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Subject: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Ionsfighter [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 19:42:13 12/08/08 Mon Hello, I’m a MMA super-fan. I have felt, for the past four years, that if I was to be trained Id be unstoppable. I pay attention to every strike, escape and submission. I have never trained with anyone but myself. I have a kickboxing heavy bag that I sometimes spend hours a day working with. I feel fast and very strong. Its one thing to watch, and another to train. Wrestling, I received AAU titles. But didn’t continue with the sport. I did not like not being able to lock my hands. I wanted more. I felt there were ways to work off the back. This was before I ever heard of Jujitsu. I AM HUNGRY. I am 21 years old. I stand 6'1 and I weight 170lbs. I have a strong frame and very wide shoulders. I am extremely flexible; however, I have little weight training experience. I want to be a fighter. I’m looking for help. I’m a full time employee at Best Buy. I have many college credits, but am shy of a degree. The two local MMA gyms want $225 down, and $100 a month. I can’t do this. I live in Wilmington North Carolina, and plan on moving to Charlotte NC in July. I know I can do big things. I just need help. If anyone can direct me, Id be grateful. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Rick [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07:42:55 12/09/08 Tue go ahead Neal.... [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Kelvin Hunt [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:06:51 12/09/08 Tue LOL...I was thinking the same thing Rick. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Neal Weaver [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:16:39 12/09/08 Tue What exactly do you expect to pay per month for MMA training (the sort that will make you competitive)? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Rick [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:05:01 12/09/08 Tue I think you should go to your local MMA gym, tell them you are the next great MMA superstar, and just see what they say. Let them know that you are doing them a favor by training there and you want a discount. Let them know that you are "hungry, and can do big things"....Although you've never trained with anyone but yourself. Seriously, dont forget to mention that you have paid attention to every "strike, escape, and submission" by watching it on TV.....they'll listen I'm sure. You sound like the next champ, don't let anyone hold you back, your obvious potential must be unleashed. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Tracey [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:21:23 12/09/08 Tue "go ahead Neal...." LMFAO! I was thinking the same thing. P.S. Don't hurt me Neal. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Kelvin Hunt [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:56:50 12/09/08 Tue You may want to rent some instructional DVD's and get your learn on Evan Tanner style. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Ionsfighter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:01:46 12/09/08 Tue Rick, i cant tell if you're being serious or not. It doesnt matter. I was asking for advice to get started. It is always easier to pull someone down with scarcastic remarks rather than offering any real help. And Neal, I was hoping for in the area of 40 dollars a month. I provide my own equiptment. --- I should have been more specific. I am not seeking 1 on 1 training. Nor am I seeking to take classes. I am seekin an area where I can find good sparring partners. Bas Rutten, for example, claims to have never of had specific training. He claims to have had good sparring partners and be self trained. Check out Inside MMA, hes brought up the subject once or twice. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: ionsfighter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:04:55 12/09/08 Tue Kelvin, I have watched Duke Roufus' kickboxing set, Bas Ruttens big box of combat DVDs, Fedor's new training DVD (VERY VERY good, first time ive seen Fedor talk so much. Everyone should see this DVD). These are the DVDs that support my training. Any others anyone could recomend would be great. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Rodney [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:16:04 12/09/08 Tue Neal, as always, makes good points. If you want a quality school and quality trainers you need to fork over the money. Ok, I understand you are low on cash, it's a recession after all. HOWEVER, there are other things you can do, or seem to already be doing, to get a leg up. Have you entered any "open to the public" tough man competitions? Win a few of those, have a friend video tape, and then approach a few gyms owners with your tape. Some instructors might consider watching and helping you work off some of your membership fees if they see potential. Scrubbing mats, cleaning the showers, opening or closing the gym on the weekends. All it takes is to find the right gym or right instructor to give you a chance. One thing's for sure. Regardless of your potential, I'm 99% sure you will not "make it" in MMA by training in your garage. You need a good school and a good team behind you. Then down the road, Once you start winning some semi-pro fights, you might get a sponsor or two... that will help pay the monthly fees! