Best Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training books and DVDs?
So me and my friends just started training in MMA, but the thing is, we live like 45 miles away from the gym, there are none closer. We decided to buy some books and dvds to supplement our learning.
Question:
What books and dvds would you recommend that provide the most complete, comprehensive, and clear instruction on the techniques used in mixed martial arts?
I’ve seen some books at the B&N from fighters such as BJ Penn, Fedor, Matt Hughes, and 10th Planet BJJ, are these books worth a buy? I’ve also heard of guides online such as Mario Roberto’s BJJ Video Encyclopedia for 150 bucks, or Bas Rutten’s Big Book of Combat for 50 bucks.
BJ’s book is decent – simple techniques, good pictures and descriptions. Most of the gracie books are good, too. Here’s a freebie:
look on youtube for Submissions101. They have some excellent, simple videos for individual techniques, both gi and no-gi. They also show Eddie Bravo’s seminars and tactics clips, so it’s great for the grappling aspect. I haven’t found a collection of Muay Thai or striking clips that’s that comprehensive but there are lots of individual ones with good training footage if you search a little.
And whatever book or vid you decide on check Amazon.com first. You’ll save a LOT buying them used, even with shipping. I get 95% of my Martial Arts books from there.
I can recommend Mark Hatmaker series of NHB fighting.
they are little black and white books that illustrate the core moves. go with that, reality is, the way anderson silva, Fedor and Bas Rutten punch and kick isnt that different, and small differences are due to personal style, and it is unwise to try to learn a style.
instead use those books to develop a good core amount of skill and create your own style and strategies based on YOUR SKILLS.
References :
http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1244752991/ref=sr_nr_i_0?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=mark%20hatmaker&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amark%20hatmaker%2Ci%3Astripbooks
BJ’s book is decent – simple techniques, good pictures and descriptions. Most of the gracie books are good, too. Here’s a freebie:
look on youtube for Submissions101. They have some excellent, simple videos for individual techniques, both gi and no-gi. They also show Eddie Bravo’s seminars and tactics clips, so it’s great for the grappling aspect. I haven’t found a collection of Muay Thai or striking clips that’s that comprehensive but there are lots of individual ones with good training footage if you search a little.
And whatever book or vid you decide on check Amazon.com first. You’ll save a LOT buying them used, even with shipping. I get 95% of my Martial Arts books from there.
References :
Bas Rutten Big Book of Combat Volume 1 & 2. I think he even has DVD’s now to go with the books, not sure though.
And Anderson Silva’s book on Striking.
Nogueira’s Book on The Guard- is a very good book to increase the effectiveness of your brazilian jiu jitsu guard, great submissions in combinations. Not a regular BJJ book where it shows random techniques, this book strings the techniques together based on the opponents reactions, and movements.
Books and DVDs are great for beginners but if you want to get really good you need the hands on instruction from a professional. I learned BJJ for a few years out of a book, and was pretty good. But as soon as I started training with Team Nogueira, I was simply a beginner compared to the guys i train with.
References :
BJ Penn’s "MMA Book of Knowledge" is probably the best complete MMA book I’ve seen.
"The Fighter’s Notebook" by Kirik Jenness is expensive and a bit dated, but has a lot of info.
Bas actually has two BBOC: the first volume is striking, the second is grappling.
Mark Hatmaker’s books are cheap and probably the best bang for your buck, although they come in several separate volumes. I’d highly recommend his conditioning book, his first book on grappling ("NHB: Submission Wrestling"), his clinch book, and his "Savage Strikes" book. He’s also got a really good boxing book, a good takedown book, and book called "Killer Submissions" that is on flowing from one submission to another.
Besides BJ’s book, the other books from Victory Belt are pretty good, too. In order, I’d recommend:
"Mastering the Rubber Guard"-Eddie Bravo
"Wrestling for Fighting"-Randy Couture
"Fedor"-Fedor
"The Guard"-Nogueira
"MMA Striking"-A. Silva
Rodrigo Gracie also has an MMA book out, based on BJJ. It’s basically how to use BJJ for MMA, so it’s a bit weak with striking and takedowns, but if you’ve got a good base in BJJ it might make the transition easier.
"Mastering Jujitsu" by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher is more on the tactics of MMA. I can’t recommend it enough. Once you understand the strategy, it’ll make your tactics easier to pull off.
For videos, the "Saddle" by Scott Sonnon is a great leglock DVD. "Lost Art of Hooking" is a catch-wrestling approach to grappling by Tony Cecchine. Hatmaker’s videos, such as "Busting the Legs" on guard breaking, "Armor Plated" on defensive skills, and "Clean Sweeps" on guard sweeps are pretty good. A few years ago, Century put out a "Learn to Fight and Win" series of DVD’s, featuring six DVD’s each of Pat Miletich, Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Frank Shamrock, and Jens Pulver. You can mix and match those, but I like Henderson’s clinch DVD.
Really, your bare bones material should be Hatmaker’s conditioning book, Penn’s MMA book, and "Mastering Jujitsu".
References :
Hi, please excuse my english is bad. I just started train in bjj and mma, How can eye get a knock out always 100%?