Age

[Tez]

At what age do you think people should start competing in MMA, is it feasible to have children competing under amateur rules? I have a couple of talented 7 year olds, as well as other children who love sparring, who will go far if they stick it out but it's a very long wait for them to get to an age they can actually compete.Time goes very slowly when you're that young!
Could we set up a small competition with other clubs who teach children where it would be fun and a good learning experience ( and the rest of us can feel very old lol).

A youth tournament would be good too and could take the sting out of criticisms about the sport for youngsters.

[Leigh]

I personally don't think children under 18 years should be competing in MMA. The non-head contact stuff is ok but you can't have kids g'n'p'ing each other. Kickboxing, wrestling, judo compsetc I think are all fine for under 18s and would set them in good stead. Also, training it is ok as long as it is done responsibly

[steve_langford]

under 16's - No head shots full stop
16-18 - head shots standing
18+ - Full on , blood producing , bone breaking , adrenalin pumping MMA :p

[D-TEC]

under 16's - No head shots full stop
16-18 - head shots standing
18+ - Full on , blood producing , bone breaking , adrenalin pumping MMA :p


But Steve that would bugger up the guys who are mid 20's bodybuilders that just want to do belly shots!

[steve_langford]

But Steve that would bugger up the guys who are mid 20's bodybuilders that just want to do belly shots!

LMAO

I know the type..........

[boxingbrit]

At what age do you think people should start competing in MMA,

I think you're just about old enough now Tez if you feel ready:).

[Blackcountrycombat]

Tez 7yr Old Is Waayyyyyyyyy 2 Young!!!

[Luke]

Tez 7yr Old Is Waayyyyyyyyy 2 Young!!!

Gotta learn sometime! ;)

Really though, we had an 8 year old kid training with us, and he seemed a bit young but he did alright. I don't see why not as long as if they're strictly monitored and I think headpads/shinguards etc should be mandatory.

[Reedy]

Im not 100 % sure but i dont even think that under 16s in Judo can use arms bars or chokes in comps. i may be wrong.

[Luke]

Im not 100 % sure but i dont even think that under 16s in Judo can use arms bars or chokes in comps. i may be wrong.

FUCK THE KIDS... Armbar or die!

[Tez]

Boxingbrit luv ya!
In karate and kickboxing there's headshots at a very early age, it may be supposed to be points scoring or semi contact but young children only have one speed when sparring..full steam ahead! What I would think of as suitable for children is strictly no head shots at all, proper supervision, shin pads etc.
You can walk into any sportscentre where theres a TMA class and see kids sparring away punching each other, I've seen 10yr olds sent flyng by headkicks before now and no one thinks anything of it so it would be nice to get acceptance for MMA in the same way.
How many people here teach/train children?

[Luke]

We were training kids, or at least 1 kid and I tell ya..there's nothing like the snap of a small childs limb when you're armbarring them ...haaaaah no serious, Im surprised at the advancedment this kid went through after a year training with us... thign is. Kids have potential. Get 'em in in the comp.

[Tez]

We were training kids, or at least 1 kid and I tell ya..there's nothing like the snap of a small childs limb when you're armbarring them ...haaaaah no serious, Im surprised at the advancedment this kid went through after a year training with us... thign is. Kids have potential. Get 'em in in the comp.


It's even better when they break your arm lol! :D

Handled right ( if that's a phrase I can use lol) a kids programme would be very good for the sport, good publicity and very good for the future when the 'young' fighters we have now are old... in a year or two rofl!

[dirty dick]

I have very mixed feelings in relation to kids & MMA, but my feelings come about on 2 different levels.
Firstly i think a youth competition isn't a bad idea. It gives kids a chance to be competitive and gain experience for coming into adulthood. I would encourage any event to be well refereed and possibly have 1 x 3 minute round with the rules being no head shots on the ground and submission points awarded for position of the submission but not necessarily applied (not automatically ending match). However, i strongly agree with Leigh - kids can compete in wrestling, judo, thai, boxing etc at a higher level which would advance their skills.
The Main reason i am against kids in MMA as outlined lengthily in another thread is the lack of policy proceedure, knowledge and awareness in relation to Child Protection. No statutory CRB for coaches, No compulsory CP awareness training for coaches. Until these items are mandatory - and they wont be due to no governing body! Then i personally would not allow my children (if i had them) to attend MMA classes. IMO mma would be a great sport to get into if you were a potential paedophile wishing to have unregulated access to children.

