Today, MMA is that fastest growing sport in America. Everyday hundreds of new hopefuls find gyms and begin their quest to be the next great MMA champion or just want a fun way to get into shape. But many people don’t know where to start. Just walking into a gym can be an intimidating experience. Especially if you’re not sure what to wear, what to bring, and how much it will cost. So here are a few tips to help guide you through the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
First, find a gym that you like. If you go on to Google and look up MMA gyms near you, you will find a large variety of gyms. Some gyms will focus mainly on one art and offer classes in others. You should visit more than one and take advantage of any free trial periods the gym may offer. Most gyms do offer a free class or intro class for you to see if you like it. Make sure you find a gym that will fit your budget and teach you the fundamentals of MMA. The best gyms offer a variety of classes in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu jitsu. MMA gyms come in all shapes and sizes, and cost differently. So make sure you find one that fits your needs and budget.
Second, get the right gear. You don’t want to rush out and buy the first set of MMA gloves you see. There are many different kinds. Some have thumbs some don’t, plus do they fit when wearing hand wraps? One of the best ways to get the right equipment is to ask the coaches at the gym. You will want to at least know what type of equipment to bring. Different gyms sometimes require specific equipment. Most gyms today sell their members equipment anyway at better price than you would go to the store. But most important try the stuff on before you buy if you can. MMA equipment can be very pricey, so make sure you are buying the right gear for you.
Now if you have never wrestled or trained in any martial arts in the past, I must stress the importance of cleanliness. When you train in MMA you will be training with other people in very close proximity. The worst thing you can do is smell bad. You don’t want to start out at a new gym and be labeled as the stinky guy. Make sure before and after you shower. This will not only keep you from the stinky guy label but also protect you from various skin infections, such as ring worm. You will also want to wash your clothes right away. If you don’t, the smell will linger in your clothes even after you have washed them.
Finally, the most important tip is, have fun! Yes, this is important if you’re not having a good time training then there is no point in doing it at all. Plus no one likes to train with that guy or girl who takes this way to serious. Training with the perpetual sour puss can bring you down, but conversely training with happy, energetic people is a huge plus. You will quickly find these people and learn that most everyone like training with them. So go out and have a good time and be that person who has fun and makes friends while doing something they love.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Dennis Bermudez. Underdog?
I got the chance to meet up with Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez before Thanksgiving and his fight for the Ultimate Fighter Finale. As usual I found Dennis training hard with his teammates at Long Island MMA. Below is the interview.
Tim Fowler: How have you been?
Dennis Bermudez: Good, real good.
TF: So now that everyone knows you’re a finalist for the Ultimate Fighter how has the added attention been?
DB: I’m just Dennis. I mean some guys let it go to their head but not me. A girl from my home town said I was a superstar now. Umm NO! I’m still just Dennis.
TF: Are you ready for the UFC? And all the pressure that comes with being an Ultimate Fighter winner?
DB: Yeah, I’m just trying to stay humble, being the underdog, you know I like it when everyone thinks the other guy is going to win. But yeah I am ready for the UFC.
TF: Has training camp been different this time around getting ready for a UFC fight and your first fight with Long Island MMA?
DB: It’s going well, I’m getting it in. But the difference is a higher urgency and harder push.
TF: Tell me about the last fight in the TUF house? It seemed like it took you awhile to focus.
DB: The plan was for me to take him down. I was antsy about taking him down right away. I rushed my shots at first and shot out to far away.
TF: Did you know that you put him to sleep in that choke?
DB: No, at first I didn’t. He had tapped so I thought he was still up. But I guess he went out.
TF: Prior to coming on the Ultimate fighter you had some struggles with Jiu Jitsu fighters. Has training with Gregg DePasquale help shore that up?
DB: Yeah, some coach’s rush you, but Gregg takes his time. I can ask him a question and he won’t make feel like an idiot for asking. But he has definitely helped out a lot.
TF: I recently read that you are treating this like any other fight. But isn’t every fight a big fight?
DB: Yeah, the next fight is always the biggest fight.
TF: Do you feel like a more well rounded fighter now since having gone through the Ultimate Fighter?
