Aug 162019
 
Poughkeepsie’s Brian McLaughlin working with Jim Miller

This past weekend at UFC on ESPN 5, New Jersey’s own Jim Miller faced off against UFC legend and Hall of Famer Clay Guida. Hoping to extend his record of most fights in the UFC, Miller stared across the cage to meet eyes with his fellow UFC veteran. In Miller’s corner stood Precision Boxing and MMA’s head coach Brian McLaughlin. Clay had his brother Jason Guida, who was on The Ultimate Fighter season 8 alongside Hudson Valley resident McLaughlin. This bout was a fan favorite on the card, a fight that seemingly should have taken place years ago; but neither man seems to have lost a stride with age. The fight begins with both men getting a sense of each other’s movement with Miller in a southpaw stance, mirroring Guida in an orthodox stance. Miller threw a head kick and both men engaged in a flurry, each landing meaningful punches. Miller replies to a hard shot from Guida with a left hook. As Guida ducks under the hook, Miller is able to get a secure grip around Guida’s neck and fall to his guard, locking in a tight guillotine choke.

Miller finishes his fight via 1st round guillotine choke.


After both men hit the mat, Jim kept an iron-clad squeeze on Guida’s neck. After a couple of seconds, referee Herb Dean noticed Guida’s hand go limp and stopped the fight. Jim shakes himself out from under Guida’s unconscious body and jumps up on the cage to celebrate in his home state. Miller has been on a tear, winning three of his last four bouts. If you live in the Hudson Valley and want to train with the same coach as UFC veteran Jim Miller, check out Precision Boxing and MMA in Poughkeepsie!
Give us a call at (845)392-8495 or visit our website at http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com to get started today!

Feb 212019
 
Victory for Lindsey at Bellator 215

It was an exciting night for the audience and the supporting crew of Precision at Bellator 215. They were immediately treated to an extraordinary performance in the preliminary portion put on by Precision’s student Lindsey ‘Damsel’ Vanzandt, that resulted in a beautiful finish; a second round knock out. Lindsey continues to prove that she is a dominating, unstoppable force at 105 pounds that will continue to climb the ranks until she becomes a champion. The second round knock out improved her professional record to 5-1.

After the big win, Lindsey poses with coaches and the supporting crew of Precision

At the beginning of round one, a fair share of punches and kicks were exchanged between Lindsey and her opponent, but Lindsey’s unmatched perfectly timed take down and carefully placed punches were competitive enough to keep her opponent challenged and hurt. In the second round, Lindsey dominated the striking exchanges, stalking her opponent into the fence. From there, Lindsey rocked and dropped her opponent with a beautiful left hook that ended the round with a KO.

The beginning of the end

Going into the fight, Lindsey lost her original opponent, but was fortunate enough to be matched up with another opponent to fight. Lucky for us, because it was truly an entertaining performance. Lindsey walked away from the cage that night with little to no injuries, a victory and a great attitude.

Lindsey is already back in the gym training, improving and looking forward to competing again in the near future. Lindsey isn’t just a great fighter, she also has a big heart and a great attitude, touching everyone she meets in a positive way. We’re proud to represent such a strong willed, competitive individual in the MMA community, and we’re looking forward to see her excel in her journey to become a champion.

Always big smiles from Lindsey

Live in the Hudson Valley and looking to train MMA? Visit us at PrecisionMixedMartialArts.com or call 845-392-8495 so we can get you started today!

Jan 302019
 

When most people think of martial arts, they think of self-defense or some sort of unarmed fighting.  Whether you’re training karate, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you’re most likely going to be learning a form of hand to hand combat. However, what most people don’t realize is that being a martial artist is about much more than punches, kicks and takedowns. One of the most important benefits that martial arts can provide is instilling a sense of martial character. This means living your life as a confident and compassionate individual who cares just as much about their neighbor’s well-being as they do about their own. It means having the physical skills to defend yourself and the mental wherewithal to be able to deescalate a potentially dangerous or violent situation.

