Anyone take MMA classes?

[MiamiCubano]

IIRC, Tim was one of the first Americans to train under Machado.
How does the Pancrase system differ workout wise from the Gracie/Machado workouts?

Well it depends on where you go for your training. Generally speaking though, with the Gracie/Machado (I only know how Rigan Machado works, but they are the same family), you are going to face submission wrestling training. That is grappling, or, in other words, taking opponents down to the ground and forcing them to submit through the use of various "holds." It is not a "pounder's" type of art and, there are many who believe that trying to take an opponent down to the ground is a poor idea and creates a recipie for getting your ass handed to you, particularly if you're not equipped to effectively administer the submission holds (and as such, in real life situations can be a fatal shortcoming). But such grappling has its own followers and really its own league - ADCC for instance. That is almost entirely grappling based and, for many, very boring as it can result in two guys on the floor just holding each other until someone relents. It's not a pounding match. Kind of similar to Greco-Roman fighting, but more intense.

Pancrase on the other hand is, to a degree, almost the opposite of that, with the exception that you do learn submission techniques. With Pancrase you are going to learn different strikes, blows, etc., in addition to your submission techniques. This is sometimes, in some circles, also known as "shoot" wrestling. A little more expanded and intensive than pure submission/grappling and, as such, you are going to be exposed to different, and in some aspects, more intense training. It all depends on the master you are under.

 

[smokelaw1]

Very cool info, thanks. I have had almost no exposure to the japanese hybrid strikin/wrestling style. I did recetnly spar with a 140 pounder who trained in what he calls "wrestling with strikes" in Asia (don't recall where, could have been Japan). It was insane. Besides being so fast that I couldn't even connect with a jab to the gloves (I have a very fast jab...not the most powerful jab, but pretty quick). He took me down and "tapped" me with elbows and fingertips until I quit. I knew I had no chance against him, even with over 40 pounds and 6 inches in height, as he was much more advanced. He is now working on submission technique at a high level...he'll be a (more) dangerous little man when he gets those down.