When people hear "MMA," they usually picture a cage, bright lights, and two professional fighters going at it. So it's no surprise that one of the most common questions we get at Westside MMA is: "Do I have to want to fight to train here?"
The short answer is no. The majority of people who train mixed martial arts never step into a competition. They train because it's a great workout, it teaches real self-defense, and it's simply fun. Here's what MMA training really looks like for everyday people in Little Rock.
Mixed martial arts combines striking and grappling into one complete system. In an MMA class, you'll learn elements of:
The goal is to understand how all of these pieces fit together, whether you're standing up, against a wall, or on the ground. That makes MMA one of the most well-rounded forms of martial arts training you can do.
Walk into an MMA class on any given day and you'll find a wide mix of people: professionals who want a challenging workout after work, parents who want to stay active, college students, former athletes who miss competing, and people who simply want to know how to defend themselves. Only a small percentage of members have any interest in competing.
Everyone trains for their own reasons, and every one of those reasons is valid.
Safety is the top priority in a good MMA gym. Most of class time is spent learning and drilling techniques with a cooperative partner, not sparring. When live training does happen, it's controlled, supervised by coaches, and matched to your experience level. Beginners are never thrown into hard sparring, and you always have control over how much contact you're comfortable with.
The culture of the gym matters, too. At Westside MMA, our training partners look out for each other. Taking care of your partner is part of the deal.
Even if you never compete, MMA training offers benefits that are hard to find anywhere else:
If you discover along the way that you'd like to test yourself in competition, you'll be in the right place. Westside MMA is home to coaches with real professional experience, including head instructor Roli Delgado, a veteran of the UFC and Bellator, and professional MMA fighter Jeremiah Cullum. Coach Matt Hamilton has been teaching martial arts since 1991 and was one of Arkansas's early MMA competitors. Whether your goal is fitness or a future fight, you'll learn from people who have been there.
Westside MMA is an internationally recognized mixed martial arts gym with an 8,000 square foot facility just minutes from Downtown Little Rock. Our classes welcome all ages and experience levels, and no prior martial arts background is needed to get started.
Come see what it's all about. Learn more about our Mixed Martial Arts program, claim a free trial class on our Online Specials page, or call us at 501-663-3850. We're located at 806 South Izard Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.
After training in MMA since 2010 I have finally found my home gym. The techniques taught and the charisma and characteristics of the people that train everyday beats any other place hands down. The vibe you get as soon as you walk through the doors will reassure your decision of the right place to pour in your hard effort, sweat and tears. After every class you are guaranteed leaving the mats feeling like a better more accomplished person than you were before stepping foot upon them. The love that carries over outside of the mats into your everyday life where you make not only new friends but also inherit a new family. The level of respect and appreciation these brothers and sisters share for one another is truly a showcase for MMA
Talented coaches who have completed and coached at the highest levels, and excellent training partners make Westside a great gym whether you want to compete or get in shape. The training here is top notch for anywhere, so we’re lucky to have it here in Arkansas.
This place is amazing! If you are looking to get in shape, please give Westside a shot! Whether grappling or striking, you'll get in shape fast! Lifting weights or running has its place but it's boring.... you'll have so much fun here that getting in shape is a by-product!!!!