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How To: Femininity Meets Masculinity
Saturday, December 6, 2014 @ 1:32 AM
Is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) a sport only for males? Tengku Nazihah explains how MMA caters to females, as well as a step-by-step guide on some basic moves
The tension is imminent. The two fighters shadow each other’s moves, their eyes locked on each other. Charging up all her energy, she goes for it – a punch to the face, a kick to the chest. The other winces, wobbling backwards. The whistle sounds, signaling round one for the fighters.
This is a typical scene for those familiar with Mixed Martial Arts, also known as MMA. At the mere mention of MMA, the first thing you would think of it is a male-dominated sport. On the contrary, it caters to females as well.
“Now we’re getting (to a point) where girls are training and fighting. It’s starting to get popular, but not as popular yet. Just recently, UFC has allowed women to fight,” Amarpal Singh, a MMA instructor from Fight G, explained.
Over the years, female fighters such as Sherilyn Lim and Nicole Chua have managed to make a name for themselves in the MMA world, even competing in competitions like the One Fighting Championship (One FC).
According to DivaAsia, in recent years, three martial-arts schools here have seen up to a 200 per cent rise in female enthusiasts. MMA is not only all about the fighting aspects, but also more importantly the skill set, such as self-defense techniques, and the mentality you acquire.
Interested in MMA but having trouble on where to start?
“My recommendation would be is if you’re really serious about MMA, then you start with Muay Thai first, learn the basic moves,” Amarpal tells us.
Well you’re in luck! Next up, Amarpal explained the steps in the basic striking moves used in MMA – the stance, jab, cross and the rear elbow – all of which you can use as basic self-defense techniques.
Stance
Your basic MMA stance is your basic muay thai stance
1. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
2. Take your dominant leg and step back. Imagine a line that runs down the center of your body; the line should hit the heel of your front foot and the toe of back foot.
3. Both of your hands should always be up to protect your face and also bring your elbow slightly inwards.
4. From the front view, it should look like a triangle - your feet forming the base and your head the top.
5. You must be balanced in your fighting stance; make sure your weight is distributed equally on both legs.
Remember to maintain your correct fighting stance and have your hands up to protect your face for the next few moves!
Jab
The first strike used in more punching combination.
1. In your right fighting stance, extend your left palm down and your knuckles forward. As you do this, always bring up your heel and pivot your hips to the right. This should be a simultaneous movement.
2. As you fully extend your jab, move your head a little out of the way so to prevent getting hit from your opponent.
Cross
Similar to the jab, except it comes from across the body.
1. In your stance, punch with your dominant hand.
2. As you extend, raise your back heel and twist your hips and pivot with the punch
Rear Elbow
A power strike that uses the momentum from your rotating hips to drive your rear elbow into your opponent.
1. In your fighting stance, raise your rear elbow, with your palm facing down and your hand as close to your collarbone.
2. Raise your heel and hips. Turn with your elbow as you use it to strike your opponent’s head.
Interested but still doubtful of trying out for MMA?
“It’s going to get tough along the way, but if you keep going, you’ll get there someday,” Siti Nuraishah, a 19-year-old who has been practicing martial arts for a year now.
“You can just join in, jump in the fire, so as to speak. The best way to learn is just go, go for it,” wise words from Amarpal.