 At Poughkeepsie’s premier martial arts academy Precision Boxing and MMA, we make it a priority that our members uphold our ideals of martial character on the mats and in their everyday life. We believe that the first step to developing a strong martial character is giving back to your community. This past week, we volunteered with Dutchess Outreach’s Lunch Box Program where we were given the opportunity to serve hot lunches to families in need throughout the Poughkeepsie area. We had an awesome response from our members, quickly filling up our volunteer list. It was a great time for our staff and members, we loved getting to know some of the people who share our beautiful neighborhood with us. If you’re interested in training martial arts, self-defense and becoming part of a community that gives back, come check out Precision Boxing and MMA; the Hudson Valley’s largest Mixed Martial Arts academy. Give us a call today at (845)392-8495.

Jan 212019
 

In the world of mixed martial arts, there is one question that remains a constant; which discipline is the most important? Where should I invest the majority of my time to become the best martial artist possible? During the conception of the UFC, mixed martial arts was a foreign concept to most people. It wasn’t widely broadcasted on Fox or ESPN, and very few people viewed it as a legitimate sport. It wasn’t about who was the best fighter, or who was the most accomplished athlete, who trained the hardest. More often than not, it came down to style versus style matchups. Will the boxer beat the wrestler? Will the judoka beat the kickboxer?

                While boxing and wrestling were household names in the USA, a more foreign art began to establish itself as an unstoppable force in the UFC. A man by the name of Royce Gracie was taking the mixed martial arts world by storm. To the laymen, it almost looked like magic. This was when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began to be recognized as one of the most effective martial arts in the world. Not only was Royce continually winning his matches, he was submitting opponents who were significantly larger than him with seemingly minimal effort. His streak of dominance came to an end when he faced the then-current welterweight champion Matt Hughes. Hughes, a skilled wrestler with knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a vicious ground and pound technique knocked out Royce in the first round. Hughes’ reign as champion highlighted the importance of wrestling in mixed martial arts competition.

                Since Hughes, there have been many wrestlers who made their way to the top. Todays’ lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is feared for his relentless top pressure; dragging his opponents to the ground, trapping their limbs and beating them mercilessly. Olympians such as Daniel Cormier, Yoel Romero, and Henry Cejudo have made it to the most elite level in their respective weight classes through their wrestling prowess. However, grappling isn’t necessarily the solution to the puzzle of mixed martial arts.

                Every fight starts on the feet, and some of the best martial artists of all time have been strikers. After making a name for himself in the Pride Fighting Championship, the famed Anderson Silva went on a sixteen fight win streak in the UFC. Anderson had a style that nobody had seen before, moving his head like a cobra, finishing his opponents with style and ease. Many strikers have followed in his footsteps, including the boxing-based “Notorious” Conor McGregor. The Irish superstar combined his unusual ability to control the striking distance with phenomenal take down defense. This was displayed beautifully in his fight against the accomplished wrestler Chad Mendes. Conor stuffed a couple of takedowns, but found himself in danger once Mendes finally took him down. Conor weathered a barrage of elbows and used his distance control to knock Mendes out once they stood up. Standout strikers such as Stephen Thompson, Israel Adesanya and Max Holloway have also displayed the skills to finish skilled grapplers with their precision and accuracy.

Although the fighters that I’ve mentioned specialize in a particular discipline, they still need to be well versed in all facets of combat to find success. That’s why at Precision Boxing and MMA we’ve strived to create an environment where the aspiring martial artist can learn multiple disciplines under one roof. Here you can find a top notch boxing program, train Muay Thai under the guidance of an undefeated champion, and learn to grapple with the experience of four Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts on staff. Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is wrestling based, and we always start on the feet and drill takedowns. If you want to make your MMA dreams a reality, come check out Precision Boxing and MMA; the Hudson Valleys Premier mixed martial arts academy. Give us a call at (845)392-8495. Feel free to visit us online at http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com

Nov 142018
 

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to begin your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey. You’re probably pretty excited, maybe even a little nervous. That’s normal,  as long as you’ve chosen an academy with passionate qualified coaches, you have nothing to worry about. The benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are bountiful. Training is a beautiful and productive way to learn more about yourself and overcome any difficulties that you may be experiencing throughout your life. However, there are a handful of very common beginner mistakes that could stunt your progress. Here’s a list of common things to avoid:

Learn to properly tie your belt.