[DianeB]

The Main reason i am against kids in MMA as outlined lengthily in another thread is the lack of policy proceedure, knowledge and awareness in relation to Child Protection. No statutory CRB for coaches, No compulsory CP awareness training for coaches. Until these items are mandatory - and they wont be due to no governing body! Then i personally would not allow my children (if i had them) to attend MMA classes. IMO mma would be a great sport to get into if you were a potential paedophile wishing to have unregulated access to children.

This isn't strictly true. These days the majority of people are aware of the issues & risks surrounding children. If only for their own protection & as a reassurance for the parents, the majority of coaches that run childrens classes have done the courses (I think). At least the coaches I know that teach childrens classes have. Personally i've attended the 'child protection' courses, i'm a qualified first aider & i have an enhanced CRB certificate. Maybe i should become a coach :p

I think it's ok for 7 year olds to compete but only at interclub level. No headshots & when it goes to the ground, no submission just going for the pin.

[dirty dick]

I would like to think this is the case, however i fear greatly that it is not. The reasons you give i wholly concur with, however i feel that many coaches haven't invested in accessing a CP course (many i guess havent thought about it or know where to access them unless affiliated to a TMA NGB)

[Tez]

Good points from everyone. The children we teach do TMA's, Tang Soo Do and Judo and spar in each separately, the club instructors are insured and CRB checked plus we have Public Liability insurance. I can see the problems from an MMA point of view, the courses (coaching,reffing, CP etc) we have available to us are though the TMA organisations while as has been said, there's no equivalent in MMA.
The thing we have, with one in particular, is that the children very much want to do it all in one. We don't let them at the moment but while I'm not sure about actual 'MMA' classes for children it would be good to get more young people, teenagers into MMA. We have no problem getting children into classes it's keeping them once they hit their teens and find other interests as the hormones kick in!
The one child we have who really wants to be a fighter is 7 and is extremely talented, he's going for leg and ankle locks, chokes etc that he hasn't been taught yet but seems to know instinctively. There's no other children who are at his standard and he's frustrated bless him. However we're extremely protective of him and if he sticks to it he won't be fighting in MMA for a long while yet but when he is watch out lol!

[AnnaH]

We teach a kids MMA class once a week ages range from 7 onwards all padded up and no head contact and they absolutely love it.

[Bear]

:confused: I have seen Under,16'S Taking part at a BJJ comp.
If kids are happy to fight Why not. You could Shorten round times....

[Leigh]

If kids are happy to fight Why not.

Are you serious? Do you believe children should be allowed to do whatever they are happy to?

[James Saville]

well befor eis atrted mma , i was out and about juts looking for fights been a total dick head.

then when i started i sort of didnt do that anymore , and stopped been a trouble maker , and put all my wanting to hurt people and energy inot mma.

besides i didnit have time to g out with friends and light fires , i wa training

[Bear]

Are you serious? Do you believe children should be allowed to do whatever they are happy to?

Leigh What i am Saying is I have seen under 16's Taking part in a BJJ Comp.
My point is they still put on Arm bars holds etc... So an under 16 MMA Fight Is just a Grappling match realy but with out Gi........ :p

[Leigh]

Yeah, I agree with you. I just think that letting the kids decide that its ok is a bit irresponsible. But I think I got the wrong end of the stick on your post

[Duchman]

My kid wont ever fight... Whats the fucking point of it.. Learn them to be good at soccer or tennis... Not something which messes with your body and brain.

[Tez]

My kid wont ever fight... Whats the fucking point of it.. Learn them to be good at soccer or tennis... Not something which messes with your body and brain.

The thing about kids though is they always make their own choices when they are old enough. We might intend that they are going to be doctors or lawyers etc but they rarely have the same ambitions as you do!
Fighting is alot better though than some choices like drugs.

Our talented 7 year old Joe is a mini Leigh, he even looks like him, mmm! He's seen videos of Leigh fighting and def tries to copy him lol! :D

[Duchman]

The thing about kids though is they always make their own choices when they are old enough. We might intend that they are going to be doctors or lawyers etc but they rarely have the same ambitions as you do!
Fighting is alot better though than some choices like drugs.

Our talented 7 year old Joe is a mini Leigh, he even looks like him, mmm! He's seen videos of Leigh fighting and def tries to copy him lol! :D

Fighting will often lead to drugs.

