Posts by Ethan Hayes6

Arthur Rogers95 said:hey. sorry if this was already asked, but are there different kinds of combat sports in the area or is it just savate/kickboxing? if any local who actually knows the scene is around, hit me up. basically looking for mma/krav maga/jiu jitsu. thanks in advance 😉

MMA went down in Sracin and Kneginc—not sure what the current situation is right now... just hit up this number and ask: 091 2633210. It's Martin.

Daniel Smith4 said:

I suppose I should probably address this, though I’m not entirely sure if anyone is actually listening—not that it matters much, I guess. There’s been a lot of noise lately, just constant, aimless chatter about things that don't even touch the core of what we're discussing here. It feels like everyone is just shouting into the void, hoping for some kind of validation, while the actual substance gets buried under layers of unnecessary drama. Maybe I'm being too cynical—perhaps I am—but it seems to me that the depth of conversation has plummeted quite significantly. It’s all very superficial, isn't it? Just a series of loud, empty gestures that don't really lead anywhere. I find myself wondering why we even bother engaging if the goal is merely to be heard rather than to actually understand. But then again, maybe that's just how things work now. I can't say I'm particularly surprised, even if I am a bit disappointed. kaže:
I suppose you’re asking about a combination? Or maybe—and I’m just speculating here—you’re looking for some kind of specific pairing or tactical setup? It's a bit vague, isn't it? If we are talking about techniques, or perhaps a certain way of blending elements together to get a desired result, there are endless ways to approach it. I guess it really depends on what you're aiming for in the end. Maybe you have something specific in mind, though I can't be sure without more context.
So, if you're looking at the layout around here—specifically over in the New Jersey suburbs—you've basically got two solid MMA gyms to choose from, but then you also have that Krav Maga school over by the convention center. I guess it really just depends on what kind of training you're actually after.

That’s all I have to say regarding New Chicago—or whatever else I happen to know about it.

So, here’s the deal— I took a look at that UFC Crows site—http://www.ufc-crows.com/—and I have to say, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, isn't it? I went in expecting maybe some deep dives into MMA matchups or perhaps some structured analysis on upcoming fights, but what I found was… well, let's just call it "unrefined." It feels like one of those passion projects where someone clearly loves the sport—and I mean really loves it—but the actual execution is a little scattered. It lacks that polished, professional sheen you'd expect from a major US sports outlet like ESPN or even a dedicated niche site like MMA Fighting. The layout is a bit clunky, which might be a stylistic choice, I suppose, but it definitely makes navigating the content feel more like a chore than an experience. There’s a certain raw energy there, though. You can tell the contributors aren't just reading off a teleprompter; they actually have opinions. Some of the takes are interesting—maybe a little too hot-headed for my taste at times—but there's a genuine grit to the writing. It reminds me slightly of those old-school hobbyist forums from back in the day, where everyone had a strong stance and nobody was afraid to get loud about a judging decision or a lackluster performance. That said, if they want to move beyond being a niche corner of the internet, they probably need to tighten up the technical side of things. The organization could use some work—everything feels a bit disorganized, almost like a cluttered garage in a suburban basement. If they focused more on cohesive, long-form editorial pieces rather than just jumping from topic to topic, they might actually build a more loyal following. Anyway, it’s worth a click if you're looking for something a little less corporate and a little more "unfiltered," but don't expect a seamless user experience. It’s a rough diamond, I guess—if you can find it under all that clutter.
If you’re looking for some actual, high-level training in Krav Maga, I suppose this site might be worth a look—though, honestly, it depends on what you're actually after. It looks like a hub for various schools and practitioners across the country, which is fine, I guess, if you want to browse through different local options. They seem to cover everything from basic self-defense fundamentals to more advanced tactical stuff—you know, the kind of things people usually go into this for—but I always tell folks to do their homework first. Don't just click a link and assume you've found the holy grail of combat sports. You really need to check out the specific instructors, see where their gyms are located, and maybe even drop in for a session to see if the vibe isn't too intense or, conversely, too soft. It's a decent starting point for research, but—and there's always a "but"—don't take anything at face value. Every gym claims they have the best instructors or the most effective curriculum, so use this as a directory rather than a final verdict. Just my two cents.

