Alex was in the city for a few months early this year, he’s working on making writing about MMA a career so decided it would be a good idea to get involved and gain a better understanding. After heading back to Toronto he wrote up this on his time here:

The Esteemed Disciple Of Drew-Jitsu:
One Guy’s Experience At Innovative Martial Arts

By Alex Lee

I want to write about mixed martial arts for a living. That’s pretty much all you need to know. I have no background in any sport that could be considered combat-related (though I have been known to body check people during handball matches) and I’m a strict believer in solving situations in a non-violent manner. I also weigh about 150 pounds with shoes on…and a ten pound chain around my neck. That said, like so many others over the last few years, I have fallen in love with the sport of MMA and I felt compelled to experience it firsthand. After all, how hard could it be?

*****

When learning a new sport, your level of understanding is heavily dependent on both your teacher and the people you train with. This is especially true in MMA, where your training partners are also the people who are going to be punching you in the face. Luckily, instructor Andrew Green and the goon squad down at Innovative Martial Arts are both informative and enthusiastic (particularly when it comes to the face-punching). Due to the fact that MMA is still a relatively new mainstream sport, the class is mostly devoid of any “know-it-alls” or students trying things that they absolutely should not be trying. As it is, you’d be amazed how quickly you learn to trust those around you.

Then again, it’s not like you have a choice. You’re going to get battered and bruised every class. Through it all you’ve got to be ready to shake it off and, more importantly, be ready to give back as good as you’re getting it. In my second or third class, I was matched up with a gentleman (I use the term loosely) named Dave who sensed that I was holding back with my boxing. He proceeded to drop his hands to his side (don’t try this at home, kids) and dared me to punch him in the face. I hit his shoulder, his chest, his collarbone, but I couldn’t bring myself to hit another person in the face. I’d never done it before and I was scared. Finally, I gave him a weak shot to the chin. He nodded his approval and I was proud of myself. Of course, he then jabbed me square in the face. It was the first time I had ever been punched. I loved it and I made sure to thank him for it later.

*****

“There’s only about five minutes left.”

I could barely move my head enough to shake it in defeat, much less look up to Andrew and say, “I’ll show you where you can shove your five minutes…” There I was, only a few minutes away from completing my first MMA lesson and I was certain that I was going to keel over and die right there on those blue mats. I expected him to come at me like a drill sergeant, maybe comparing me to a maggot or a little girl (which wouldn’t work as I later found out that he taught little girls who were way tougher than me). Or maybe he would break out some kind of Zen wisdom that would separate my mind from my body and all that. Instead he simply made sure I was still breathing and said, “Well, it’s your first class. Don’t worry about it.”

An MMA workout is more strenuous than any other exercise I’d ever experienced. Everything is cardio, cardio, cardio and you’ll figure out fast whether or not your lungs are up to the challenge. I’m someone who does a decent amount of jogging and I dabble in various sports, but my first MMA class nearly killed me. You have no idea how many parts of your body need oxygen until you’ve given them a solid work out. I was sore for days, but when I eventually recovered I felt better than I’ve ever felt, both mentally and physically. It’s important to know your limits, but you should also be constantly working to surpass those limits.

*****

One of the best things about MMA is that there are so many different aspects to it. It’s complicated, but there’s something in it for everyone. Some guys really enjoyed the grappling classes, others excelled as strikers and some of us just had great cardio and loved the challenge of it. These aspects often overlapped and before you knew it, the grapplers were throwing hands and the strikers were taking people to the mat. I never thought I’d have any aptitude for grappling, but within two months I went from getting squashed every class to getting squashed every other class. That’s progress.

The basic philosophy behind Jiu-Jitsu (as I understand it) is that you use your opponent’s strength and energy against him. This is perfect for little dudes like myself. The problem is that you see people doing it on TV and in the movies and you figure there’s no way that will work for you. And you’ll be right at first, but that’s only because you suck at it. After a few weeks training with Andrew you’ll start to get the hang of it and you’ll be amazed the first time you manage to get a 250 lb. guy off of your chest and onto his back. I was so thrilled that I would begin to describe Andrew’s teachings as “Drew-Jitsu”, a name that he has refused to embrace or endorse despite my willingness to relinquish the trademark and all future profits to him. He is a harsh master.

*****

I wholeheartedly recommend the IMA experience to anyone out there, whether you’re looking for a fun hobby, looking to get the kids out of the house, looking to become a professional fighter or just looking to beat somebody up without getting arrested. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s deeply rewarding and the people there are a pleasure to train with. Even if you’re just looking to get in shape, IMA provides a personal workout environment that you don’t always get at a larger fitness centre. Not to mention the fact that choking out the guy on treadmill next to you is generally considered to be in bad taste. When you’re practicing mixed martial arts, it’s encouraged. So give it a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose but a few teeth.

Alex Lee is a freelance sports writer
currently living in Markham, Ontario.  You can read more of his
MMA thoughts at www.herecomesanewchallenger.com …whenever he actually gets around to
writing something!