ASD MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) PROGRAM


The concept of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) dates back to the ancient Greek Olympics of 648 B.C. when it was called Pankration, meaning “all powers”. In the modern era, MMA was originally created as a way to test the capabilities of various martial arts against each other in a neutral forum with minimal rules.


Popularized by events like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Pride, the International Fight League (IFL) and K-1, today Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is taking the world by storm. The most combative of all the fighting sports, MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. MMA combines striking and grappling from the standing position as well as on the ground.


ASD’s MMA program focuses on the fundamentals of stand up fighting, wrestling and submission grappling for a mixed martial arts environment. It emphasizes striking with punches, kicks, elbows and knees, clinching, pummeling and takedowns/takedown defense as well as submissions, positions, and escapes on the ground. It also includes striking from the clinch and on the ground.


MMA training at ASD consists of technical training, drill training, conditioning, specificity training and sparring. Safety is another key factor with our training methods; you can’t train and fight if you’re constantly injured. Proper equipment, supervision, and training methods are strictly followed at our gym.


This program is comprised of four key elements: Muay Thai Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) and Sparring only classes. The combined programs give each student the conditioning and technical skill necessary to break into the MMA world. ASD is one of the best places in Northern California to become a well-rounded MMA fighter. Stop by ASD today and check it out!!


MILETICH FIGHTING SYSTEMS (MFS)


The Academy of Self Defense is proud to have been selected as the “official” and only MFS Northern California Training Center and is also being recognized as an official IFL Training Center. This means ASD is now part of the most successful Mixed Martial Arts team in the history of MMA.


Miletich Fighting Systems was founded in 1997 by Pat Miletich. His credentials include all-state in wrestling, black-belts in Karate and Jiu-Jitsu, a U.S. Muay Thai kickboxing title, undefeated in pro boxing, and he is a 5x Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC).


More importantly, Pat Miletich and his instructors on the MFS Team have has trained more MMA world champions than any other trainers in the world (including current UFC champions, Matt Hughes and Tim Sylvia, former UFC, Pride, and IFC Champions Jens Pulver, Jeremy Horn and Robbie Lawler, and the current IFL World Champion Silverbacks Team), and they take great pride in getting a fighter to the pinnacle of the sport in ultimate fighting.


However most people do not know that 95% of all students trained at Miletich Fighting Systems are people that have no intention of ever stepping into the ring or the octagon.


The Miletich Fighting Systems instructors understand that all people have the desire to be in great shape, learn how to defend themselves, and at the same time avoid injury. Our workouts have a proven safety record that will enable you to train in a safe, fun, and controlled class setting. We encourage people of all ages and abilities to try the classes here at our facility and see why so many people from the Bay Area and around the world travel to train right here in Santa Clara, CA at the ASD- Miletich Fighting Systems Facility.


     

For those interested in training for MMA competition, ASD fighters have access to the top MMA fight cards. In addition, ASD competitors and students may travel to Iowa to train at the Miletich Camp with Pat directly and some of the world’s best fighters. Pat will also offer seminars in MMA at ASD every year.


Affiliation with the Miletich team has several benefits for our ASD MMA students:

  1. Access to MFS trained instructors. Our instructors are first-rate instructors to begin with (Pat doesn't accept just anyone), but as a MFS affiliated school, they will have constant access to Pat, his fighters, and all new techniques and drills that are incorporated into the MFS. Given the size and success of the Miletich team, this is one of the best places to keep current on the trends and techniques of MMA.

  2. Seminars with Pat and his A-team fighters. On a regular basis, we will be bringing in Pat and his top name fighters (Tim Sylvia, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, etc...). This will allow the ASD students the chance to train and interact with fighters who have made it to the top level of their game.

  3. A well defined path through the MMA world. Pat has managed fighters from the smallest local level shows to the biggest names in the sport (Pride, UFC, IFL, etc...). In a sport of sometimes questionable promotions and promoters, any fighters who want to advance through the MMA world will have the knowledge and backing of the largest and most successful fight team currently in MMA.

To summarize, affiliation with Miletich Fighting Systems allows our already great school to provide even more training opportunities and techniques, and advancement paths to our students.


MUAY THAI BOXING


Muay Thai Kick Boxing is an ancient Thai martial art that dates back over 1000 years when Thai warriors used ft to defend their country from Burmese invaders. Whether practiced competitively or recreationally this highly exciting and aerobic form of kickboxing can transform your physique through intensive training techniques. Thai boxing has been used for centuries to build strength, endurance, power of concentration, determination, self-confidence and discipline.


Academy of Self Defense (ASD) instructors are internationally known and respected competitors and teachers. ASD – is a member of the Muay Thai International Association (MTIA) headed by Grandmaster Thosaphon Sitawatjana (Grandmaster Toddy) which is recognized by the government of Thailand as one of the most outstanding Muay Thai systems in the world. The MTIA grading system was developed to teach Muay Thai systematically, coherently and safely. It is arguably the most effective training system for Muay Thai in the world, bringing Thai boxing to both recreational and professional martial artists and producing over 40 World Champions to date.


At ASD, Muay Thai training is intense, exciting, fun and safe. ASD Muay Thai classes incorporate intense cardio and strength conditioning while learning precise Muay Thai striking and defensive techniques. You will learn to punch, kick, clinch, elbow and knee. Classes are a mix of conditioning training, jump rope, shadowboxing, bag work, combination mitt and pad work, offensive and defensive drills, and technique training. With many amateur and pro fighters’ training at ASD, sparring is available for those who wish to compete and/or challenge themselves.


We offer classes for adults of all levels, men and women, recreational through professional, serious competitors and those who simply find Thai boxing to be an unbeatable training regimen.


Our relationship with the Master Toddy, the professionalism of our staff and our welcoming environment makes ASD the perfect place to learn and train authentic Muay Thai. If you're serious about learning a striking art that works from the best instructors while getting in shape, the ASD Muay Thai Kickboxing program is for you.


Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Team Triune


ASD is the proud home of the Triune Jiu-Jitsu Team. The Head instructor of our Jiu-Jitsu program is Mr. Stan Kendrick. Mr. Kendrick is an esteemed Black Belt in the art known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is also a fully certified Defensive Tactics Instructor for correctional officers and Police officers.


Stan has won several prestigious International Jiu-Jitsu tournaments including; The Brazilian Masters Internationals, Pan-American Champions, US Open, and the American Internationals. More importantly, he has also trained many of his students to a championship level. His students have won the Pan Americans, the US Nationals, US Open and the California championships.


Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a Martial Art intended to control your opponent as much as possible using leverage and technique thus giving you a greater position for striking or submission holds. Submission holds consist of joint manipulation, locks or choke holds and can be applied even if your opponent is much larger than you.


The art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is unique not just because of the sophistication of its techniques, but for the realism of its training methods. No other art allows you to train at 100% without hurting your training partners.


All classes have three main components:


  • A warm-up that builds the level of general conditioning

  • Introduction of new techniques

  • Sparring, which is an opportunity to practice the techniques against a resisting training partner


Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the fastest growing martial arts in the United States because it has proven to be an effective method for dealing with combative situations. This is evident in today's Mixed Martial Arts. Requiring little or no strength, this art is a great self-defense system for men, women and children.