Training camps is what molds and builds the character, discipline and the fighting skills of mixed martial artists. It is the backbone of the MMA. Even if mixed martial arts is considered as an individual sport, fighters are not born, they are honed and created with the help of high-level techniques, something they will need to be able to face against a contemporary, in front of thousands of fans.
Here are 5 of the top MMA camps at present who has managed to create a roster of champions and incomparable athletes under its belt.
Jackson-Wink MMA
The Jackson Wink camp happens to be in a place where the long tradition of combat sports excellence exist. Lead by Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn, they have managed to balance it out perfectly creating superb game plans and have been very keen in disciplining the biggest egos of the talents inside their stable.
Some of the exemplary fighters under their roster include Jon Jones, Cerrone, Andrei Arlovski, Alistair Overeem, Cub Swanson, Holly Holm and Michelle Waterson. They are already expanding their facilities and improving living facilities while honing their craft to remain in the top spot of facilities for MMA athletes.
Nova Uniao
The history of the fighting camp goes as far as when BJ Penn won his mundials fold medal in 2000 while working under the mentorship of Andre Pederneiras in Rio de Janiero. Some of the mainstays in the camp includes Renan Barao, Eduardo Dantas, Jussier Da Silva, Thales Leites, Hacran Dias, Claudia Gadelha and Junior dos Santos.
The camp is known for its high-level competitive training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, grappling, wrestling and kickboxing. The arsenal is considered as one of the top most MMA camps in history.
American Top Team
One of the most accomplished teams in the MMA. However, even with a roster of stellar athletes under its stable, the camp has never won a UFC title, up until Robbie Lawler won against Johny Hendricks.
The team is led by Ricardo Liborio, Dan Lambert and Marcus Silveria. The gym has also managed to expand into a full-service facility offering classes to both professional athletes and hobbyist. Some of the premier fighters under the camp include Jorge Santiago, Thiago Alves, Gleison Tibau and Mike Borwn.
American Kickboxing Academy
Lead trainers in the camp include Javier Marquez and Bob Cool and are the home base of popular MMA artists like BJ Penn, Josh Thompson, Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck and Mike Swick.
Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold and Khabib Nurmgomedov are just a few of the names fighting under the American Kickboxing Academy.
The gym is known for its strength in training Wrestling, with two team captains who were former freestyle Olympians. Brutal pressure and solid striking techniques is what the gym is also best known for.
Tristar Gym
Firas Zahabi, the head coach of the camp is considered as the sharpest trainer in the MMA today. He has a capability of teaching techniques and developing smart game plans that will help athletes in giving their A- game in a fight, giving them an edge against their opponents.
Tristar Gym is known for molding athletes to develop the best skills and fighting techniques that will work best against the techniques that their opponent possess. Georges St. Pierre, Rory MacDonald and Kenny Florian are just some of the best fighters that emerged from this camp.
The success of an MMA fighter does not only rely in the talent of an athlete alone. It takes a lot of strength conditioning, drills, sparring and sessions to be able to hone and perfect the technique of a skilled fighter. This is why training camps are very essential in the success or failure of an MMA athlete.