Let me start by saying that the concept of Mixed Martial Arts is not new.  We could debate all day about when the "mixing" of styles or concepts began, but I would like to offer three good examples of MMA from the past:

1.  Adriano Emperado and KAJUKENBO - Adriano Emperado is a native of Hawaii, and a first generation Filipino American.  He was a student of Kempo under Professor William K.S. Chow, and later became the senior student instructor under Professor Chow.  Emperado, along with some of his friends from other systems of martial arts created the system now known as KAJUKENBO,  or KArate, JUdo/JU Jitsu, Kenpo, and Chinese BOxing (also known as Kung Fu).  This system was formally established in 1947.  If you would like to learn more about KAJUKENBO, you can click here.

2.  Ed Parker Kenpo - GrandMaster Ed Parker established the first Kenpo academy on the mainland United States in the early 1950s.  As the number of students grew in his schools, he began to revise his original system to include concepts from several styles of Kung Fu, and to also increase the variety of kicking methods.  In the early years, Master Parker's academies taught detailed aspects of throwing, and ground work.  Much of this aspect was later removed for safety reasons, and to promote student retention.  You can read more about Ed Parker by clicking here.

3.  Finally, and without a doubt the greatest of all innovators - Bruce Lee.  No person in their right mind can ever doubt the fact that Bruce was a Mixed Martial Artist.  He was an advocate of obtaining detailed knowledge, the revising what he learned to adapt to "common sense" use.  Styles that many are just now learning of such as Silat, Kali, Savate, Dumog, etc, etc, etc.... He had already studied and used as far back as the late 1960s.  You can read more about Bruce Lee by clicking here.

So, what is different today?  Well today, anyone can open an academy and call their curriculum Mixed Martial Arts.  Since martial arts is poorly regulated, then all someone has to do is mix some aspects together, and now teach!  The frenzy for MMA has also caused a very "buyer beware" market to also occur.  Here is an example of one school that I know of;  this particular martial arts school previously advertised itself as a school of the Shaolin Do system.  A few years later, it then became a Shaolin Kenpo academy, then about two years after that it was listed as a Universal Kenpo martial arts school.  When the Krav Maga system took off, of course this same academy became the official school of Krav Maga.  Now, guess what?  Of course, it is a Mixed Martial Arts Academy!!!

So, here is my advice - when you think about training, think of the following before you choose:

- Research the history of the instructors, not just locally but everywhere.Research what they teach, and how long they have consistently taught these arts or systems.
- Are all of the instructors from the academy from the same lineage of training?  If not, then there will be no consistency.
- If the school is a franchise or chain operation, then there will be critical differences from academy to academy, and instructor to instructor.
- Don't go with the latest fad, it will disappear eventually.  Instead look for something that has a history.
- Remember, the level at which you become proficient and skilled will begin with a good teacher, but be completed by you.  You never need to stop learning, and should always seek to add to your level of knowledge, both in range and depth.
- Go to an academy that is safe.  Martial arts does you no good if the learning causes you debilitating injuries, or injuries that last for life.
- The training is for you - not for the instructor.  BEWARE of academies that are all about the instructor.  I find it disturbing and puzzling why students are so impressed with an instructor that can consistently overwhelm them, even when they get to the advanced level.  I read statements from students all the time literally bragging that their instructor can "tap" them, or beat them sparring all the time.  My advice to these people is to find an instructor that will teach you to be better, rather than less skilled than the instructor.  Could you imagine if your academic teachers had the same attitude?
- Finally, the best martial art to train in is the one that will inspire you to continue training.