And these gentlemen don't even have a website—honestly, I guess it’s just one more thing to add to the list of ways they're failing to keep up. Maybe they think a physical storefront is enough in this day and age, but you know, it's just lazy, really. 😬 I mean, I don't know much about her personally—or maybe I just haven't crossed paths with her—but, hey, she’s on Facebook. That's about all I can say for certain, I guess.
I can’t quite make heads or tails of this link—it looks like a dead end or maybe just a broken Facebook page redirect. I tried clicking through to see if there was some specific insight or a particular post you wanted me to weigh in on, but it’s essentially a digital ghost town. If you were trying to point me toward a specific discussion or a certain organization's profile, could you maybe grab a fresh link? Or even better, just tell me what we're looking at? I'd hate to spend my time chasing shadows when I could be actually engaging with whatever it is you intended to share.

I suppose I should probably ask myself—though I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for in an answer—just how good I actually am. It’s one of those questions that sort of hangs in the air, isn't it? I mean, if you really sit down and weigh everything out—the successes, the inevitable lapses in judgment, the small wins that nobody else really notices—it becomes a bit of a complicated mess to untangle. Maybe I’m doing alright, or maybe I’m just getting better at hiding the flaws, I guess. It’s hard to say for certain without some kind of objective metric, which, let's be honest, doesn't really exist in the real world. ☕

You’re actually being quite kind—I guess I appreciate that, really. It’s not often I get a compliment like that around here, though I suppose I can't take it to the bank. Thanks. 😛 Hey there. So, I was just thinking—someone actually pitched me another option today, which would be the UFK Trešnjevka over on Badalićeva Street. It’s actually pretty close to my school, and honestly, the training schedule fits my timeline perfectly... or at least it seems like it would. Does anyone here happen to have any experience with that club? Maybe some insight into how they run things?

That spot downtown is packed right now—you might catch a break around 8:30, but it's usually a zoo. Same coaches are starting up at the gym near the convention center tomorrow, too.

Keith Davis4 said:There’s zero Jiu-Jitsu in Pula :S. All I found was the stuff I already listed

Check out the MMA at Zelg’s—honestly, it’s basically everything you're looking for!

Angela Barnes6 said:Hey everyone, I could really use some help here!

I have a few questions regarding combat sports. Basically, I’m looking to start something this fall, though I haven't quite made up my mind yet. I live near the Fourth Ward, close to Petro. I used to do some BJJ a few years back, but life happened—college, the commute, just various other nonsense... and I drifted away. I’ve been fascinated by boxing since I was a kid, and lately, watching MMA has made me pretty obsessed with grappling. An old buddy of mine, who trained in Judo and actually knows his stuff, keeps teasing me. He’s been bugging me to start wrestling since I was twelve because his friend runs a famous club, but I wasn't interested back then. Now, he’s telling me that at 25, I’m basically an "old man" for these sports because my joints and bones are already shot or whatever... as if I'm trying to become a professional model or something... anyway:

1. I was thinking about getting into grappling over at but I’d love to hear from anyone with actual experience in grappling or wrestling first. Back when I did BJJ, the Judo throws and those endless rolls absolutely drove me crazy (we'd spend an hour and fifteen minutes just warming up!). If I’m going to be forced to do forward somersaults and all that nonsense again, I might have to pass, even though the idea sounds great.
2. My first alternative was wrestling, but the only two clubs I found were PitBull and UFK Trešnjevka, both over in the Trešnjevka area. That feels way too far for me since I rely heavily on public transit. I’ve never actually taken a bus or train out that way, so maybe it’s not as distant as it seems? I don't know.
3. The third, and most likely, option is boxing. There's Barun down on Sučićeva. Does anyone know what the membership fees are, how many sessions are included, and if they provide gym access? I’ve heard there are some unhappy people training there...
I see a lot of people mentioning Barun Trenk, specifically the facility over on Harambašićeva, but I was under the impression Trenk was located out in the Dubrava district. Did I mix things up, or is there a branch in the Harambašićeva gym? (Is that right near Maximirska or further south past Zvonimir?)
Another option is Lokomotiva over in Crnatkova. So, I'm looking for info on pricing, weekly class frequency, and weight room availability for these three clubs, along with general vibes (crowd size, etc.). Any help is appreciated and any advice is valued—other clubs aren't really an option because most of them are in Dubrava, and I really don't want to head out that way. If there are any gems nearby that I’ve missed (though I doubt it), please let me know.

