MMA - Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques from a mixture of martial arts traditions to be used in competitions. The rules allow the use of striking and grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Modern mixed martial arts competition emerged in popular culture in 1993 with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is broken down into four main elements, Stand-Up arts (striking), wrestling arts, ground fighting arts and conditioning training.

At Bristol Dojo we have signed some of the very best MMA instructors in the business to teach our sessions. All of our sessions are taught by professional instructors who are regarded as the very best in their combat disciplines.

Whether you want to enter MMA competitions with our squad or just enjoy keep fighting fit, training with Bristol Dojo MMA team will give you everything you need. Beginners are always welcome, book now or come along and watch a session. You will not find a better venue and line up of instructors anywhere!


Bristol Dojo is a very friendly place to train and new members are always welcome. If you are thinking of joining Bristol Dojo MMA please feel free to just turn up on a training night, sit in our cafe bar area, relax, have a drink and watch a session to see if you like it! Simon, Ross or Mark are available to discuss your training needs and give advise. JUST ASK!

Stand-Up Coach- Jon Munden - Muay Thai. Monday & Wednesday 8.15-9.45pm. £6.

Muay Thai Boxing (Thai Kickboxing) is a martial art that has originated in the country of Thailand. In the early years of Thai History  hand-to-hand fighting techniques were developed that can quickly allowed the body's natural weapons such as the head, fists, elbows and feet to be utilized in a combat environment. This effective combat style has been subject to an increasing popularity in the mixed martial arts arena.

Muay Thai Boxing has enjoyed a huge surge in  popularity as fighters utilize these techniques in mixed martial arts fights such as the UFC and Pride FC. MMA fighters such as Anderson Silva, Mauricio Rua and wanderlei Silva have shared many striking elements of  Thai Boxing with Brazilian Jiu jitsu, Wrestling, and western boxing into a hybrid style which has been successful in the MMA arena.

Bristol Dojo is proud to have Jon Munden co-founder of Bristol Muay Thai bringing his club to Bristol Dojo starting 30th July. This well established club caters for traditional Muay Thai as well as providing invaluable stand-up techniques for MMA fighters.

Dojo Comment - This session is a great starting point for beginners in MMA and also those with more experience who wish to improve their stand-up work.

MMA Coach- Paul Reed - MMA. Tuesdays & Thursdays 8.30-10pm. £6.00

To ensure you get the best possible MMA training Bristol Dojo has brought in Professional MMA Cage Rage fighters Paul Reed and Greg Knapp to pull together our Stand-up, Wrestling and Ground Fighting arts into a single complete MMA package.

Paul is the official Bristol Dojo MMA coach and these sessions will be key to helping you develop as an MMA fighter. The success of an MMA fighter is to be able to use all of your skills at the right time and to seemlessly move from stand-up striking to take down to ground sumissions. This popular session will give you these skills and enable you to practice with your team mates in a competitive but friendly and safe environment. This is the class to be in whether your just beginning or training to fight!

These sessions also regularly bring in Glen, Pedro and Saeed to focus on a particular skill set to give a complete MMA package.
Dojo Comment - This session is suitable for everyone! Great for beginners and great for experianced fighters too! This is a session not to be missed for those wishing to representing Bristol Dojo MMA in tournaments.

Ground Fighting Coach - Pedro Bessa - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a martial art involving grappling and ground fighting. The aim is to pin down the opponent using joint locks and chokes to force the opponent into submission. Since ground fighting has a lot of importance in mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu becomes a very important factor.

The victories of Royce Gracie in the first, second and fourth UFC championships is a big proof of the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the mixed martial arts arena. Royce beat much larger opponents than him who were practicing other martial arts. This has put to rest the question about the most effective martial arts technique as far as mixed martial arts is concerned. Bristol Dojo has managed to secure the much sought after Pedro Bessa to teach BJJ in our MMA classes. A seasoned Black Belt and renowned competitor Pedro brings a wealth of experience in MMA and ground fighting to Bristol Dojo. Pedro was also named as Coach of the year by the Grappling Arts Association.
Please note that BJJ at Bristol Dojo is a "No Gi" session so normal MMA wear is to be worn. Click Here for Pedro Bessa website.

Check out the events page for Pedro's upcoming seminar's at Bristol Dojo. Click here

Dojo Comment - These sessions also require a basic level of fitness and are a "must" for MMA students. This session is suitable for complete beginners to professional MMA fighters.

Wrestling Coach- Saeed Esmaeli - Freestyle Wrestling.

Wresting gained respect among martial arts practitioners, especially with the advent of Mixed Martial Arts competition.  Early MMA competitions saw wrestlers defeat stylists from more tradition, striking - oriented styles.  Randy Couture (current UFC Heavyweight Champion) and Dan Henderson (current PRIDE Champion in the 183 and 20 pound divisions) both had competed extensively in Freestyle Wrestling before beginning their careers in Mixed Martial Arts.  Many other prominent and very successful fighters began their training in various forms of wrestling, and fighters from non - wrestling backgrounds need to purse wrestling training to complement their other skills.

Bristol Dojo has managed to sign the renowned professional Freestyle Wrestler and former European champion and Team GB member Saeed Esmaeli. These sessions will give you everything you need for your MMA takedowns from a seasoned professional who is rated as one of the best in the business. We would like to thank Charlie Joseph from Trojan Free Fighters for giving Saeed permission to teach at Bristol Dojo.
Dojo Comment - These sessions require a good basic level of fitness and will develop your strength and stamina. Bristol Dojo Freestyle Wrestling is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced athletes.

Stand-Up Coach- Glen Catley - Boxing.

The history of boxing goes back thousands of years to the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has been argued by many that the sport of boxing is amongst the oldest form of combat sports known to man. In relation to the sport of mixed martial arts, boxing has always been used from the early history in Brazil to modern day MMA competition.

At Bristol Dojo we are very privileged to have secured the services of former WBC Super Middleweight World Champion and West Country ‘hall-of-famer' Glen Catley. Glen know as "The Cat" will be taking sessions and seminars which will provide the best possible training for both MMA and traditional Boxing athletes. Glen brings a vast wealth of experience and expertise and teaches everything from technique to sports psychology. This session is not to be missed for anyone serious about Boxing.
Dojo Comment - You don't get many chances to train with a WBC World Champion boxer! These technical sessions cover all traditional Boxing techniques and "out of ring" training. Suitable for beginners to professionals

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