 When you arrive at your academy, the first thing most people do before stepping onto the mats is to change into their Gi. This is where one of the most common mistakes occurs. First and foremost, make sure your pants are facing the right way. My first day, I put my pants on backwards and my first interaction with my coach was him discreetly alerting me that my pants were on backwards. I felt like a fool, but the longer I trained, I realized it’s a classic beginner error. When putting on your pants, make sure that the drawstring loops and logo are in front. Draw the strings so that the pants are snug around your waist, pull them through the loops and tie a knot in the front. Now that your pants are on and you’ve put on the Gi jacket, it’s time to tie the belt. There are tons of online tutorials on how to tie a belt, and they’re all pretty simple. This may seem insignificant, but a poorly tied belt sends a message to your coaches and classmates that you’re not taking this seriously. Dress like you want to be there.

Stay consistent

 Attendance is important for progress. Make sure to come to class often and that your training is consistent. It’s okay to miss a class to spend time with your family and friends, and it’s understandable that work will get in the way sometimes. With everything going on in your life, it’s vital to keep track of how often you’ve been attending. If you’re only coming to class once a week, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Sure, one day a week is better than nothing, however you’re putting your body through new motions and challenging your brain to understand brand new concepts. If you only practice these new techniques once a week, there’s a good chance that you’ll forget some key details by the time the following week rolls around. Most submissions require some sort of setup and consist of multiple steps. If you’re missing one step, you could be missing 30% of the move! Imagine throwing a punch with 30% of your arm missing. It wouldn’t be nearly as effective, and probably would fall short of your target. In addition to making sure you’re understanding and remembering techniques, attending class regularly will get your body into the shape that you need to perform at your full potential.

Leave your ego at the door.

This is something that you’ve probably heard before, and arguably the most important thing for beginners to remember. Jiu-Jitsu is humbling and coming in with a “tough guy” attitude can be worst thing for your progress. Come in viewing yourself as a student and keep in mind that you’re new to this. It’s healthiest to view Jiu-Jitsu as a scholarly pursuit, something that you’re working on learning. Be patient with yourself. Don’t muscle through techniques. Although Jiu-Jitsu is a physically demanding activity, people often mistake strength for technique. Yes, being strong can be beneficial in Jiu-Jitsu as well as other forms of combat, however it’s common for stronger guys to overlook details of techniques because they can muscle their way to victory. This is all well and good until they roll with somebody of similar or more powerful physique. Always keep in mind to make sure you’re doing the technique properly. If you’re using a herculean effort, you’re probably doing something wrong.

Drill often.

I know, once open mat time comes around, everybody just wants to roll. Rolling is great, you can learn a lot, you get to apply the techniques that you’ve been drilling, and it’s inevitably the most fun part of training. However, it’s important to balance your open mat time with drilling sessions as well as rolling. Try to find a higher belt who’s willing to drill with you, they can provide insight that you may have overlooked. Even if it’s just you and another novice, just drill the techniques that you had gone over in class until you’re feeling confident. Then go for a few rolls and try to hit the moves you were drilling.

Have fun.

Above all, make sure that you’re having fun! Jiu-Jitsu is a beautiful discipline and has brought more joy to my life than any other activity that I’ve been a part of. Enjoy learning, go in with a positive and humble attitude, drill lots and stay consistent. Happy rolling!

If you want to make your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dreams a reality, come check out Precision Boxing and MMA; the Hudson Valleys Premier mixed martial arts academy! Give us a call at (845)392-8495 to schedule your free lesson today!

