MMA In New York Guide

If you’re looking to train MMA in New York City, you have plenty of gyms to choose from.

With so many gyms to pick from, selecting the right gym can be challenging. So, to help, we’ve put together this guide.

In this MMA in New York guide, we discuss the best MMA gyms to train at and the factors you should consider when choosing a MMA gym.

FIGHTERS 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.

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Ronin Athletics Gym

RONIN ATHLETICS GYM

Ronin Athletics is considered one of the best martial arts academies in New York City. The gym offers classes in both kickboxing and MMA.

Ronin Athletics is located at 265 Madison Ave, 3 blocks south of Grand Central Station and 2 blocks southwest of the New York public library.

Ronin Athletics gym also offers self-defense classes for women and children. These classes are specifically designed to improve self-confidence and mental health whilst learning self-defense.

One thing that Ronin Athletics do well is promote a positive and inclusive mat culture that welcomes everybody regardless of age, sex and experience level.

Check out Ronin Athletics below.

Website: https://roninathletics.com/

Radical MMA NYC

RADICAL MMA NYC

Radical MMA is one of the most established MMA gyms in New York. The gym offers classes 7 days per week in multiple martial arts including, MMA, BJJ, Shootboxing and Wrestling.

Head coach René Dreifuss founded Radical MMA. Dreifuss is one of the most experienced coaches in New York City and holds black belts in BJJ, Judo and Karate.

Radical MMA is home to both an amateur and professional fight team. The gym produces fighters who regularly compete on the biggest promotions at both a regional and international level.

Radical MMA welcomes students of all experience levels, from hobbyists to professional fighters. The gym also offers a beginners program designed as an introduction to MMA for new students.

Check out Radical MMA below.

Website: https://radicalmmanyc.com/

Kings Combat Fitness

Kings Combat Fitness

Kings Combat Fitness is one of the leading gyms in New Yorks competitive MMA scene. The gym provides world-class training sessions in a range of martial arts, including BJJ and Thai Boxing.

Kings Combat Fitness is also one of the most successful Muay Thai gyms in New York City. Over the years, the gym has produced multiple world-class fighters who have competed on some of the most prestigious shows around the globe.

Kings Combat Fitness is perfect for both hobbyists and experienced fighters. The gym has specific classes for beginners, children as well as professional martial artists.

To this day, Kings Combat Fitness remains one of the best martial arts gyms in New York City.

Make sure you check out Kings Combat Fitness below.

Website: https://kingscombatfitness.com/

Renzo Gracie Accademy

renzo gracie bjj

Renzo Gracie Academy is one of the most popular martial arts gyms in New York. Located in the heart of Manhattan, Renzo Gracie’s offers some of the best BJJ instruction in the world as well as Muay Thai and Wrestling classes.

The gym is home to a stable of fighters who regularly compete in grappling events around the globe. The mats at Renzo’s are usually full of both locals and tourists dropping in due to the central location of the gym.

The Renzo Gracie Academy has a friendly atmosphere and welcomes people of all experience levels, from beginners to professional fighters.

Check out the Renzo Gracie Academy for more information on their timetable and drop-in fees.

Website: https://renzogracieacademy.com/

Buctown MMA

BUCTOWN MMA

Buctown MMA is one of the fastest-growing MMA gyms in New York. The academy offers classes in a variety of martial arts, including MMA, Wrestling, BJJ and Muay Thai.

What’s great about Buctown MMA is the number of martial arts on offer and the flexibility of the timetable. The program at Buctown MMA caters to both hobbyists and professional fighters.

Fighters from Buctown MMA regularly compete at regional and national martial arts competitions.

Buctown MMA also runs a non-profit organization that provides free martial arts classes for youth students. Although they have membership fees for their youth classes, they offer classes at no cost to students who are eligible for their volunteer program.

Check out Buctown MMA below.

Website: https://www.buctown.org/

Longo & Weidman MMA

Law MMA

Longo-Weidman MMA is a premiere mixed martial arts academy in New York that offers world-class instruction. Founded by former UFC champion Chris Wiedman and legendary trainer Ray Longo, the gym holds classes in multiple martial arts including MMA, BJJ, Wrestling and Muay Thai.

Longo-Weidman MMA is one of the most successful MMA gyms in New York. The gym is home to multiple world-class fighters including; Chris Weidman, Al Laquinta and Aljamain Sterling.

Whilst Longo-Weidman MMA has a stable of notable fighters, it still welcomes people of all ages and experience levels. The gym also offers a program designed for kids and high school wrestlers.

Check out Longo-Weidman MMA below.

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

Fight Factory NYC

FIGHT FACTORY NYC

Fight Factory NYC is a full-time martial arts gym located in the heart of Brooklyn. Over the years, the gym has established itself as one of the leading MMA gyms in New York City and a pillar of the local community.

Fight Factory is open 7 days a week, with classes taking place during both the daytime and evenings. The gym offers classes in several martial arts, including MMA, Boxing, BJJ, Kickboxing, Karate and Wrestling.