DB: Yeah for sure. I feel like I have gotten better in every area, especially jiu jitsu.
TF: So with Thanksgiving coming up, do you get to eat with everyone else?
DB: (Laughs) Yeah I get to eat like with all my other meals but this one will have a Thanksgiving theme to it with turkey and yams. I just won’t be eating any pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes.
Dennis flew out to Las Vegas on the 29th of Nov to finish getting ready for what will be the biggest fight of his career. Watching him get ready for this fight I can say he looks very focused and well prepared. He knows he is walking into this fight as the underdog. But this Saturday in Las Vegas Dennis will have another chance to prove everyone wrong.
Tim Fowler: How have you been?
Dennis Bermudez: Good, real good.
TF: So now that everyone knows you’re a finalist for the Ultimate Fighter how has the added attention been?
DB: I’m just Dennis. I mean some guys let it go to their head but not me. A girl from my home town said I was a superstar now. Umm NO! I’m still just Dennis.
TF: Are you ready for the UFC? And all the pressure that comes with being an Ultimate Fighter winner?
DB: Yeah, I’m just trying to stay humble, being the underdog, you know I like it when everyone thinks the other guy is going to win. But yeah I am ready for the UFC.
TF: Has training camp been different this time around getting ready for a UFC fight and your first fight with Long Island MMA?
DB: It’s going well, I’m getting it in. But the difference is a higher urgency and harder push.
TF: Tell me about the last fight in the TUF house? It seemed like it took you awhile to focus.
DB: The plan was for me to take him down. I was antsy about taking him down right away. I rushed my shots at first and shot out to far away.
TF: Did you know that you put him to sleep in that choke?
DB: No, at first I didn’t. He had tapped so I thought he was still up. But I guess he went out.
TF: Prior to coming on the Ultimate fighter you had some struggles with Jiu Jitsu fighters. Has training with Gregg DePasquale help shore that up?
DB: Yeah, some coach’s rush you, but Gregg takes his time. I can ask him a question and he won’t make feel like an idiot for asking. But he has definitely helped out a lot.
TF: I recently read that you are treating this like any other fight. But isn’t every fight a big fight?
DB: Yeah, the next fight is always the biggest fight.
TF: Do you feel like a more well rounded fighter now since having gone through the Ultimate Fighter?
DB: Yeah for sure. I feel like I have gotten better in every area, especially jiu jitsu.
TF: So with Thanksgiving coming up, do you get to eat with everyone else?
DB: (Laughs) Yeah I get to eat like with all my other meals but this one will have a Thanksgiving theme to it with turkey and yams. I just won’t be eating any pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes.
Dennis flew out to Las Vegas on the 29th of Nov to finish getting ready for what will be the biggest fight of his career. Watching him get ready for this fight I can say he looks very focused and well prepared. He knows he is walking into this fight as the underdog. But this Saturday in Las Vegas Dennis will have another chance to prove everyone wrong.
Dennis Bermudez, ready for the UFC?
On my way to meet Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez for an interview, I didn’t know what to expect from him. Last time we met he had just joined Long Island MMA and was coming off 2 losses. This time he is on a 2 fight win streak, both in the UFC as a member of team Mayhem on this season of The Ultimate Fighter. As I walked into LIMMA I immediately noticed Dennis. He was giving a private lesson. As like any good coach he stayed focused on his student, giving him constant encouragement and tips: “Stay on your toes, don’t cross your feet.”
Every time his student hit the pads or the bag the way Dennis wanted him to, Dennis would beam with pride and tell him “That’s it!” Now you might be thinking that he would be giving this type of class to a high paying adult who wanted to train with a fighter from a hit TV show. But you would be wrong. His student was a boy who couldn’t have been older than 12. But Dennis gave him all the attention and focus he would have given one of his teammates. Even with so much changing in his life Dennis is staying true to himself and being humble.
When I asked how it felt to be the first pick by Mayhem, he said he was a little shocked. “My fight to get in the house was second to last," he said. "I didn’t see how everyone else had fought. I really had no idea that I would be the first pick.”I asked him if he had watched the show and what he thought of all the positive comments that Dana White and Miller were giving him. “You know I just want to stay humble. I want to be the best but I never think I’m the best. I just want to stay humble.”
