottom. From there, he likes to go for his patented Berimbolo to take the opponent’s back.

Changing Of The Guard

Mikey’s rise to the top did not come easy, that’s for sure. His division has many amazing athletes with some of the best technical skills we’ll ever see. Typically, the lighter weight classes are where it’s at as far as BJJ techniques are concerned; this is the same case with Mikey and his contemporaries.

The big boss of the division, though, is none other than the great Bruno Malfacine. Malfacine is a 10-time IBJJF World Champion, IBJJF Hall of Famer, and seen by many as the greatest roosterweight of all time. His championship run is filled with dominant wins and is a masterclass in top-level technique.

This video captures Mikey’s journey going into his legendary match with Bruno Malfacine. Heath Pedigo coached Mikey here and gave excellent instruction every step of the way. As the video title says, greatness comes with a price. Work towards a goal and stay consistent throughout your preparation.

A Courageous Move To No-Gi Grappling

As mentioned earlier, he was primarily a Gi competitor for most of his career, but he has branched out and is now a very dangerous No-Gi fighter.

This is a video compilation of his matches under the FloGrappling banner a few years back. This was his big jump into the world of submission grappling, and what a memorable one! Mikey was immediately sent to the sharks of his division, fighting notable athletes like Geo Martinez, Lucas Pinheiro, Junny Ocasio, and more. Unsurprisingly, he passed these tests with flying colors, making him an instant star in the No-Gi world.

The Mikey Lock

Mikey Musumeci fought for the inaugural WNO Bantamweight title in 2021 against BJJ black belt Richard Alarcon. After several outside passing attempts from Richard Alarcon, Mikey was able to enter the legs and finish the match with his unique leg attack known as the “Mikey Lock”.

Mikey Musumeci Signs With ONE Championship

His move to the Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship made a lot of buzz in the martial arts community. At this point, ONE Championship started to focus more on other combat sports besides MMA, including submission grappling. Naturally, many exceptional grapplers took the call and became even bigger stars under the ONE banner.

As expected, many opponents were hungry to test their skills against the American grappler. Mikey’s first match was none other than Japanese leg locker Masakazu Imanari. Imanari is a pioneer of Asian MMA known for his aggressive attacking style and intense leg locks. Also, Masakazu Imanari is the inventor of the infamous “Imanari Roll“, a rolling entry typically used for leg attacks. Mikey tapped the Japanese fighter via rear-naked choke (RNC) and won the $50,000 ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus as a result.

His next opponent was Cleber Sousa, a tough grappler known for his uncompromising style. Mikey and Cleber had a very fun match that lasted 10 minutes. Mikey got his hand raised and won the inaugural ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship.

Mikey faced many challengers after this, but we’d like to highlight his recent match against another Japanese legend Shinya Aoki. They competed in ONE Fight Night 15 last October 7, 2023, and it was a match to remember. For those who don’t know, Shinya Aoki is a world-class BJJ and Judo black belt who has been competing professionally since 2003. He is a former DREAM Lightweight Champion, former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion, former WAMMA Lightweight Champion, and former Shooto Welterweight Champion. He is an absolute legend in all regards.

Both athletes wowed the crowd with their skills. In the end, Mikey took home the win by submitting Shinya using his trademark move, the nasty leg lock known as the “Aoki Lock”.

Look at how Mikey entered the legs from the guard. It was practically game over as soon as he controlled Shinya’s legs. A fantastic performance yet again by the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

Conclusion

Mikey Musumeci’s evolution in the sport is nothing short of extraordinary. These highlights serve as a glimpse into his achievements, and we hope they inspire you to follow your dreams just like Mikey did. If you want to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we encourage you to visit your local academy and check out their classes. There’s no better New Year’s resolution than to begin training this fantastic martial art!

Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts with the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, and more, Evolve MMA is the best gym to learn BJJ in Singapore.

st unique personalities in all of sports. It is perhaps one of the few martial arts out there that has attracted practitioners from all walks of life, from large athletic types like Nick Rodriguez, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, and Yuri Simoes, to the smaller and more cerebral competitors like ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci. While Mikey’s stature may not be as imposing as the others we mentioned, his ability on the mats is something to behold. Today, we’ll look into some of his best moments in competition.