- Sorry for the long rant, but every time I ask someone in person, they just start complaining about how everything sucks, which probably isn't true. I just need to find a healthy way to burn off this negative energy. Yesterday, I almost—and I mean almost—went full "ghetto blasting" on some bald jerk because he cut into my lane just to make some unnecessary little loop to grab a parking spot, and then he had the nerve to wave and yell through his closed window at me! While I'm standing there by my car, traffic on Ilica is honking like crazy because nobody can move, and I'm yelling at this idiot to pull over and face me if he's got something to say. My girlfriend is in the passenger seat screaming that I'm being a total caveman... man, maybe I should just take up yoga.

Please send any answers or advice via PM so we don't clutter the thread, as I'll probably have more specific questions for the experts.

Thanks a ton!

Up until this season, grappling in "Lika" has pretty much just been Saturday mornings—basically extra training for the competitors from Lika and UFK Trešnjevka. Probably gonna stay that way.
Training at UFK Trešnjevka doesn't necessarily mean an hour and a half of falls, but you gotta realize acrobatics are a huge part of the prep work. You might skip certain things if you're doing individual training or if you're just there for fun/beginner stuff, but even then—there are rules. We don't do acrobatics just to win gymnastics medals; it's about preventing injuries from falls, working on coordination, and building up overall conditioning.

nimblemarlin6 said:I’d love it if an experienced martial artist—maybe someone like Robin Palmer3 could weigh in here: How safe is the neck bridge exercise actually for older practitioners?

Every martial artist does the neck bridge.
It’s totally normal for young students to breeze through it while they’re still in their prime. But the years start adding up—so I’m wondering if older practitioners or martial artists run into health issues given all that accumulated strain from doing the neck bridge over time.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the move we routinely do in training: You’re balancing solely on your head and your feet. Your entire spine—especially the neck—is pushed into maximum extension. Then you rock your body back and forth on your head. Some people even let their nose touch the mat while their full body weight is pressing down on the cervical spine. To a layman—well, to someone like me—it honestly makes my skin crawl just watching how much stress that puts on the neck. I really want to know how safe this move is in the long run.

The real question is—what is an older athlete even trying to get out of a move like that?
If you’ve picked the wrestling bridge as your go-to for specific goals—like flexibility or neck strength—you’ve got to be smart about the methodology.
If you’re dealing with neck weakness or stiffness and this is new territory, you need to focus heavily on mobility for the neck, torso, and your entire body first. Before jumping straight into a head-and-foot balance, you need serious prep work. For older folks or beginners, that means months of solo stretching, partner drills, rolls, and front bridges. You build up that bone and ligament strength before you even think about the full bridge—starting with assistance and slowly moving toward doing it solo.
Don't just mimic the old-timers who crack their necks twice and dive straight into a bridge—that's a recipe for disaster for anyone starting out, especially as we age, unless you're looking for chronic pain or a trip to the ER.
As far as wrestlers go, the repetitions aren't the problem. If anything, the bridge is a fundamental tool for building the stability needed for takedowns and throws. It’s actually a huge injury prevention factor—because a wrestler with a rock-solid bridge has the kind of flexibility and structural strength that protects them during the chaos of a high-intensity match.

restlesspanther3 said:Thinking about starting MMA after summer. Which gyms in the city would you recommend? I know about Crows, Bana, and West Side, but I need the real scoop on their training setups. I’ve got a background in wrestling and Muay Thai, so this feels like the logical next step for me. One more thing—what's the youngest age for amateur fighters in US MMA competitions?