When discussing his fight to get into the house again, Dennis was very humble. He didn’t even know the guy he beat was the odds on favorite to win the whole show. When I asked him how it felt to beat the favorite he said, “Really? I didn’t even know that till you told me right now.”
If you didn’t see the fight then you missed one of the best fights to get in the house. His 2nd fight in the house was not nearly as exciting. He was dominant from the very start and destroyed his opponent. But that was his plan. To stay focused on his fights, not get distracted with the craziness in the house, and most of all win!
“Being in the house is like a 24/7 job,” said Bermudez. “It sucked but my goal in the future is to be the UFC champ.”
So far not much has changed for Dennis since coming back. Unless you count his new manager Ryan Parsons (who happens to be Jason “Mayhem” Miller’s manager) and that he signs autographs every Wednesday night at Rookies in Huntington NY. But he is still the same guy I met a few months back. He is still very aware that he has a chance to go far and takes advantage of every opportunity.
“Right now I’m just getting ready to be ready," he said. "You never know when the UFC will call you up.”
And of course he can still keep a secret. I asked him who he was fighting in the finale. “I can’t tell you that," he laughed.
Despite his secrets I would bet that the UFC fans will see more from Dennis Bermudez!
Every time his student hit the pads or the bag the way Dennis wanted him to, Dennis would beam with pride and tell him “That’s it!” Now you might be thinking that he would be giving this type of class to a high paying adult who wanted to train with a fighter from a hit TV show. But you would be wrong. His student was a boy who couldn’t have been older than 12. But Dennis gave him all the attention and focus he would have given one of his teammates. Even with so much changing in his life Dennis is staying true to himself and being humble.
When I asked how it felt to be the first pick by Mayhem, he said he was a little shocked. “My fight to get in the house was second to last," he said. "I didn’t see how everyone else had fought. I really had no idea that I would be the first pick.”I asked him if he had watched the show and what he thought of all the positive comments that Dana White and Miller were giving him. “You know I just want to stay humble. I want to be the best but I never think I’m the best. I just want to stay humble.”
When discussing his fight to get into the house again, Dennis was very humble. He didn’t even know the guy he beat was the odds on favorite to win the whole show. When I asked him how it felt to beat the favorite he said, “Really? I didn’t even know that till you told me right now.”
If you didn’t see the fight then you missed one of the best fights to get in the house. His 2nd fight in the house was not nearly as exciting. He was dominant from the very start and destroyed his opponent. But that was his plan. To stay focused on his fights, not get distracted with the craziness in the house, and most of all win!
“Being in the house is like a 24/7 job,” said Bermudez. “It sucked but my goal in the future is to be the UFC champ.”
So far not much has changed for Dennis since coming back. Unless you count his new manager Ryan Parsons (who happens to be Jason “Mayhem” Miller’s manager) and that he signs autographs every Wednesday night at Rookies in Huntington NY. But he is still the same guy I met a few months back. He is still very aware that he has a chance to go far and takes advantage of every opportunity.
“Right now I’m just getting ready to be ready," he said. "You never know when the UFC will call you up.”
And of course he can still keep a secret. I asked him who he was fighting in the finale. “I can’t tell you that," he laughed.
Despite his secrets I would bet that the UFC fans will see more from Dennis Bermudez!
Fighter Profile Dennis Bermudez
Have you ever met someone who right away you know will not let anything get in their way? That’s the feeling you get when you first meet Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez. As I sat down with him and heard his story, I quickly learned that this man is more than just a cage fighter. He is a fighter, period. Life has thrown him some curve balls, but he still has not let anything stop him from getting to where he is now. Dennis has just moved to Long Island from Pennsylvania, where he is currently in the process of reinventing himself as a fighter. Under the tutelage of Gregg Depasquale and the coaches at Long Island MMA, he plans to become a champion.
