MMA In Manchester Guide - 7 Best MMA Gyms In Manchester

If you’re looking to train MMA in Manchester, you have lots of gyms to choose from.

There are tons of benefits of training MMA including, improved mental health, learning self-defense, and weight loss. With many gyms to choose from, picking the right gym can be challenging. To help, we have put together this MMA in Manchester guide.

In this MMA in Manchester guide, we discuss the best MMA gyms in Manchester and the factors you should consider when choosing a gym.

Warrior STRENGTH S&C PROGRAM

Do you want to win your next fight, transform your body & unleash your potential as a martial artist?

We work exclusively with combat athletes to improve their performance, optimize their recovery time, and reduce stress during training.

SIGN UP TO OUR 12-WEEK PROGRAM

SBG Manchester

SBG Manchester is located in the city centre, a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly station. The gym has been established for over 15 years and is one of the original MMA gyms in manchester.

SBG Manchester has a strong presence on the UK MMA scene, with several prospects regularly fighting on Cage Warriors and other world-class organisations.

Classes are overseen by Head instructor Matt Inman, a veteran fighter and world-class MMA instructor.

SBG offers classes in several martial arts, including MMA, BJJ, Striking and No-Gi grappling. The gym has a friendly atmosphere and welcomes people of all experience levels, from beginners to professional fighters.

Check out SBG Manchester below.

Website: http://www.sbgmanchester.com/

Preditors MMA Manchester

Predators MMA was founded in 2006 by BJJ black belt Gavin Boardman. The gym is located 10 minutes north of the city centre.

The gym has a stable of MMA fighters, including several pro’s who are UK top 10 ranked fighters.

Predators MMA offers classes in multiple martial arts including, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi Grappling and Striking.

Check out Predators MMA below.

Website: https://www.manchester-mma.com/

Franks Team MMA Manchester

Franks Team Manchester is located in the east of the city. The Gym was founded in 2015 and has recently opened up a new modern training facility.

The BJJ program is run under the Lucio Sergio affiliation. They offer classes in several martial arts six days a week and welcome people of all experience levels.

Check out Franks Team below.

Website: https://franksteam.co.uk/

ASW MMA Manchester

ASW Manchester is an MMA gym in Manchester that specialises in Catch Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Thai Boxing.

The gym was founded by Head Coach Kameron Atakuru, an accomplished grappler and martial artist. ASW Manchester has a strong stable of fighters who are active on the MMA circuit.

The gym is known for producing elite grapplers, and they are the only MMA gym in Manchester that specialises in Catch Wrestling.

Check out ASW MMA below.

Website: https://asw-manchester.business.site/

12 Gauge MMA Manchester

12 Gauge MMA is located in Stockport, 10km outside of Manchester and was founded in 2009.

The gym is run by Head coach Matt Thorpe, a BJJ black belt and retired professional MMA fighter.

12 Gauge MMA has a strong presence on the national MMA circuit. Their competition squad regularly compete on MMA and Kickboxing shows around the UK.

12 Gauge MMA offers classes in MMA, Kickboxing, BJJ and Submission Grappling 7 days per week.

Check out 12 Gauge MMA below.

Website: https://www.12gaugemma.com/

Fighting Fit Martial Arts Centre Manchester

Fighting Fit Manchester was founded in 2008 and is one of Manchester’s longest running martial arts gyms.

The gym offers over 30 martial arts classes a week including, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Boxing and Kickboxing. Fighting Fit also provides a range of membership packages that include personal training.

Check out Fighting Fit Manchester below.

Website: https://www.fightingfitmanchester.com/

All Powers Gym

All Powers Gym in Stockport is run by Panicos Yusuf, a two-time Muay Thai world champion. He has fought for multiple leading organisations including ONE FC & Yokkao. All Powers Gym is primarily known for Muay Thai, but they also offer MMA and wrestling classes.

They have a squad of Muay Thai fighters that represent All Powers Gym throughout the U.K and on the world stage.

The elite-level striking on offer makes All Powers Gym Stockport a good option for any up and coming MMA fighters.

Check out All Powers Gym below.

Website: https://www.allpowersgym.co.uk/

How To Pick A MMA Gym In Manchester

Picking the right gym MMA gym in Manchester can be challenging. Below, we discuss the factors to consider when choosing a MMA gym in Manchester.

MMA Experience

How long have you been training MMA?

When you’re picking a MMA gym in Manchester, you should consider your MMA experience level.