Besides those, you've got Piranha out in Sesvete and the Trešnjevka crew.
Bana's training is solid, but they aren't really big on the amateur MMA scene—they're more focused on pros and combat grappling. Most other gyms actually support the cadets and juniors in amateur bouts. As for age, those cadets are already born in '95.

Robert Chavez55 said:I’m always chatting with my buddies about combat sports, and we’ve hit this wall: apparently, there aren't any gyms in the greater D.C. area—at least none that we know of—that offer regular morning training sessions. It feels like a massive oversight. There are tons of college students hanging around the D.C. metro area who have these huge gaps in their schedules before classes start, and having a place to get some healthy movement in would be a game changer. So, I’m putting it out there: if anyone knows of a gym in the D.C. area that runs morning classes for any kind of martial arts, please drop the info. Thanks.

Just round up a crew and there’s no reason we can't set up a morning slot at our local gym. If you get at least 6 people together, just give us a call at 555-0199.

Brandon Price6 says—honestly, who even cares? Just another day in this mess. kaže:
...
...
So, I was upstairs in the gym for some ping pong—total accident—but ended up drifting down to the ground floor at the local YMCA where they were running judo sessions. Honestly? It actually looked pretty solid... had women training too, and the instructor was top-tier—super serious, organized, and totally pro. Maybe something like that?

???
Did it even cross your mind—maybe that’s actually what you’re looking for?
...and a woman... and an okay coach... and a decent gym... and serious sports!!!!
Or what—you want me to beg for attention?

Rebecca Walker83 said:Seriously, does nobody have any actual info on Shark Gym? Like, they don't even have a website or anything online 😢

Neno 0911423366

Rebecca Walker83 said:How do they split up the weight classes for MMA cadets and juniors? Like, what’s the breakdown? 🤷

Categories.

cadets — 14 to 16 years old.

-do - 132 lbs
Between 132 and 143 lbs—give or take.
Between 143 and 154 lbs—roughly.
Between 155 and 165 lbs—roughly.
Somewhere between 165 and 176 lbs—roughly.
Between 175 and 187 lbs—roughly.
- + 187 lbs — yeah, we're moving.

Juniors — ages 16 to 19.

-do - 143 lbs
Between 143 and 154 lbs—roughly.
Somewhere between 155 and 165 lbs—standard stuff.
Between 165 and 176 lbs—roughly.
Weight range—around 175 to 187 lbs.
Weight range—roughly 187 to 205 lbs.
+93,00 kg — yeah, right. 🙄

senior citizens — 20 years and up

66.00 kg—basically nothing.
Down from 145 lbs to about 154 lbs—steady progress.
Down from 154 lbs to 170 lbs—feeling the difference.
Dropped from 170 to 185 lbs—feeling the difference.
Somewhere between 185 and 205 lbs—give or take.
6. + 205 lbs

briskmarlin59 said:Since I’m getting up there in age (31), I’m looking for some recreational training—something actually useful for life. Been following UFC since day one. Honestly though, the usual stuff like boxing or just pure striking doesn't really do it for me. I'm more interested in Krav Maga, Sambo, or Systema style stuff. Any recommendations?

Come hit a session with us "old timers"... or whatever we call ourselves these days... basically just hobbyists. 🙂
Our local youth sports club has recreational sessions Mon and Fri—mostly just lifting heavy, stretching out, basic UFC, grappling—throws and chokes—and maybe some sparring at the end if you're feeling it.

Nathan Martinez5 said:I actually had a good laugh when I came across that $14 app.
The developer basically just slapped together some graphics with a giant timer and a background effect—nothing fancy:

http://interval-timer.com/images/screen3.jpg

I mean, talk about wasted effort... it’s practically useless since you'll either have your phone sitting on a stand (likely upside down just to reach the speaker) or tucked away in a waistband somewhere.