Of course like any story things didn’t start out this way. Dennis was a High School wrestler who was told that he couldn’t make it in the college ranks, let alone a Division I school. To prove the naysayers wrong Dennis walked on to Bloomsburg College, a Division I wrestling school.
“I like being the underdog,” said Bermudez. “ I like not being expected to win.” His admission to Bloomsburg started a trend of proving his critics wrong. He not only earned a spot on the wrestling team, he also earned a scholarship. While at Bloomsburg he managed to juggle wrestling, two jobs, and making the Dean’s list. However, all that came to a screeching halt when he returned from a wrestling tournament in Canada. His girlfriend at the time told him she was pregnant and he was going to be a father. At that point he knew being a father was going to be a priority. He continued to try and juggle school, work and wrestling while being a dad, but eventually Dennis had to step away from wrestling to be able to deal with the pressures of work and family. For two years he kept up the juggling act until at the urging of his dad and coach, Dennis took a paternity test. It turned out that the boy Dennis had been raising as his son was not his. As difficult as it was to learn that the boy was not his, Dennis had found a new opportunity in MMA.
As Dennis reevaluated his life, friends who liked is aggressive style of wrestling, suggested he try MMA. Bermudez burst onto the MMA scene as a pro in 2006 with a TKO win in his first fight. He went on to win 7 straight fights, winning in all fashions. Dennis is not just a wrestler who will lay and pray. He likes to finish fights. He is a true double threat. He has the power to knock you out and the wrestling to take you down and grind it out. However, in his last two fights, he’s suffered back to back losses, causing him to re-evaluate his style and weight class. His goals at the Long Island MMA and fitness center is to streamline his training and prepare for a move down to the 145lbs weight class.
“They have me on a good program here,” Dennis says. His new coach Gregg Depasquale sees a ton of potential in him and believes he can reach his goals of someday fighting in the UFC. After meeting Dennis and learning how well he deals with adversity, I too have become a believer.
Of course like any story things didn’t start out this way. Dennis was a High School wrestler who was told that he couldn’t make it in the college ranks, let alone a Division I school. To prove the naysayers wrong Dennis walked on to Bloomsburg College, a Division I wrestling school.
“I like being the underdog,” said Bermudez. “ I like not being expected to win.” His admission to Bloomsburg started a trend of proving his critics wrong. He not only earned a spot on the wrestling team, he also earned a scholarship. While at Bloomsburg he managed to juggle wrestling, two jobs, and making the Dean’s list. However, all that came to a screeching halt when he returned from a wrestling tournament in Canada. His girlfriend at the time told him she was pregnant and he was going to be a father. At that point he knew being a father was going to be a priority. He continued to try and juggle school, work and wrestling while being a dad, but eventually Dennis had to step away from wrestling to be able to deal with the pressures of work and family. For two years he kept up the juggling act until at the urging of his dad and coach, Dennis took a paternity test. It turned out that the boy Dennis had been raising as his son was not his. As difficult as it was to learn that the boy was not his, Dennis had found a new opportunity in MMA.
As Dennis reevaluated his life, friends who liked is aggressive style of wrestling, suggested he try MMA. Bermudez burst onto the MMA scene as a pro in 2006 with a TKO win in his first fight. He went on to win 7 straight fights, winning in all fashions. Dennis is not just a wrestler who will lay and pray. He likes to finish fights. He is a true double threat. He has the power to knock you out and the wrestling to take you down and grind it out. However, in his last two fights, he’s suffered back to back losses, causing him to re-evaluate his style and weight class. His goals at the Long Island MMA and fitness center is to streamline his training and prepare for a move down to the 145lbs weight class.
“They have me on a good program here,” Dennis says. His new coach Gregg Depasquale sees a ton of potential in him and believes he can reach his goals of someday fighting in the UFC. After meeting Dennis and learning how well he deals with adversity, I too have become a believer.
Marques Daniels wins ROC LW title via DQ
On February 4th 2011 SFC Marques Daniels of the US Army fought his for his first Professional MMA Championship against Gabriel Miglioli at Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat XXXIV in Atlantic City NJ. Before the fight Marques seemed very cool and calm. He said he was ready. At that moment I had no idea that this fight was going to be the most controversial of the night.
