Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

Fun affordable martial arts for kids

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Karate Success Stories
  • Why Karate?
  • Why Us?
  • Locations
  • Galleries
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

COVIDSAFE SCHOOL

Copyright © 2009 to 2021 Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate

Home » Blog » Inspired by MMA: The Sensei is Still Learning

Inspired by MMA: The Sensei is Still Learning

April 21, 2011 By Sensei Matt Klein

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 Google+ 0 Pin It Share 0 StumbleUpon 0 LinkedIn 0 Filament.io 0 Flares ×
Royce Gracie in MMA competition

Royce Gracie showed the MMA world the power of jujitsu in the first of the Ultimate Fighting Competitions

Royce Gracie started it all in MMA.

In the mid 1990’s I sat gobsmacked as a 180-pound jujitsu expert named Royce Gracie outlasted and outmaneuvered hulking 250-pound men and won the Ultimate Fight Competition (UFC), the first of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournaments. I was inspired.

Very soon after, I found myself in jujitsu classes being manhandled on the mat by guys much smaller than me. Even as an ex-high school wrestler, on the ground I was putty in their hands. I saw firsthand how skill and technique trump size and power in this great equaliser of martial arts combat, jujitsu. I was sold.

By 2000 we were teaching chokes, arm bars, and takedowns in our schools in Sydney, and in time added over 150 grappling and jujitsu techniques to our syllabus. Boxing and kickboxing techniques also featured heavily in our training along with traditional American Kenpo Karate.

All roads lead to the present.

Australia’s first Ultimate Fighting Competition, UFC 110 in Sydney’s Acer Arena, sold out in less than a day. UFC 127, also at the Acer Arena, sold out in 30 minutes. I attended both events and was extremely impressed by the level of competition and fan engagement. What impressed me most was the overall skill of the fighters. Since the first UFC, stand-up fighters have turned the tables by mastering enough skills on the ground to neutralise the grapplers. By 2011 the best fighters in the UFC were all-rounders. Once again, I was inspired.

We recently introduced MMA classes. Not if, but when MMA becomes mainstream in Australia as it has in the US, we will be ready. We will ride this tsunami, not be overcome by it.

The lesson in this.

Keep your eyes open to what is happening around you. Be open to change. This world is changing more rapidly than we can comprehend. Stay tuned and never stop learning new things about your chosen field. You never know when it will come in handy.

Are you inspired by what is happening in MMA? Are you still learning?

0 Flares Twitter 0 Facebook 0 Google+ 0 Pin It Share 0 StumbleUpon 0 LinkedIn 0 Filament.io 0 Flares ×

Filed Under: MMA

Comments

  1. Jamie Hayward says

    April 27, 2011 at 2:34 am

    Really enjoyable article. I’m just reading Bruce Lee’s The Tao of Jeet Kune Do and it talks about this kind of constant reviewing and adapting of what we do in martial arts. Where I train we include a bit of ground work as it is so important to respect the past but embrace the new.

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    April 27, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    Hi Jamie. Thanks for your vote of confidence. Yes, Bruce Lee was way ahead of his time. I believe ground work is so important, but equally important is the art that has evolved over such a long time, and this adaptation is what makes it better.

Trackbacks

  1. Martial Arts News – 4.24.11 | Striking Thoughts says:
    April 24, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    […] Sensei Klein offers some martial arts advice than can apply to anyone. Keep your eyes open to what is happening around you. Be open to change. […]

Testimonials

Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
Yogendra Joshi, father of Mihir JoshiImage
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

Sensei Matt’s Blog Topics

  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Bullying and Self Defence for Kids
  • For the Martial Artist
  • For the Martial Arts Instructor
  • Kenpo
  • Martial Arts Movies for Kids
  • Martial Arts Resources for Parents
  • MMA
  • Online Kids Karate
  • Sensei Matt Klein's Guest Posts
  • Stranger Danger
  • Teaching Martial Arts to Kids
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Coronavirus Measures
  • 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Recent Comments

  • Sensei Matt Klein on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Russell Henderson on All Schools Closing Due to Coronavirus
  • Sensei Matt Klein on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Mick Parker on 17 Things I Learned as a Blue Belt In BJJ
  • Sensei Matt Klein on Teaching Children Martial Arts: Silent Stretches as a Powerful Tool

Friends

  • Just A Thought
  • Kid Town Sydney
  • My journey to black belt
  • My Self Defense Blog
  • TDA Training
  • The Kids' Karate Workbook