Site Overlay

MMA EXPLAINED

Slide 1
MMA EXPLAINED

NMA/ISKA – MIXED MARTIAL ARTS EXPLAINED

We specialise in Hybrid martial arts. We take the best techniques from various styles which lends itself to our philosophy of martial arts. No one particular style is given preference. To use Jiu Jitsu as example, we utilise techniques from the Brazilian, Russian and Traditional Japanese styles. It’s all good!

It is important to understand that the NMA does not restrict you from training with other specialised Dojos who master any one particular art.

Gradings are done on two levels; Stand up fighting & close combat/ Jiu Jitsu / Weapons. We have two Stand up Gradings a year K1 & K2 at which time skills are assessed on stand up fighting / Striking utilising Boxing, Kickboxing, Thai fighting and Nano movements (Explained later) and 1 grading annually for Grappling / Filipino arts & Weapons. The grades are as follows:

STAND UP FIGHTING
White / Yellow / Orange / Green / Blue / Purple / Brown 3-2-1 / Black Belt / Dan gradings thereafter.

GROUND FIGHTING, CLOSE COMBAT & WEAPONS
Blue / Purple / Brown / Black

This way the student if attending all Gradings will take roughly four to five years to get to Black Belt level in Kickboxing / K1 / Thai. Thus, the NMA – Jiu-Jitsu Grade falls in the time line to lead to the same duration to achieve Black Belt level. The student though, cannot grade to Black Belt in NMA – Jiu-Jitsu / Filipino arts before attaining a Black Belt in Stand Up Fighting (Kickboxing / K1 / Thai)

Although we cater for serious competitors and Full Contact Fighters, our majority members are there to learn an art, fitness and light contact training. We do not allow excessive contact and protection is utilised at all times. During class sparring sessions only touch contact is allowed to the face. No touch contact is allowed for lower grades and beginners Ladies and children till the instructor allows it.

The point we are making here is don’t get confused with what the Academy offers. Although we do a certain amount of MMA fighting styles, predominantly we are a true Mixed – Martial Arts Organisation. In laymen’s language, we teach a Hybrid combination of several martial arts. It is the focus of Shihan Paul and the NMA to offer the student the ability to learn and cross train in many arts in order to give the student maximum value and maintain a high level of interest.

IMPORTANT! Although the Academy incorporates many aspects of Martial Arts and grades students using them, the grades are sanctioned by certain International Organisations for specific arts and Nationally through NMA/ISKA South Africa for other arts. Our system incorporating BJJ / Traditional Japenese JJ and Russian Sambo although at times consisting of the same techniques is our own Hybrid version. We do not lay claim to any specific grade to any specific style. We are far to open minded to follow that path. If you want a specific grade in B J-J then for now, you would have to train at both our Dojo and a sanctioned B J-J Dojo. We will be glad to point you in the right direction. This does under no circumstances undervalue what we teach! As for Aikido, we utilise mainly specific throws, counters and defensive techniques we found to have been highly effective in real world situations rather than only on a dojo floor. We do not teach specific syllabus on Aikido alone. We incorporate it into our training as is the case with some of the other added styles and forms.

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER

STRIKING: Combining the best tuition using separate syllabus work on Boxing / Kickboxing / K1 / Muay Thai & other M-Arts. Striking art is still our primary focus and should be yours too! “Remember: the last place you want to be when defending yourself on the street, is on the ground, especially when confronted with several assailants at the same time”

SHOOTING: Being an all rounded fighter able to take the challenge to the ground is limited only by your ability to close the distance and take down your opponent. This specialised and highly interesting art is often neglected by other clubs. NOT SO WITH US! It is placed high on our agenda.

GROUND: Learn our own HYBRID Jiu-Jitsu system utilising selected techniques in Japanese/ Brazilian J-J & Russian Sambo. We utilise advanced techniques & Drills for both Sport & Defensive levels. Striking from Ground Position is also one of our specialities.

DRILLS & PAD WORK: For Pad Work, Stamina, Endurance & New Technique, Drills are utilised to push you to your limit with or without your consent! We know how to keep training enjoyable & unpredictable! We trick the mind to convince your body to always do more than you think you can. We prefer Focus Pad usage due to member on member interaction & Motivation. You can’t cheat or slack off with someone standing in front of you

WEAPONS: Kali is our weapon of choice to teach. Its Filipino history in Stick Fighting is legendary. The reason for this choice is because it’s practical! Even without a kali in your hands, the techniques can be applied in hand to hand close quarter combat. Knife fighting is also taught to senior grades.

OTHER: We also include techniques from Aikido/Hapkido for its specialised throwing & defensive systems as well as utilise several Filipino styles known for their proven effectiveness in close quarter combat. Some Traditional Goju is also used but NO KATA!

STREET DEFENCE: We also teach our own form of self defence labelled “Street Defence” and specialise in Filipino arts for close quarter combat and weapons. The Academy choice of weapon is the Khali (Short Stick or Stick fighting) we use this form of weapon as we feel it is the most effective choice in today’s modern times and it is easy to keep close to you or carry. Training in knife fighting is only taught to senior adult students at specialised training sessions/seminars and is based as a combination of knife to knife fighting and personal protection.

The Academy experience combines realistic training using only the most modern techniques and taught to you in a way which will evoke a passion for the sport! Our principle aim, the cornerstone of the Academy’s mission statement today, was to be recognized as a global brand that consistently delivers quality tuition, ground breaking new methods in teaching and always pushing the boundaries in the process. In short, to change the way the world thinks about Martial Arts.

Unfortunately Traditional Karate has changed or evolved little over the last 800 years. Now don’t get me wrong, my foundation is that of Traditional Goju Karate. I have trained in the style since the age of four under some of the most qualified instructors east and west, through the years earned my degree and competed several times all over the world in both Traditional fighting and kata tournaments. I will never leave that place in my soul which carries my history and tradition. Instead, I chose to seek more knowledge, improve my skills as an all round fighter and develop further as Instructor for the students benefit as Martial Artists.

It is important to know that 15 years ago mixed martial arts was unknown in SA. We as part of kickboxing and sport karate were travelling all over the world including the USA and bringing home these new concepts.

Copyright © 2025 Kickboxing. All Rights Reserved. | Catch Foodmania by Catch Themes