During the introductions both Marques and Gabriel looked nervous. But as soon as the bell rung these two quickly looked calm and focused. After a short feeling out process these two went to war. Quickly trading shots and trying to gain the upper hand against the fence. For every shot one landed the other responded. If one got dazed the other fought back to return the favor. At one point Marques looked in trouble from a kick to his head to only battle back and shoot for a takedown. However while his knee was down Gabriel landed a knee to Marques head. Keith Peterson (REF) quickly called time and let the judges know it was an illegal blow to the head.
At this point the doctors came in and look at the gash that had formed on Marques forehead. I thought they were going to call a no contest. But instead they Disqualify Gabriel and declare Marques Daniels the new Light weight Champion. He had a look of grim triumph on his face. Happy he won but disgusted at the way it happened.
After the fight he tells me “I got caught, I can’t believe I got caught like that.” Gabriel Miglioli then walks by and Marques insists on a rematch. He later told me that he wants to validate his title by winning his way and not having it end by a DQ. He didn’t want to win that way. This fight had all the makings of a great war between two gladiators that were not going to back down. Both looked ready and willing to leave it all in the cage. Hopefully we will still get that war in a rematch.Today Marques Daniels has to shake off any ill effects of the fight and get back to his job as an Active Duty soldier in the US Army. He is stationed at Ft Drum NY and it’s his job to find the very best soldiers to serve in the Army’s Special Forces program. This is no easy task. If you watched the fight and said how does this guy keep coming? Remember what he really does to make a living. As a soldier the cage is training. The job of keeping America free falls on him, and thousands like him all over the world. SFC Marques Daniels not only showed the heart of a champion but also the Army’s Warrior Ethos. He would not back down and he would not accept defeat. Win or lose he showed the heart of a warrior. He showed what the Army has to offer. The Best.
During the introductions both Marques and Gabriel looked nervous. But as soon as the bell rung these two quickly looked calm and focused. After a short feeling out process these two went to war. Quickly trading shots and trying to gain the upper hand against the fence. For every shot one landed the other responded. If one got dazed the other fought back to return the favor. At one point Marques looked in trouble from a kick to his head to only battle back and shoot for a takedown. However while his knee was down Gabriel landed a knee to Marques head. Keith Peterson (REF) quickly called time and let the judges know it was an illegal blow to the head.
At this point the doctors came in and look at the gash that had formed on Marques forehead. I thought they were going to call a no contest. But instead they Disqualify Gabriel and declare Marques Daniels the new Light weight Champion. He had a look of grim triumph on his face. Happy he won but disgusted at the way it happened.
After the fight he tells me “I got caught, I can’t believe I got caught like that.” Gabriel Miglioli then walks by and Marques insists on a rematch. He later told me that he wants to validate his title by winning his way and not having it end by a DQ. He didn’t want to win that way. This fight had all the makings of a great war between two gladiators that were not going to back down. Both looked ready and willing to leave it all in the cage. Hopefully we will still get that war in a rematch.Today Marques Daniels has to shake off any ill effects of the fight and get back to his job as an Active Duty soldier in the US Army. He is stationed at Ft Drum NY and it’s his job to find the very best soldiers to serve in the Army’s Special Forces program. This is no easy task. If you watched the fight and said how does this guy keep coming? Remember what he really does to make a living. As a soldier the cage is training. The job of keeping America free falls on him, and thousands like him all over the world. SFC Marques Daniels not only showed the heart of a champion but also the Army’s Warrior Ethos. He would not back down and he would not accept defeat. Win or lose he showed the heart of a warrior. He showed what the Army has to offer. The Best.
MArques Daniels Interview ROC Championships
This February 4th in Atlantic City, NJ, Sergeant First Class Marques Daniels of the US Army will be competing for his first professional championship bout. He will be facing Gabriel Miglioli at Ring of Combat XXXIV for the vacant lightweight title. SFC Daniels currently holds a professional record of 4-3. His last Pro fight was at Capitol City Cage Fight in Salem, OR, where he won by TKO in the first round. SFC Daniels is a Special Forces Recruiter based out of Ft Drum, NY.
