Picking a Fight – Precision Mixed Martial Arts in LaGrange, NY

Jan 102013

Precision MMA LaGrange, NY

I started martial arts the day after Thanksgiving in 1999. At the time I was barely tall enough to ride Space Mountain and couldn’t fight my way out of a wet paper bag. I had a big mouth, but I was all bark and no bite. I had my martial arts epiphany after my sister’s boyfriend ended up on the wrong end of a disagreement which left him in the hospital with broken ribs and a punctured lung. He was 20 years old, stood about 6 ft 2 and was close to 200 pounds, in my estimation a Goliath. Despite his considerable frame he was helpless to defend himself. I could only imagine what would have happen to me. I decided I would do everything in my power to make sure I wouldn’t share a similar fate. I discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after buying UFC 1 at a local block buster. Watching a skinny Royce Gracie slay giants inside a chain linked fence had a profound effect on me, I had made up my mind – I joined a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school and never looked back.

Fast forward to 2005, I decided I wanted to have a professional fight. The ironic part of all this was I joined martial arts to protect me from a fight and in the end it drove me to sign up for one. I had been training for a little over 4 years and I started to feel confident in my ability to defend myself, but I couldn’t silence doubts in the back of my head. What if someone really wanted to hurt me? Could I use my skills against someone who was trying to knock my head off my shoulders? Can my knowledge stand up to a real world test? I had to know, for certain, for real what I would do in a serious fight. I wasn’t looking to fight in the UFC or have my name up in lights; I was on a quest for personal discovery.

I finally made my leap and was added to the card for Sportfighting 3 in April of 2006 – an event being run by Grappler’s Quest promoter Brian Cimins. My opponent was Khristian Geraci from team Real Combat. I remember feverously searching for information on him. All I was able to gather was that he had won some amateur boxing matches and was facing trial for stealing laptops.

I was obsessed with the fight. I was concerned I wouldn’t be used to grappling with gloves so for about 4 days I did everything (aside from using the bathroom) with MMA gloves on. I got more than a few curious looks at gas stations and deli counters. I did 2 practice weight cuts to make sure I would be on point. I would listen to my entrance music everyday on my way to training. Looking back it’s all pretty comical, but at the time I was serious as a heart attack.

Finally fight night arrived. I remember on my way to the arena my friend and I were looking for somewhere to eat when a disturbed homeless man ran after us screaming that we “stole his job”. I thought to myself as we ran frantically away from him “this will be a good warm up”.

At the arena my heart was about to explode from my chest as I watched other fighters get submitted or knocked out. When it was time to get wrapped I could barely keep my hands from trembling. I went to the bathroom and stared myself in the mirror and wondered why the Hell I signed up for this.

At one point my coach Rob saw that I was nervous and looked at me said “Hey Kid stop that shit, you’re going to kill this chump and in fact I’ve got a lot of reality TV to watch tonight so if you wouldn’t mind let’s make this quick”.

Finally it was my turn to fight. Walking towards the ring I kept thinking, “I’m sure I can figure a way out of this, I’m not in the ring yet”. Once I realized there was no going back I simply convinced myself this was nothing more than a jiu-jitsu tournament with gloves on. Somehow that thought was comforting, bringing familiarity to the chaos of the moment. Once the bell rang it was Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 101. Clinch, trip, guard pass, take the back, choke – it took all of 23 seconds. Walking back to my corner my coach looked at me and said “That’s what you were worried about?”

As it turns out my training was there for me when I needed it. What I learned in the last 6 years was worthwhile after all. I was no longer a scared 15 year old – for that day I felt 10 feet tall.

Want to fulfill your dream of fighting mixed martial arts? Try Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY

Precision MMA offers a 30 Day Free Trial call 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com to get started

Martial Arts for Kids in the Poughkeepsie Hudson Valley Region

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Dec 032012

Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts

Martial Arts can do wonders for your child’s self esteem, confidence and physical and mental health. However, there are so many martial arts schools in the Hudson Valley and each claims to be the best, what should a parent look for?

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re choosing the best martial arts school in the Poughkeepsie area

#1 – Accomplished and Reputable Instructors

If someone in the Hudson Valley is claiming to teach your child how to defend themselves, make sure they can prove they know what they are doing. Have they ever stepped into the ring and put their skills on display? Have their students used their techniques successfully against other trained martial artists? Or is the instructor inexperienced and just looking to turn a profit by taking advantage of uniformed consumers? Do your research, watch competition footage and ask around.

#2 Testimonials

Sometimes the best fighter is not the best coach. Look for testimonials from parents and students in the Hudson Valley who have been with the school for am extended period of time. If the students have nothing good to say they its is a big red flag. Look for personal endorsements from Poughkeepsie parents such as this:

#3 Quality Facility

A top of the line Hudson Valley Martial Arts facility shows that the instructor is investing in their students. A dedicated school will make sure their students are receiving their money’s worth – beware of cheap “hole in the wall” facilities. Often times these are fly by night gyms that close quickly after getting their member’s hard earned money. Make sure that the school has been around for a number of years and is here to stay.

#4 Guarantee

A real business stands behind their product or service. Only invest your money in a Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts School that offers a Money Back Guarantee.

So where in the Poughkeepsie / Hudson Valley area can you find a school that stands up to this criteria?

Precision MMA in LaGrange, NY has the areas most accomplished fighters and trainers and the largest martial arts facility in the Hudson Valley. Precision MMA is also the only Kids Martial Arts School that offers a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee as well as a 30 Day FREE Trial and most importantly all our students love it!

To get your child started with 30 Days Free call 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.lagrangemartialarts.com

Precision MMA – The Best Hudson Valley Kids Martial Arts