Nov 132018
 

To say Professional Mixed Martial Artist Lindsey VanZandt of Poughkeepsie, NY is a hard working and dedicated fighter would be a huge understatement. Weighing only 105 pounds, Lindsey is an unstoppable competitor with a big heart and equally huge dream to succeed in the world of MMA. With her impressive striking power, great character and coordinated movements, she has the potential to become one of the best fighters in her weight class. Lindsey recently earned a victory from a King of the Cage match that she agreed to take last minute with little time to prepare for the fight. Proving that Lindsey doesn’t ‘get ready for fights’, she stays ready due to her commitment to being a professional fighter. Despite such a short notice, Lindsey won the victory by a second-round knockout that improved her professional fighting record to 4-1. It’s evident that Lindsey has no plan on stopping until she becomes a champion of the sport and we’re willing to wait.

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Lindsey Training with Precision Boxing Coach Crazy Jon

While Lindsey most certainly some pretty impressive attributes as an unmatched fighter, what stands out most about Lindsey is her good heart and commitment to the sport. She always has a smile on her face and focuses on the positive aspects of things. It wasn’t always an easy ride to victories and success, Lindsey had to overcome some difficulties in her path that would have set her back if she had not been as dedicated and strong willed. Want to learn more about Lindsey’s story? The Poughkeepsie Journal covered an article about her. Click HERE to read it.

Live in the Hudson Valley and looking to train MMA? Visit us at http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com or call 845-392-8495 so we can get you started today!

Oct 192018
 

Anybody who’s been following MMA for the past couple of weeks will likely be discussing the aftermath of the long awaited bout between “The Notorious” Conor McGregor and Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov. This bitter rivalry hit a new boiling point after Khabib, a UFC world champion,  hurled himself over the cage and lunged at McGregor’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Dillon Dannis. Dannis, a grappling phenom and Bellator MMA star answered with a quick flurry of punches towards Khabib before the two were separated by security.dillon and brian

Dillon Dannis and Precision Head Coach Brian McLaughlin

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Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov and Dillon Dannis

A fact that most people are unaware of, is that at one point Dillon, Khabib and Precision head coach Brian McLaughlin all trained together under the same roof at AMA Fight Club in Whippany, NJ. At the time, Khabib was preparing for his UFC debut and Dillon was an up and coming prospect; a teen just getting started at Pro Practices. Coach Brian was instructing at AMA as well as sparring with pros himself. Back then, Dillon was quiet and kept a low profile but would show flashes of the brashness that has become his calling card. Khabib was all business from day one. He would come in with his small army of Russians and each of his training partners would pray that they’d make it out of practice with all of the limbs they came in with.

In the days of AMA Fight Club, Dillon and Khabib were always cordial, but life took them in different directions. Khabib relocated to San Jose, California and Dillon became a prodigy under Marcelo Garcia and eventually caught the eye of Conor McGregor; the biggest star that the sport has ever seen. Although the world sees them as bitter rivals at each other’s throat, the memory remains of them being two hard working martial artists sharing the mat in the quest toward greatness.

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Head Coach of Precision Boxing and MMA Brian McLaughlin poses with Dillon for a group photo after training.

If you live in the Hudson Valley area and want to make your MMA dream a reality, learn how to defend yourself and get into the best shape of your life, give us a call at: 845-392-8495. Come check out Precision Boxing and MMA, the Hudson Valley’s premier mixed martial arts academy precisionmixedmartialarts.com

Sep 272018
 

Precision Boxing and MMA fighter Garret Volpe earned a hard fought victory on Saturday, but it wasn’t long ago that he was in a hospital bed, not fighting for fame, but his survival. Garret fell victim to a heart complications that occured after being infected with an otherwise harmless virus. The situation became so dire that he was one step away from being on a donor list. See the video below to learn more about Volpe’s journey and recovery.

While this news would terrify most people, Garret faced his illness with steadfast determination and optimism, confident that he would not only survive, but thrive.

Once he was back on his feet he did not waste any time and refocused himself on his martial arts goals. First he stepped into the ring for his first boxing match, a grappling superfight followed, then a muay thai bout. All matches had one constant, a notch in the win column for Volpe.

MMA competition remained Volpe’s ultimate goal though. At Cage Wars he would have his opportunity. Standing in his way was a fierce competitor from Team Renzo Gracie, a camp that has numerous past and current world champions to their credit. Volpe knew a hard battle was ahead of him, but he welcomed the challenge with open arms.