Anyway, I went ahead and added some presets: Tabata, the 20-10 split, 3-minute boxing rounds, 2-minute and 4-minute intervals, and even a HIIT pyramid—30-45-60-90-60-45-30—with a minute of rest in between (though you can tweak that break if you want).

Does anyone know of any other common interval training formats I should include as a preset?

Grappling and freestyle wrestling—5-minute rounds!

Zachary Mendoza17 said:It’s pretty clear it isn't happening.😂

🙂

Larry Ramos4 said:So, I was scrolling through this forum a while back—can't remember exactly where—and I remember seeing someone break down what an actual MMA training session looks like, but now I’m totally blanking and can't find the thread again... if anyone could be a total legend and drop that info here one more time, I'd really appreciate it!
And, uh, just one more quick thing... does anyone know if there are any decent MMA gyms in a place like San Diego?

Describing a standard MMA workout is tricky since it changes based on the phase—you know, pre-season versus fight camp—and honestly, it depends on whether you're just there for fun, a beginner, or actually stepping into the cage.
At our gym, we've got everyone from hobbyists to guys prepping for amateur MMA and grappling matches. Depending on when the next big tournament is, we shift focus, but usually, we lean heavily into grappling—about 80% of the volume.
Typical session breakdown:
We kick things off with some light jogging and dynamic warm-ups—high knees, jumping jacks, agility drills, maybe some crawling like bear crawls or duck walks, plus stretching and basic acrobatics—stuff like rolls and breakfalls to get moving.
The meat of the training during prep is drilling techniques. It really depends on how crowded the mats are—safety first, obviously—so if it’s packed, we avoid standing takedowns and stick to small groups instead. We'll usually run through 2-3 standing techniques and 2-3 ground moves.
We wrap up with sparring, which is pretty much up to the group—whether they want to go hard standing, ground fighting with strikes, or just pure grappling.
One massive misconception, though: people think MMA fighting and MMA training are the same thing. They aren't!
Most casual guys love the training without ever needing to spar—let alone go full combat. Sure, if you want to actually win fights, you can't skip the sparring and the daily grind, but most weekend warriors aren't trying to show up to their 9-to-5 with a busted eye—unlike the competitors, who deal with bruises and cuts pretty much every week.

Jerry King7 said:Hey! I'm 21 and I’ve been chewing on the idea of getting into MMA training. What can you guys tell me about this gym, UFK TREŠNJEVKA?

The place is kind of a dump—humidity issues, bad heating, sketchy lighting—but honestly? The vibe is great. Training is brutal, it gets crowded, but they offer extra sessions and work with all age groups. Best bet is to just go check it out yourself.

hiddensailor14 said:Moving over from that other thread where things went totally off the rails

😲

What if you just... didn't show up? You’ve got your keys—why not just walk back into the arena next time?
Are you guys even planning to sue them? Seems like there's enough there for a case. What’s the word from the Los Angeles Lakers, USA Basketball, HOO, or anyone else? Did anyone actually have your back?

The keys to the Madison Square Garden are sitting right at the gate. They’re just refusing to hand them over because she ordered it—security is standing right there too. And since we're supposedly all about violence prevention, any kind of aggressive or shady reaction is totally off the table.

Hey sports fans!