[Bear]

Yeah, I agree with you. I just think that letting the kids decide that its ok is a bit irresponsible. But I think I got the wrong end of the stick on your post
Leigh ok may be i could explained things better............:D

[highlander1980]

Im not 100 % sure but i dont even think that under 16s in Judo can use arms bars or chokes in comps. i may be wrong.

Part correct, You fight as a senior when you get to 16 which then means that you are fighting men with full rules. However you are allowed to enter senior comps when you are 14 so if you want to step up you can.
In europe they start subs at 14.
I wouldn't teach a sub to an under 12 but if they are taught right i think they can be introduced at 12 ish.

As for MMA, It would be a hard call i wouldn't put a 7 yo in a fight but maybe a grappling match with no subs.

[MikeyL]

Are we talking about what age it is ok to compete or what kids can be taught?

Personally I cant see ther harm kids having a ranked comp in their training as the trainer can set the rules, make sure everything is best for his students etc.

I dont think kids should be taught subs till they are at least 15-16 or some kid will end up neck cranking the fuck out of someone in the playground. I like the idea that positions should be taught and points awarded for pulling them off though.

Definetly no head shots will they are 16.

[KidKimura]

I don't see a problem with it, as long as it was no head shots and no striking on the ground, so it would just be combining kids rules kickboxing with a grappling comp. Its more the atmosphere that they compete in thats important

[Jogs D]

This is quite a controversial topic.
If you search on youtube there are videos of very young kids doing full-on MMA in the States, which I don't think is very responsible at all.

I'm also wary of kids learning subs - my feeling is that at their age their joints are still developing and repeated subs may cause problems long-term. Also there's the risk of kids using subs in the playground at school and causing serious injury....

I think the best format for kids MMA would be an amateur format - no headshots at all on the feet or the ground. On the ground the points are scored as per BJJ rules - no submissions allowed. Once kids develop their abilities in this format it wouldn't take much to add in submissions/headshots.....

[andyt1992]

I personally don't think children under 18 years should be competing in MMA. The non-head contact stuff is ok but you can't have kids g'n'p'ing each other. Kickboxing, wrestling, judo compsetc I think are all fine for under 18s and would set them in good stead. Also, training it is ok as long as it is done responsibly
I'm almost 16, 6ft5in and 81kg. Do you not think i should be able to fight mma rules??

[Rosi]

I'm almost 16, 6ft5in and 81kg. Do you not think i should be able to fight mma rules??

What's the hurry?

[andyt1992]

What's the hurry?
There isn't one but im the same size if not taller than most men

[Rosi]

There isn't one but im the same size if not taller than most men

True, but not really the point. It's more to do with (a) the fact that you're still growing; (b) having kids G&Ping each other is easy ammunition for people who don't like MMA; (c) same reason you have age limits on things like smoking, getting married or having a tattoo. Exactly where you put that age limit is open to debate, but most people agree that there should be one.

[mohawk]

i think their should be a cap on any type of pro for competitors, im 17 and have been training in mma since i was 15 and like james said its stopped me getting into trouble and what not...

if you look at joe stevenson, had his first pro fight at 16. i do think they should be able to compete no head shots when their younger tho, also shortening (sp) of rounds is a good idea aswell

[andyt1992]

True, but not really the point. It's more to do with (a) the fact that you're still growing; (b) having kids G&Ping each other is easy ammunition for people who don't like MMA; (c) same reason you have age limits on things like smoking, getting married or having a tattoo. Exactly where you put that age limit is open to debate, but most people agree that there should be one.

some 28 year olds dont have kids yet and still take part in mma, also what dya mean by groud and pound is easy ammunition for people who dont like mma?

[Rosi]

some 28 year olds dont have kids yet and still take part in mma

Not sure what your point is.....?


what dya mean by groud and pound is easy ammunition for people who dont like mma?

To those people who still think MMA is barbaric and should be banned (and yes, there are still plenty of them out there), it is much easier to argue the case for consenting adults taking part than it is for juniors. As soon as you have under 18s doing pro rules MMA, especially with G&P, it raises a whole bunch of issues in many people's minds.

I know that there have been events that have successfully incorporated under 18s, and good luck to them. I'm sure they've looked into the insurance and legal implications. It's not something I'd personally advocate though. I can see the arguments for and against.