A Master Of Gi Jiu-Jitsu

Mikey is the pound for pound and definitely one of the most technical BJJ competitors on the mats. His ability to create attacking opportunities from seemingly all positions makes him a dangerous opponent. He started out as a Gi competitor and has reached the pinnacle of the sport from a very young age, winning world championships from the colored belts up to the black belt. He started his training at the young age of 4 years old under the guidance of master Fernando “Cabeça.” He also received instruction from top-level athletes like the Mendes brothers of Art of Jiu Jitsu (AOJ), UFC fighter Gilbert Burns, IBJJF World Champion Caio Terra, and now Heath Pedigo of Pedigo Submission Fighting.

Here is a highlight of Mikey’s journey from his younger years to fighting the best of the best. His dynamic grappling style has been an integral part of his game from the beginning and has since developed into something special. Many of his trademark techniques are par for the course for athletes in his division. He likes playing guard to initiate his favorite attacks from the bottom. From there, he likes to go for his patented Berimbolo to take the opponent’s back.

Changing Of The Guard

Mikey’s rise to the top did not come easy, that’s for sure. His division has many amazing athletes with some of the best technical skills we’ll ever see. Typically, the lighter weight classes are where it’s at as far as BJJ techniques are concerned; this is the same case with Mikey and his contemporaries.

The big boss of the division, though, is none other than the great Bruno Malfacine. Malfacine is a 10-time IBJJF World Champion, IBJJF Hall of Famer, and seen by many as the greatest roosterweight of all time. His championship run is filled with dominant wins and is a masterclass in top-level technique.

This video captures Mikey’s journey going into his legendary match with Bruno Malfacine. Heath Pedigo coached Mikey here and gave excellent instruction every step of the way. As the video title says, greatness comes with a price. Work towards a goal and stay consistent throughout your preparation.

A Courageous Move To No-Gi Grappling

As mentioned earlier, he was primarily a Gi competitor for most of his career, but he has branched out and is now a very dangerous No-Gi fighter.

This is a video compilation of his matches under the FloGrappling banner a few years back. This was his big jump into the world of submission grappling, and what a memorable one! Mikey was immediately sent to the sharks of his division, fighting notable athletes like Geo Martinez, Lucas Pinheiro, Junny Ocasio, and more. Unsurprisingly, he passed these tests with flying colors, making him an instant star in the No-Gi world.

The Mikey Lock

Mikey Musumeci fought for the inaugural WNO Bantamweight title in 2021 against BJJ black belt Richard Alarcon. After several outside passing attempts from Richard Alarcon, Mikey was able to enter the legs and finish the match with his unique leg attack known as the “Mikey Lock”.

Mikey Musumeci Signs With ONE Championship

His move to the Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship made a lot of buzz in the martial arts community. At this point, ONE Championship started to focus more on other combat sports besides MMA, including submission grappling. Naturally, many exceptional grapplers took the call and became even bigger stars under the ONE banner.

As expected, many opponents were hungry to test their skills against the American grappler. Mikey’s first match was none other than Japanese leg locker Masakazu Imanari. Imanari is a pioneer of Asian MMA known for his aggressive attacking style and intense leg locks. Also, Masakazu Imanari is the inventor of the infamous “Imanari Roll“, a rolling entry typically used for leg attacks. Mikey tapped the Japanese fighter via rear-naked choke (RNC) and won the $50,000 ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus as a result.

His next opponent was Cleber Sousa, a tough grappler known for his uncompromising style. Mikey and Cleber had a very fun match that lasted 10 minutes. Mikey got his hand raised and won the inaugural ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Championship.

Mikey faced many challengers after this, but we’d like to highlight his recent match against another Japanese legend Shinya Aoki. They competed in ONE Fight Night 15 last October 7, 2023, and it was a match to remember. For those who don’t know, Shinya Aoki is a world-class BJJ and Judo black belt who has been competing professionally since 2003. He is a former DREAM Lightweight Champion, former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion, former WAMMA Lightweight Champion, and former Shooto Welterweight Champion. He is an absolute legend in all regards.

Both athletes wowed the crowd with their skills. In the end, Mikey took home the win by submitting Shinya using his trademark move, the nasty leg lock known as the “Aoki Lock”.

Look at how Mikey entered the legs from the guard. It was practically game over as soon as he controlled Shinya’s legs. A fantastic performance yet again by the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion.

Conclusion

Mikey Musumeci’s evolution in the sport is nothing short of extraordinary. These highlights serve as a glimpse into his achievements, and we hope they inspire you to follow your dreams just like Mikey did. If you want to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we encourage you to visit your local academy and check out their classes. There’s no better New Year’s resolution than to begin training this fantastic martial art!