VIOLENCE, DRUGS, AND BAD INFLUENCES — THE REAL THREAT
FOR OUR YOUTH

This is probably exactly how the big shots over at Berkshire Hathaway see things!
By banning activities in Arena 8 at Madison Square Garden and cutting off daily training for kids from three different clubs who relied on that space, they’re basically sending a message that pushing kids away from sports just makes them more vulnerable to trouble.
Berkshire Hathaway and Director Pokrajčić apparently decided the easiest way to handle the issues with Arena 8 was to just kick the kids out—completely ignoring the massive amount of work these young athletes put in to grow, develop character, and become people our community can actually be proud of. They didn't give a second thought to the coaches, either, who have spent years trying to keep these kids on the right path instead of letting them slide into bad habits. They didn't even respect the community support and funding these kids received through the "Stop School Violence" project.
Instead of fixing the permit issues for Arena 8, Director Pokrajčić chose to shut down sports for over a hundred kids from Los Angeles Gymnastics, the Chicago Athletic Association, and the New York Knicks, all of whom trained there every single day.
Those three clubs had been using Arena 8 since the previous director, Josip Čorak, was in charge. Under his leadership, Madison Square Garden saw Arena 8 get upgraded with top-tier ventilation, heating, and lighting, along with a brand-new floor—which is actually in great shape, despite some "secret" reasons someone decided it wasn't worth keeping.
The conglomerate invested heavily to support niche sports like wrestling, gymnastics, karate, and taekwondo. Now that Čorak is gone, there’s over a thousand square feet of unfinished space in Madison Square Garden that was supposed to become a breeding ground for young talent under Čorak’s plans. Instead, it’ll probably just stay a storage unit, which seems to be the fate of the newly renovated Arena 8 too.
It’s no surprise coming from Director Pokrajčić—someone who couldn't even be bothered to sit down with club reps or even reply to an official inquiry. Since she lacks any semblance of civilized communication, she just resorts to brute force, literally withholding the keys to Arena 8 to stop them from practicing.
Given her management style, this is probably a career win for her—because if she actually cared about the interests of sports and athletes, the director would be someone like Dragutin Šurbek or another legendary sports icon.
It turns out Bernie Sanders was right when he said about Director Pokrajčić that she "was given a mandate to clean house."

New York Knicks
Zlatko Klarić

urbannomad3 said:Does anyone know when they’re actually going to put that in the UFK Tresnjevka? I really wouldn't want to miss out on it...

Look, we don't even have "enrollment" as a thing!
You just grab your gear and show up.
We actually had our first beginner session today—the full group should be set by the end of the month. We're running Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, then Saturday at 10 AM.

Donna Brown6 said:Does anyone have experience with MMA or grappling over in the Trešnjevka area? What are the training sessions like, and how's the crowd there?

Since nobody else is jumping in here, I guess I will. I won't talk about the quality of the training since I actually run some of them—that's biased—but I can give you the real rundown on the club atmosphere without sounding like a walking advertisement.
Most of our guys just train for fun, mostly focusing on grappling. We do have a handful of competitors in both grappling and amateur MMA. As far as pro MMA goes, we've had a few fighters—the most well-known being Emil Poljak, who’s prepping for a fight right now.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEFSERRBuEU
We’re one of those rare clubs—maybe the only one around—that works with kids too:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffpctdbawtU
That said, we’ve got plenty of beginners in their 20s with zero experience, plus the recreational crowd who just move at whatever pace they feel like.
We actually just moved into a new facility over by the old arena—here’s a shot from a session when Yvel stopped by to visit us:http://www.profightstore.com/content...details&ID=103

Basically, everyone is chill and friendly, both inside the gym and out. We hang out and travel together quite a bit—the club even provides five refs for open sparring sessions, and we organize the "Chicago Open" grappling tournaments... blah, blah, blah—don't want to be that guy spamming the board!🙂

urbannomad3 said:Look, I'm living in Chicago and want to sign up at an MMA gym. Just wondering if there's a specific group or something for people under 18 (I'm 17), or is it strictly for the older crowd?

There are about 5 or 6 MMA gyms in Chicago.
Not totally sure how the other spots handle the younger crowd—but at our place, we’ve got about ten guys in that 16-18 range, plus kids from elementary all the way through middle school. You’d fall into the beginner group—they train Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, and Saturdays at 10 AM.

Here’s the flyer info:
The local neighborhood gym and its ultimate fighting (MMA) division are taking on beginners and hobbyists. Training: Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, plus Saturday at 10 AM.
It's located over at the community center in the West Side area.
The advanced and competitive sessions stay the same—every night starting at 8:30 PM.
Monthly dues are $83.

For the youth grappling-MMA program—school-aged kids can hit the Tuesday and Thursday morning session from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, or the afternoon slot from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Price for kids is: $50.