The first round began and Volpe began putting his trademark combinations together. Using his whole body as a weapon and his opponent’s whole body as a target Volpe unleashed lightning quick punches, knees and kicks to the head, legs and body.

In the second round Volpe showed his grappling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu skills taking the fight to the ground and progressing to a near fight ending choke hold. Saved by the bell his opponent came out in the final round determined to win and late in the bout landed several hard punches opening a cut around Volpe’s eye. Volpe wethered the storm though and showed that his heart and determination matched his technique en route to a decision victory.

Poughkeepsie MMA fighter Garret Volpe wins

Poughkeepsie MMA fighter Garret Volpe wins

If you live in the Poughkeepsie are and would like to make your MMA dreams come true check out Precision Boxing & MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com

Sep 152018
 


Women are no strangers to violence. It’s not rare that we hear of women being victimized in modern society. The statistics of women experiencing sexual or physical violence are scary and a true realization that women aren’t being encouraged to be properly taught how to defend themselves in  assault situations. While abuse may happen to anyone, women are by far the more frequent victims. This is the optimal reason why instead of participating in spin class to get better at riding a bicycle women should view learning how to protect themselves as a priority. Women shouldn’t rely solely on male figures, groups or weapons to defend themselves, they should be mentally and physically prepared to defend against attackers if need be at any moment. Men are often viewed as stronger and bigger, which may often be the case in most confrontations, but knowing how to use your opponent’s mechanics against them is key to surviving and protecting yourself in any situation. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or BJJ is a martial art that teaches smaller individuals how to use bigger opponent’s height, weight and movement to their advantage. This sport enables women to fight off attackers of any size and allows them to build confidence, an essential key to gaining advantage in violent engagements. Women don’t have to feel helpless in attacks or fall victim to physical and sexual abuse, with the proper instruction and environment, women can be given the tools to defend themselves. At Precision Boxing and MMA, we offer various disciplines that teach self-defense, satisfying multiple ambitions of our practitioners. Our BJJ classes are taught by  knowledgeable instructors of the sport in an accepting, controlled environment. BJJ teaches individuals how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations by empowering students with knowledge and various techniques to safely defuse any situation. If you’re interested in learning a sport that’ll teach you self-defense and promote confidence Call 845.392.8495 or visit http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com

Aug 312018
 

Developing confidence in adolescence is beneficial to establishing endeavors, promoting good health, and facing difficult challenges with an open mindset. During this time of growth, life doesn’t always work in their particular favor. They’re vulnerable to peer pressure, insecurities, and unrealistic expectations of others. Throw in the unfair struggle of trying to ‘fit in’ with popular crowds or finding a ‘cliché to accept them, and they get a brutal concoction of emotions and unnecessary stress. Confidence plays a key role in overcoming self-image issues, developing wide social groups and resisting peer pressure. Self confidence transfers over into self-esteem which benefits and impacts social groups, decision making and effectively overcoming challenges in an adolescent’s life. A lack of confidence can be detrimental to mental, educational and social health. Fortunately, they’re many methods to developing confidence during an adolescent’s life, one of the easiest methods being to join a group or sport that enforces discipline, provides a strong supportive environment, and teaches values or skills that will benefit their lives. Training martial arts delivers all of the essential tools to develop confidence and self-esteem. At Precision Boxing & MMA in Poughkeepsie, NY we offer a friendly atmosphere in a controlled environment. Our coaches teach students how to defend themselves in confrontation and how to feel comfortable in all uncomfortable situations. They’re taught how to respect others and stand up for themselves, two good values to learn. Training martial arts can improve confidence through these assets, resulting in a tremendous impact on a young individual’s life that will positively influence social, physical and emotional development. Check out what one of our young students from the Hudson Valley has to say about how training MMA has positively changed his confidence and social life.

If you’re a young adult struggling with gaining confidence and expanding social circles, make the decision to train alongside an ever-growing number of students at Precision Boxing and MMA in Poughkeepsie, the Hudson Valley’s premier academy. Come see how Brain Mclaughlin and his coaches can help you improve confidence today! Call 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com

 Posted by at 12:53 am