MMA disciplines as a sport?

G

Graduation2016

5-Year Member
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Mar 16, 2014
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I am very involved in my local MMA studio and was wondering whether or not each discipline I do can count as a different sport.

To clarify, I take classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Submission Grappling several times per week. In addition, due to school and many other extra curricular activities, I have not done a sport in high school yet (although I do plan on trying out for a few next year).

The studio treats each discipline/class as separate entity (with payment, belts, promotion, etc.) so can those count as three different athletic activities? I am trying to maximize my current situation so I was wondering if that would be acceptable instead of just putting "MMA training" which is really just a blanket statement.

Thanks for any advice
 
This is a grey area IMPO.

DS did TKD and they accepted it because he not only competed on the state and national level, but he was also an instructor. The AFA RD asked for supporting material from his Master to illustrate that this was not just pay a check monthly and nothing more. IOWS be prepared to defend if you do not compete because as you said it is a money making organization, and they can't determine anything from that. There is no proof if you show up or just write a check.

He also was the senior lifeguard with 23 saves. He also submitted a letter from the pool manager describing what the mandatory monthly training was like for all guards.

He had no traditional sports, but he had proof that he excelled athletically in non-traditional athletic activities, with all aspects including leadership and year round.

They accepted this and moved on.
 
My kids were fencers (duh) and that's not exactly the local high school's baseball or basketball team.

regular participation and detailed documentation should be ok, but make sure your coaches are on board with your plans and that you are in an official club, etc.

Best of luck...
 
Thank you for your comments, I definitely intend to document all my activities within the studio.

But in your opinions would there be any benefit from listing each discipline as a separate athletic activity on my application?

So instead of filling out one spot with a blanket statement like "MMA Training," I would fill out at least one spot for each Martial Arts Discipline: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Submission Grappling.
 
The one caution here is, don't get injured. Several in this years doolie class either broke a hand, or torn a ligament just days before reporting. Now they are set back an entire year, providing they can get a clean physical for next years entering class.

Best of luck!
 
Grad, are there separate competitions/awards/skill rankings for ea discipline?

If so, I might say something like: I participated in MMA for seven years, attaining the rank of sensei in xxx, yyy, zzz, and and am a qualified instructor in www.

Especially if you are in an uncommon sport, you might want to give more explanations to your ratings/rankings.

Official documentation would be essential, I would think.
 
Thank you Fencersmother, that is a good idea. Yes the different classes are separate in that each one has a different ranking system and separate competitions. Each is independent from the other. I could be X in this and Y in that, completely independent from each other.

I am told that the AFA uses points and ranks to give Candidates a score. So in my logic (please correct me if I am wrong), I could go about this in two ways when filling out my application:

1. Like you said, I could list that I have participated and competed in MMA for 5 years, training in these disciplines, getting X rank in this one, Y in this one...etc.
But then wouldn't it appear as though I have only done one sport when technically each discipline is its own thing?

2. I list Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and all my awards and details as one activity. I then list another with Muay Thai, and another with Submission Grappling, etc... These disciplines are as different as Karate is from TKD so I assume that should be acceptable.

My question is: if I write my application like option 2, would I have a better advantage then if I went with option 1. It seems like I would because my profile would have a larger number of athletic activities than before. Please correct me if I have this wrong. Thanks
 
I think the second option is totally acceptable. No one knows exactly how the Admissions board ranks their applicants, only that they take into account the "whole person" concept.

I understand you are worried about your application, everyone should be. However, I don't think the difference between the two options should make or break your chances of getting in. One of the biggest responsibilities of an officer is to make decisions and there won't always be somewhere or someone to go to for advice.

Keep up the good work and good luck!
 
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