Along my travels in writing about mixed martial arts one thing that has really caught my attention was how many of these great athletes got started in MMA. Some of the stories I have heard range from inspiring to very emotional all the way down the ladder to a simple desire to compete.
Many of today’s fighters were high caliber collegiate wrestlers getting ready to graduate, but not ready to stop competing. The fire was still as hot and heavy as ever and these guys were not ready to jump into an everyday 9 to 5 job selling insurance or office supplies.
Keep in mind that many of these wrestlers were extremely intelligent and were getting ready to graduate with a four-year degree so it’s not as if they were desperate to find work, they were desperate to compete.
Randy Couture was inspired by watching Don Frye compete in MMA. After earning alternate status three times on the US Olympic team in 1998, 1992 and 1996, Couture knew he still had the itch to test himself against the best in the world. He competed in his first UFC event at 34 years old and the rest is history. He may have had a late start, but he certainly made up for it.
Before his bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 110 in February of 2010, I had the pleasure of interviewing current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. He had wrestled alongside Ryan Bader and CB Dolloway at Arizona State, but was in a quandary about what he was going to do once he graduated.
He eventually hooked up with the guys over at American Kickboxing Academy and in a short time has become a dominant force in the sport.
Wrestling has always been a solid foundation for anyone looking to get into MMA, but just like any other discipline it needs to be supplemented by top notch training in striking, jiu-jitsu and being able to push your body to go beyond limits it is not normally accustomed to passing.
There are some really good gyms that can offer fighters a chance to learn from some great instructors in all of these areas, some fighters go where their friends are while others choose gyms near their home.
American Top Team has long been considered one of the best gyms in all of MMA. Their main home is in Coconut Creek, Fla and offers their fighters a place to train amongst a great group of instructors and trainers.
Led by Ricardo Liborio, ATT’s list of instructors is extremely impressive. Their boxing coach is 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist Howard Davis Jr. They also offer a host of amazing jiu-jitsu instructors including six black belts.
ATT is now offering an opportunity for high level wrestlers to come out to Florida and learn from the very best. They are looking for wrestlers to send them their information and a brief bio to Richie Guerriero ([email protected]) with Wrestling Opportunity in the subject title.
All emails will be evaluated and a select group will be chosen to go down to Florida for one week, all expenses paid including airfare, hotel stay and transportation from the hotel to the gym each and every day.
Once the week is over the coaches will offer contracts to those who they feel have what it takes to make it in MMA. If you are offered a contract you will be offered the following:
*The chance to train with a World Class professional fight team that has a proven track record of training and managing fighters in the biggest shows such as UFC, Strikeforce, WEC, DREAMS, K-1, and so on…
*A structured training regimen that includes full time coaches in; MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, Strength and Conditioning and plenty of established high-level training partners to help you in the process of becoming a champion in the sport of MMA!
*Free housing for one year close to the gym. Including; electric, water & sewage.
This arrangement will be evaluated annually for renewal.
*$100 per week for food.
*A gear package of all you will need to get started; shirts, shorts, training gear, etc.
All they ask for in return is a multi-year training and management commitment to ATT, your hard work and a desire to become a champion. This is an excellent opportunity to be able to train full time alongside some of the best fighters in the world.
On any given day you could work alongside Thiago Alves, Mike Brown, Din Thomas, Cole Miller, Tyron Woodley, Thiago Silva, Jeff Monson and so many other great athletes.
If you have any questions email Richie Guerriero at [email protected]
Visit American Top Team’s website by clicking here.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
Injuries have sidelined both 
It’s hard to believe that 