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Ionsfighter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:39:23 12/09/08 Tue So the $225 down and $100 a month is normal? What do you guys pay? This all started when I finally decided to go to our local gym, Champions, in Wilmington. I was interduced to one of the co-owners by a friend. This guy, Neal, was very friendly and seamed to ready to help me. He invited me to try it out for the week. Well on my third day, DURING CLASS, I was approached by one of the other Co-owners. In front of the class he started to ask me what my plans were. I responded, "Ive been interested, I want to see whats right for me. I want to see if this is what I want to do. So far it is." Then, in a very disrespectful tone, he shook his head and began "I dont care what neal told you, youve been here 3 days, thats 2 more than what we normally give people. Are you ready to sign up?! Its 225 down, 100 a month. Can you afford it???" It was the tone in his voice, supported by the fact that we were on the mats in front of about 8 other people. I was speechless. Instead of arguing with this man, whos name I never got, I told him "Thank you, but judging on the tone, this is not the gym for me" I walked out. Now Im looking for suggestions to see if this is normal. The gym was tiny. Two rooms, a weight room and a dirty, dusty smelly padded room. The co-owner (the one that disrespected me) allowed his two large dogs on the mats at all times of the day. It just wasnt a good place. Coupled with the fact he wanted so much money i was just in awe. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Rick [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:14:18 12/09/08 Tue Look, I'm not sure about your situation at Champions, sounds like that gym may not be for you. But, it costs money to run these places and if every trainer let the "next big thing" train at a discounted rate, then they would go out of business fast. It's better to go prove yourself, then ask for favors. The biggest problem is when people who think they are the "next big thing" actually start training, they soon realize they are just average and need to put in the same hard work and training everyone else does. But, they are so discouraged because they thought they were some sort of prodigy and they never stick with it. ***Tracey*** come to TFTC tonight @ 6...yes? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Ionsfighter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:32:08 12/09/08 Tue Oh I hear you Rick. I know the type. The prodigy. I am no where near that. I guess it would be nice to hear what the going rates are in NC for training facilities. I understand, after I prove myself, there may be a discount. However, what did you start off paying? Anyone have an idea of the average. 225 down/100 a month sounds very steep. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: CT [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:45:49 12/09/08 Tue I pay a little more than that in Raleigh, but that includes BJJ and Muay Thai. Check out Evolution in Wilmington (Wrightsville Beach). I've been to a few seminars at their place. Jeremy and Dave are both great guys and qualified. Their fees are posted as well: http://www.evolutionmixedmartialarts.com/index.php [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Ionsfighter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:48:01 12/09/08 Tue Yes, Evolution is a great gym. Im right in the same area as well. I like how they dont make you pay a down payment. 125 a month *6 month contract* isnt too shabby either. Looks like the place for me. Anyone have any suggestions for good MMA training DVDs? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Neal Weaver [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:29:50 12/09/08 Tue 100/month is a minimum/starting point for decent training for MMA comp IMO. You say you want sparring partners, but you dont have anything to offer good people, so they have no reason to be your sparring partners. Bas, is a) a freak athlete and b) competed at a time when the MMA crowd was pretty weak field and c) had ALOT of formal full contact Karate and kickboxing training. His MMA training was more free wheeling, but he already had a very solid skill set in one area of MMA, which you do not have. Go to Evolution, the price is decent and IMO a good, if not excellent place to train. DO NOT mention fighting, just train your ass off and let the rest take care of itself. Trust me on this. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Ionsfighter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:56:02 12/09/08 Tue Neal, Rick, Rodney, Kevin; thanks for you input. Evolution is my ticket. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Kelvin Hunt [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:47:16 12/09/08 Tue Ion, Good luck with that. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: blake [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:08:39 12/11/08 Thu i don't know much about the MMA game but i am an amateur boxing trainer in alabama, and i run a gym that trains fighers just because we love the sport. we do not charge a dime and have turned out some great boxers. its not about how much you spend, its about how much heart you have, don't let people bring you down with sarcasim. if you want it bad enough you can make it happen! Phillipians 4:13 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Rick [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 03:21:23 12/12/08 Fri Bryan, Blake from Crossroads Boxing is right….heart is everything...However; training with actual people couldn’t hurt...Unfortunately, that training may cost money. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: blake [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:28:44 12/18/08 Thu YES you definatley need to train with other people all the bag work in the world can't do justice to actual sparring with someone. I understand that traing in most places cost money , and hey you gotta do what ya gotta do. but I believe that these rates are a little steep. Around here (again i'm in Alabama) the avereage cost of an mma gym is around $60/month. i found a gym in charollette area, may be helpful heres the link http://nc.roycegracie.tv/index.htm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Wilmington/Charlotte -need advice- Author: Neal Weaver [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:55:13 12/18/08 Thu What is the average cost of rent in that area of Alabama? [ Post a Reply to This Message ]