As I said before, what's the hurry? There are a whole bunch of things that go along with fighting which just aren't particularly healthy for anyone, especially not someone who's body and brain are still developing (weight cutting, for example). At 15, there are enough stresses on your body already without adding those of pro MMA. Take your time, learn the skills, do grappling competitions, wrestling, kickboxing. Concentrate on laying good foundations rather than jumping straight in at the deep end.

Just my opinion, of course, but that's the advice I'd give someone.

[bigleeroy1]

some 28 year olds dont have kids yet and still take part in mma, also what dya mean by groud and pound is easy ammunition for people who dont like mma?

i cant be arsed being clever tonight i will leave that to rosi.

i will just tell you to shut your mouth.

maybe your attitude is not suited to this sport.

[andyt1992]

i cant be arsed being clever tonight i will leave that to rosi.

i will just tell you to shut your mouth.

maybe your attitude is not suited to this sport.

i didnt mean to come across that way mate i just feel that this age thing is unfair.
i think that if a 7 year old kid has his mind set on fighting and knows the dangers and still wants to do it let him go for it, it will keep him out of trouble in the future and teach him discipline but i do think no headshots until atleast 16.

[andyt1992]

To those people who still think MMA is barbaric and should be banned (and yes, there are still plenty of them out there), it is much easier to argue the case for consenting adults taking part than it is for juniors. As soon as you have under 18s doing pro rules MMA, especially with G&P, it raises a whole bunch of issues in many people's minds.

I know that there have been events that have successfully incorporated under 18s, and good luck to them. I'm sure they've looked into the insurance and legal implications. It's not something I'd personally advocate though. I can see the arguments for and against.

As I said before, what's the hurry? There are a whole bunch of things that go along with fighting which just aren't particularly healthy for anyone, especially not someone who's body and brain are still developing (weight cutting, for example). At 15, there are enough stresses on your body already without adding those of pro MMA. Take your time, learn the skills, do grappling competitions, wrestling, kickboxing. Concentrate on laying good foundations rather than jumping straight in at the deep end.

Just my opinion, of course, but that's the advice I'd give someone.

good advice and i understand the G&P thing now when my mum came in when i was watchin mma on tv and when someone was G&Ping was like thats disgusting why do you wana do that. so thanks pal.

[Rosi]

i think that if a 7 year old kid has his mind set on fighting and knows the dangers and still wants to do it let him go for it, it will keep him out of trouble in the future and teach him discipline but i do think no headshots until atleast 16.

I've no problem with kids training, or doing limited rules competitions (I think at least in the current situation though, they'd probably be better off doing another combat sport - judo, wrestling, BJJ etc. - if only because more kids do it and the standard of competition will be higher)

Aside from the headshots, my only other issue would be joint locks / submissions - they're not good for developing joints. Judo leave them out for juniors for a reason. I don't think it's impossible to include submissions, but you'd have to allow the referee to step in and stop the match if one fighter clearly had a submission on without necessarily waiting for the other to tap.

I don't know enough about the medical side of it to argue one way or the other for 16 or 18 on the headshots. I'm not sure that's something you'll get a straight answer on from anyone though, so it's understandable if people tend to err on the side of caution.

Life always seems unfair when you're a teenager and people tell you you can't do something until you're older. Two years seems like forever, but it really isn't.

Lol... I can just see myself having this conversation with someone in a few years time...

[andyt1992]

I've no problem with kids training, or doing limited rules competitions (I think at least in the current situation though, they'd probably be better off doing another combat sport - judo, wrestling, BJJ etc. - if only because more kids do it and the standard of competition will be higher)

Aside from the headshots, my only other issue would be joint locks / submissions - they're not good for developing joints. Judo leave them out for juniors for a reason. I don't think it's impossible to include submissions, but you'd have to allow the referee to step in and stop the match if one fighter clearly had a submission on without necessarily waiting for the other to tap.

I don't know enough about the medical side of it to argue one way or the other for 16 or 18 on the headshots. I'm not sure that's something you'll get a straight answer on from anyone though, so it's understandable if people tend to err on the side of caution.

Life always seems unfair when you're a teenager and people tell you you can't do something until you're older. Two years seems like forever, but it really isn't.

Lol... I can just see myself having this conversation with someone in a few years time...

that was a very good explanation and i agree with you on the joint locks and subs issue i have also realised that there isn't a definate answer to what age and rules should be used so its just personal preference and at the parents and clubs disgression.