Is it necessary to have a solid base before starting MMA?

[BattlingIyan]

I always hear people say that before you jump into training MMA and multiple disciplines, you should first start off by training in just one (one striking or grappling art).

I don't know how MMA-focused gyms are run but I think it would be fine to jump right in, maybe even better. I assume that the striking and grappling that they work is tailor-made for MMA like they train striking with the assumption of takedowns. So rather than training in an art where some of its tactics are not really suitable to MMA (ex. boxing and bobbing/weaving), you're already training specifically for it.

If that's not how trainers train their fighters then one day, I think it would be best if it evolved to be that way. There would be no "Muay Thai" or "BJJ" classes. Just striking and grappling.

[Phal4nx]

Rory McDonald is proof you don't need a traditional base martial art

[High4Lyf]

Rory McDonald is proof you don't need a traditional base martial art

Just wrestled with him a few days ago, really nice fellow...kind of a nerd though

[Mata Leao]

Rory McDonald is proof you don't need a traditional base martial art

dont listen to half of this guys on here most have no experience....

but you have to know that theres more then one way around it, theres guys that train 3 arts from day one.... thats their base, others start doing bjj then get into boxing too, so bjj would be their base, base dosent mean much, just means out of all the arts you have train one the longest, but you dont have to if you wanna start do it, naturally you will develop what works better and you enjoy better, that will be your base but dosent take away to training others.

my base would be bjj i guess but i trained muay thai for just as long, only difference is, there are alot more ways to compete in grappling then in striking, so i do a ton of tournaments and in the big ones i compete in 3 divisions, doing just as good in muay thai and mma divisions as bjj.

moral of the story just start training you will find your base anyways no matter what, you could start doing boxing but then fall in love with bjj

[cgc]

dont listen to half of this guys on here most have no experience....

Actually there are a number of members in here who have experience.

Also, the way I'm understanding the question the OP was wondering if it was necessary to have a history with a specific MA (or base) before training MMA. The answer to that would be, no. I've known many people who just jumped into training in a "MMA" Class then went on to studying with more specialized schools.

Unless you have someone who comes from a background in a TMA, highschool/college wrestling or boxing background, I personally don't consider what you've become more proficient at your "base" if you've been training several MAs equally as long.

[Championjujitsu]

Unless you wanna get taken down and wrestle ****ed or submitted, or outstruck, start training something serious

[Mata Leao]

Actually there are a number of members in here who have experience.

.

yeah true dont wanna offend those who compete and train, but when i hear people say that you dont need a base art to fight in mma because of rory it throws me off, the dude trains bjj.wrestling,boxing and muay thai at equal levels from day one so his base is mma, the term is very subjective

[DFS200]

Like the Rory example, if you're athletic then you'll succeed, you just need a lot of time and the right teaching. I would recommend wrestling for anybody's base though. You can start young, it's available at the scholastic level in most places, teaches great work ethic, will give you great grappling strength, and hopefully a mind that absorbs techniques quickly. If you've been successful in any sport before (combative or not) chances are you have a physical or mental advantage that can be applied to mma, so I would say that's an important base in general. One type of person that never really works out is the unathletic guy who has never played sports and just started mma in his mid-twenties+, these are the guys that populate the beginner streams in gyms everywhere.

[GhostZ28]

The short answer to what you're asking is no.

[HardGainer82]

Rory McDonald is proof you don't need a traditional base martial art

Rich Franklin, too.

[DESTROYERARGH]

Unless you wanna get taken down and wrestle ****ed or submitted, or outstruck, start training something serious

Guessin' from the username this guy is obviously a Champion in Jujitsu. Is that by any chance Jiu Jitsu? And by champion are you just a ****ing lying loser? Get ****ed crank ****!