I got a chance today to speak to SFC Daniels before he heads out on a recruiting tour for US Army Special Forces.
Tim Fowler: So let’s start with the obvious, how are you feeling for this fight?
Marqeus Daniels: I am very hyped up! Very Hyped! I hope he is training as hard as he can and he is ready. I know I will be. I can’t wait.
TF: So I guess it’s safe to say you feel ready?
Marques Daniels: (laughs) Yeah for sure.
TF: So what are your plans for your future in MMA?
MD: That’s a good question. I was just talking to my coach about that today. Right now my plan is to win this title and defend it. After I defend this title I want to move down to 145 pounds and fight for that title. I also want to defend my Army Welterweight title and validate that title as well. I really want to get some quality fights under my belt before I audition for The Ultimate Fighter again. I plan to audition at 145 pounds. My ultimate goal is to be in the UFC by Nov.
TF: No pressure! But you know you will have to face me this time at the Army Tournament. No hiding in a different bracket. (Laughs)
MD: (Laughs) Yeah that’s why I’m coming to your fight to do some scouting!
TF: So what do you know about your next opponent?
MD: I know he’s a Jiu Jitsu guy and he is from Brazil. I’m not sure what belt he is. Most likely a Brown Belt or high level Purple Belt. I expect he will try to get to the ground but if he tries to stay standing and do Muay Thai, then that plays right to my strengths. And hopefully I can get a chance to ground and pound!
TF: Where have you been training to get ready for this fight?
MD: I’ve been training with Marc Stevens from Jiu Jitsu Nation.
TF: How has it been balancing your Army Career with your Pro Fighting career?
MD: Very Easy. I’m very open to my command about what I do. I let them know from the beginning that I’m a fighter and this is how I stay in shape, this is my PT (Physical Training). It doesn’t hurt when you win the Army Combatives Tournament and a 3 star General gives you an award for fighting.
TF: That is pretty cool. It’s been good talking to you bro I’ll see you at the fights.
MD: See you there. Train hard!
I got a chance today to speak to SFC Daniels before he heads out on a recruiting tour for US Army Special Forces.
Tim Fowler: So let’s start with the obvious, how are you feeling for this fight?
Marqeus Daniels: I am very hyped up! Very Hyped! I hope he is training as hard as he can and he is ready. I know I will be. I can’t wait.
TF: So I guess it’s safe to say you feel ready?
Marques Daniels: (laughs) Yeah for sure.
TF: So what are your plans for your future in MMA?
MD: That’s a good question. I was just talking to my coach about that today. Right now my plan is to win this title and defend it. After I defend this title I want to move down to 145 pounds and fight for that title. I also want to defend my Army Welterweight title and validate that title as well. I really want to get some quality fights under my belt before I audition for The Ultimate Fighter again. I plan to audition at 145 pounds. My ultimate goal is to be in the UFC by Nov.
TF: No pressure! But you know you will have to face me this time at the Army Tournament. No hiding in a different bracket. (Laughs)
MD: (Laughs) Yeah that’s why I’m coming to your fight to do some scouting!
TF: So what do you know about your next opponent?
MD: I know he’s a Jiu Jitsu guy and he is from Brazil. I’m not sure what belt he is. Most likely a Brown Belt or high level Purple Belt. I expect he will try to get to the ground but if he tries to stay standing and do Muay Thai, then that plays right to my strengths. And hopefully I can get a chance to ground and pound!
TF: Where have you been training to get ready for this fight?
MD: I’ve been training with Marc Stevens from Jiu Jitsu Nation.
TF: How has it been balancing your Army Career with your Pro Fighting career?
MD: Very Easy. I’m very open to my command about what I do. I let them know from the beginning that I’m a fighter and this is how I stay in shape, this is my PT (Physical Training). It doesn’t hurt when you win the Army Combatives Tournament and a 3 star General gives you an award for fighting.
TF: That is pretty cool. It’s been good talking to you bro I’ll see you at the fights.
MD: See you there. Train hard!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
