ART OF WAR MMA RANKING SYSTEM

The Art of War MMA ranking system is designed to encourage students skill development as a well-rounded Mixed Martial Artist.  Students will learn MuayThai Kickboxing, Wrestling, Boxing, and Jiu Jitsu.  For the Mixed Martial Artist, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and students will learn how to combine the above forms of fighting together into an effective, cohesive style suited to the individual. 

A) MMA SKILL CERTIFICATES FOR RECREATIONAL STUDENTS

At Art of War we believe in recognizing the skill progression of all of our students, fighters and recreational students alike.  We use MMA skill certificates to recognize the progress of our recreational students.   Unlike the fighter belt ranking system, one does not need to compete in MMA to earn skill certificates.  The student will progress by improving their technical skills in boxing, kickboxing, jujitsu, wrestling, and MMA. 

Level 1: Basic MMA

Students who earn a Level 1 certificate have typically been training from 2 to 6 months and have a dominant skill area (for example, kickboxing) that they feel comfortable with.  Such students will generally be less comfortable with the other areas (in this example, wrestling and jujitsu) but will have at least a basic understanding of these other areas. 

Level 2: Intermediate MMA

The major difference between the Level 2 student and the Level 1 student is that the Level 2 student will trained longer  (typically 9 months to 2 yrs), done more live sparring and grappling in class,  and have a more well rounded Mixed Martial Arts skill set.  As opposed to the Level 1 student, the Level 2 student will not have major weaknesses in their overall MMA game. 

Level 3: Advanced MMA

The level 3 student may not be a competitive fighter, but has the technical proficiency and physical fitness to be one if he/she desired.  The level 3 student will have advanced proficiency in at least 1 of the major MMA foundation styles and at least intermediate proficiency in the others.  More importantly, the Level 3 student will demonstrate the ability to apply the techniques on a wide range of sparring partners in class. 

B) FIGHTER RANKS

We use the same belt system for our competitive fighters as in Brazilian Jujitsu and 10^th Planet Jujitsu:  White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black.   Since Art of War is primarily an MMA school, however, to progress in our belt system a fighter must not only compete regularly in MMA, but improve their skills in ALL of the major foundation styles of MMA :  Jujitsu, Wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing.   As the fighters at our gym progress they also learn principles of exercise science and improve the following aspects of their physical fitness: Strength, Speed, Agility, Anaerobic Endurance, Aerobic Endurance, Balance, Flexibility.    An exceptional level of fitness is required to progress through the ranks. 

White Belt: Beginner

Blue Belt: >6 months of training, has MMA competition experience

Purple Belt: >2 years of training, At least intermediate proficiency in all 4 component martial arts, >3 martial arts competitions and >6 MMA bouts including amateur title fight(s).  Ready for pro debut.  Elite physical fitness level.

Brown Belt: Advanced proficiency in all component martial arts, >6  professional MMA bouts, Elite physical fitness level and fitness knowledge.

Black Belt: Advanced proficiency in all component martial arts and master proficiency in at least 2 component martial arts, >12 professional MMA bouts, elite physical fitness level including a national fitness certification and/or degree in exercise science/related field  from an accredited college or university.