For example, experienced MMA fighters in Manchester should join an established gym like SBG Manchester. Professional fighters need multiple high-level sparring partners to prepare for their fights.

If you are new to MMA, you should pick a gym in Manchester that offers a beginners program and caters to people of all experience levels.

MMA Instructors

Every MMA instructor has a different style of teaching classes.

If your MMA instructor has a background in a specific martial art, they will specialise in that discipline.

For example, mixed martial arts gyms run by Muay Thai fighters will produce fighters with elite striking skills.

MMA Gym Location In Manchester

When choosing a Mixed Martial Arts gym in Manchester, you must consider the location of the gym.

Factors you should consider:

How far is the gym from your work/school/home?
How much does it cost to get to training?
Is the gym located in the city centre?
What is the traffic like at rush hour?
Is there public transport?

We recommend picking a gym within a 30-minute commute from your home or work. You should also travel the route during rush hour before signing a long-term contract.

MMA Gym Size & Facilities

If you’re looking to train MMA in Manchester, you should consider the size and facilities of the gym.

There are benefits to training at both large and small MMA gyms.

Benefits of training at a large MMA gym:

Larger MMA gyms often have better facilities.
Bigger gyms have more sparring partners.
Large MMA gyms often have more classes scheduled per week.

Benefits of training at smaller MMA gyms:

Smaller MMA gyms often provide more 1-2-1 instruction.
Small MMA gyms cost less than large MMA gyms.
There is often a family vibe at small MMA gyms.

Ultimately, when considering the size of a MMA gym, it comes down to individual preference. There are benefits to training at both large and small MMA gyms, so we suggest you try a few different gyms before committing.

Try Before You Sign Up

Most Martial Arts gyms in Manchester offer a free trial class. This is a chance for you to try a class before committing to the gym.

MMA In Manchester FAQ’s

Picking a MMA gym in Manchester can be challenging. So, to help, we have put together this list of common FAQs.

When Should I Have My First MMA Fight?

When should you have your first MMA fight?

The decision is down to your trainer. Although they will assess every MMA fighter on an individual basis, there are some common factors they will look at to decide when you should have your first MMA fight.

These include:

Your fitness level.
How long you have been training MMA.
Your mental toughness.
How many times your train per week.
Your weight class.

Most MMA gyms in Manchester cater to both hobbyists and competitive fighters. If you’re looking to fight, you should express your interest in fighting with your coach.

How Much Does it Cost To Train MMA in Manchester?

The cost of training MMA in Manchester will vary depending on multiple factors.

These factors include:

How many classes are on offer per week?
The size & facilities of the MMA gym.
The instructors of the MMA gym.
Where the gym is located in Manchester.

In general, you should expect to pay between £70 – £100 per month for unlimited MMA training in Manchester.

What Equipment Do I Need For MMA?

After signing up to a MMA gym in Manchester, you should start thinking about buying your MMA gear.

Below are some of the most important pieces of MMA equipment.

MMA Gloves – RDX Gloves
MMA Equipment Bag – Fairtex Bag
Muay Thai Shin Guards – Twins Shin Guards
Muay Thai Gloves – Fairtex Muay Thai Gloves

Always buy the highest quality equipment that you can afford on your budget. Low-quality equipment can cause injuries and may need replacing within a few months. High-quality MMA equipment is more durable and offers more protection than cheaper alternatives.

What Does A MMA Class in Manchester Consist of?

In general, MMA classes are broken down into three parts.

Warm-up – A warm-up that incorporates MMA specific movements and shadow boxing.
Technical work – Technical work typically consist of partner drills, bag-work or pad-work.
Sparring – A combination of situational sparring drills, MMA sparring and grappling.

Whilst Mixed Martial Arts classes in Manchester will vary depending on the gym, they tend to follow a similar format.

How Can I Progress At MMA Faster

The easiest way to get better at MMA is to turn up to class. If you are looking to put in extra work outside of class, there are several instructionals available to supplement your MMA training.

We recommend:

What MMA Gym In Manchester Should You Pick?

Ultimately, when picking a MMA gym in Manchester, it comes down to individual preference.

Choosing the right MMA gym in Manchester can be challenging. When you’re making your decision, you should consider the following factors:

Your previous MMA experience.
The location of the MMA gym in Manchester.
The facilities of the MMA gym.
How many classes are on offer per week?
Who instructs the MMA classes.

If you enjoyed our MMA in Manchester guide, share it by hitting the button below.