From the Original Mixed Martial Art to the Modern Sport of MMA

Always a Fan of the Sport

I remember watching my first MMA event (Ultimate Fighting Championship – UFC 3: The American Dream) on September 9, 1994.

Yeah, I know what some of you youngsters are probably thinking, “Man, he must be old. I didn’t know the UFC has been around that long.”

For the hardcore MMA faithful, those were days.

Those were the days because there were no:
• weight classes or weight limits,
• time limit or rounds,
• judges

The fighters that night included Keith Hackney, Emmanuel Yarborough, Ken Shamrock, Christopher Leininger, Harold Howard, Roland Payne, Royce Gracie, and Kimo Leopoldo.

In the quarterfinals, Hackney defeated Yarborough, Shamrock defeated Leininger, Howard defeated Payne, and Gracie defeated Leopoldo.

In the semi-finals, Shamrock defeated Mitchell who was a replacement for Hackney who could not continue due to injury and Howard defeated Gracie who forfeited due to fatigue.

In the finals, Steve Jennum defeated Harold Howard. Jennum was a replacement for Shamrock who withdrew due to injury.

Style may not be the right choice of word here.

But what I mean by style is training system.

I have NOT always been a fan of MMA as a martial arts training system.

For years, I felt this way for two primary reasons.

First, in my mind, sport mixed martial arts just doesn’t offer the same degree of three-dimensional – mind, body, spirit – personal growth and development that conventional martial arts offers.

Second, in my mind, the rise in popularity of mixed martial arts training diminishes the number of people training in conventional martial systems. In my mind, this is tragic because many of these systems are cultural arts that have been preserved for generations. I fear that one day some of these cultural arts will be lost forever.

During a conversation with my teacher, Guro / Sifu Cass Magda, I learned that a fellow Magda Institute Association instructor, Sifu Chris Hoy, had made some T-shirts that proclaimed: Jeet Kune Do – The Original Mixed Martial Art.

I immediately thought about two things – truth and brilliance.

With regard to truth, Bruce Lee’s art of Jeet Kune Do drew on his personal research and experimentation and allowed him to develop training that covered various aspects of fighting to include punching, kicking, trapping and grappling.

While there are many other martial arts that certainly contain training that covers the various aspects of fighting, I truly believe that Bruce’s JKD was the original mixed martial art because of the way he studied elements of other arts and then seamlessly perfected those elements within the JKD structure.

In my mind, this is an important point because Jeet Kune Do is NOT merely a bunch of techniques from a variety of arts thrown together.

In regards to brilliance, proclaiming Jeet Kune Do the original mixed martial art is smart marketing. In today’s MMA-dominated martial arts marketplace, setting yourself apart is a necessity.

Despite resisting the ever-growing tsunami that is MMA for years, I have finally succumbed to the powerful wave; well at least partially.

I have finally succumbed for three primary reasons.

The first is very simple – demand. This demand is external and internal. Externally, the masses think they want MMA. I say “think” because once most people discover the harsh reality of sport mixed martial arts they will likely discover it is not for them. Internally, some of our students have expressed an interest.

The next reason is also very simple. We have much to offer. For starters, one of the systems that we teach – Jeet Kune Do – is the original mixed martial art. Next, we have the expertise to develop very high-level striking skills. Lastly, we have the requisite curriculum development skills to create a solid set of ground skills.

The last reason is a bit more complex. Since I fear mixed martial arts may result in the extinction of some cultural arts, it is my burning desire to educate and preserve the cultural arts that we offer – Kali, Muay Thai, Silat, and Wing Chun Gung Fu.

It is my sincere hope that by offering an MMA program as an introduction to our high-performance Institute, we will be able to expose our mixed martial arts students to our outstanding cultural curriculum and get them hooked on our cultural arts.

Recall from earlier that I finally succumbed, but only partially.

The Hebb Institute of Martial Arts prides itself on its patented Phase Curriculum and its highly coveted Cultural Curriculum. In short, we are a martial arts Institute of higher learning and a super-charged vehicle for personal growth and development NOT an MMA school.

With that in mind, you must remember that we are a martial arts Institute that offers an MMA program – and NOT an MMA school – that includes coaching, seminars, and training.

We provide coaching for mixed martial artists who want to compete. As your coach, we will prepare you for your chosen competition.

We offer MMA seminars that relate to the big four mainstays of today’s mixed martial arts game – boxing, Thai boxing, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling.

We offer mixed martial arts training that focuses on developing stand-up and ground skills. Stand-up skills are developed with boxing and Thai boxing drills. Ground skills are developed with jiu-jitsu and wrestling drills.

In keeping with our stringent fitness expectations and the fitness requirement dictated by MMA, we offer second-to-none strength and conditioning services as well.

We are proud to offer the Battling Ropes System, as well as Hardstyle Kettlebell and TRX training.

These systems are ALL elite athletic warrior systems!

You will find them being used by:

• Elite athletes,
• Elite military groups, and
• Professional mixed martial arts superstars

Furthermore, these systems – like the attributes they develop – are game-changers!

Our strength and conditioning coach has the degree, certifications, and experience to take your strength and conditioning to the next level.

In short, he can change your game.

While we readily recognize that you certainly have some other options when it comes to MMA training, we are wholly confident that our mixed martial arts program is THE choice for those individuals seeking to develop a feared striking arsenal and a solid, well-developed ground game.

The structure of our MMA curriculum is the same as our Phase and Cultural curricula. In other words, it is a ten-level structure. Regardless of your background, your training begins with Beginning Phase 1.

While we know that this requirement may result in some individuals opting to go elsewhere, we will not waver on this point. We will not waver for two primary reasons – mindset and approach.

With regards to mindset, we want individuals who are willing to empty their cups and to begin fresh. We want individuals who seek substance over style. We want individuals who are committed for the long-haul.

In terms of approach, our methodology embraces the notion that fundamentals are the building blocks of the foundation that supports high performance martial arts. Our progressive, ten-level structure recognizes and adheres to this notion. So, our students MUST begin with OUR fundamentals!

If you share our mindset and accept our methodology, then you will likely agree that we are THE choice for MMA training in the 4-state area of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.

If you’re close to Hagerstown, Maryland; Greencastle, Pennsylvania; Martinsburg, West Virginia; Winchester, Virginia; or any of the surrounding areas, then you should contact us.

Return from MMA to Hebb Institute of Martial Arts