The gym offers premium facilities that include 3 boxing rings, a full-size MMA octagon, free weights and Muay Thai bags. Fight Factory also has a unique layout. The gym is divided into six zones. Each zone is dedicated to a martial art and training runs simultaneously by different instructors.

Fight Factory has a large squad of fighters who actively compete in multiple martial arts both regionally and nationally.

What’s great about Fight Factory is that they welcome everyone, ranging from complete beginners to world-class MMA fighters. The gym also offers self-defense classes and classes for children, teaching them martial arts in a safe and friendly environment.

Check out Fight Factory below.

Website: https://www.fightfactoryny.com/

Williamsburg MMA

Williamsburg MMA

Williamsburg MMA is one of the leading gyms in New Yorks competitive MMA scene. The gym provides world-class training sessions in MMA as well as a range of other martial arts, including Boxing, BJJ and Thai Boxing.

Williamsburg MMA offers a full-time schedule, with classes taking place in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Williamsburg MMA offers specific classes for children as well as advanced classes for experienced martial artists.

To this day, Williamsburg MMA remains one of the most successful MMA gyms in New York City.

Make sure you check out Williamsburg MMA below.

Website: https://www.williamsburgmma.com/

Modern Martial Arts NYC

MODERN MARTIAL ARTS NYC

Modern Martial Arts offers classes in both BJJ and kickboxing. The gym has multiple facilities in New York and offers classes 7 days per week.

Modern Martial Arts has a friendly atmosphere and caters to people of all ages and experience levels.

For more information and the recent timetable for Modern Martial Arts, check them out below.

Website: https://www.mmanewyorkcity.com/

WARRIOR STRENGTH 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.

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5 Tips To Pick A MMA Gym In New York

When picking a gym in New York there are several factors to consider. Below are our 5 top tips for picking a MMA gym in New York.

Location In New York

When you are picking a MMA gym in New York, you should consider the location.

Location factors to consider:

  • How much it costs to get to training
  • How long it takes to get to the gym
  • The distance from your work/college/school
  • Is the gym close to public transport

If you want your MMA training to be sustainable, you should pick a gym within a short commute from your home.

Your MMA Experience Level

When you are joining a MMA gym in New York, it’s essential that you consider how experienced you are at MMA.

It’s beneficial for experienced MMA fighters to train at a gym that has a large stable of competitive fighters. It’s not unusual for young prospects to move to a gym that has more competitive sparring partners and high-level training.

MMA beginners should look for a MMA gym that offers a beginners program and caters to both recreational and competitive fighters.

Martial Arts Instructors

MMA gyms can specialise in different Martial Arts depending on the instructors.

For example, some gyms are known as BJJ specialists, whilst other gyms focus more on striking.

If you have a background in a martial art, you might find the transition to MMA easier at a gym that specializes in that discipline.

MMA Gym Facilities & Size

When it comes to picking a MMA gym in NYC it’s essential you consider the size and the facilities of the gym.

Larger MMA gyms traditionally offer better facilities than smaller dojos. Usually, large MMA gyms have more classes on offer per week than smaller alternatives.

Smaller MMA gyms in NYC also have advantages. Small gyms often have a family feel and offer a more personal approach to training. If you’re looking to save some money, small MMA gyms are traditionally cheaper than large martial arts facilities.

Ultimately, it comes down to a combination of your budget and your personal preference.

Try Before You Sign Up

Most MMA gyms in New York offer a free trial class. You should check out a few different MMA gyms in New York before signing up for a long-term contract.

MMA In New York FAQ’s

Picking a mixed martial arts gym in New York can be challenging. To help, we’ve put together a list of common FAQ’s.

How long until I have my first MMA fight?

When should you have your first Mixed Martial Arts fight?

Ultimately, your coach is the person who will decide when you’re ready. Although they will assess every fighter on an individual basis, there are some common factors they will look at.

Your martial arts instructor will look at:

  • Your fitness level
  • What weight class you are in
  • Your technical MMA ability
  • How often you can train
  • Your previous MMA experience

Modern MMA gyms in New York are full of both competitive fighters and hobbyists. If you are looking to compete in MMA, you should talk to your instructor and show them you’re committed to training.

How Much Does it Cost To Train MMA in New York?

The price of training MMA in New York will vary depending on several factors.

These include:

  • How many classes are on offer per week
  • The facilities of the MMA gym
  • Where the MMA gym is located in New York
  • Who the instructors are at the MMA gym

In general, you should expect to pay between $150 – £300 per month for unlimited martial arts classes in New York.

Where can I watch MMA fights in New York?

If you’re looking to watch live MMA events in New York, there are both regional and international shows for you to check out.

Regional MMA shows feature a combination of amateur, semi-pro and professional MMA fighters on the same cars.

Remember to keep an eye out for international MMA events such as Bellator and the UFC. You can find more information on MMA in New York here.

What MMA Equipment Do I Need?

After joining a MMA gym in New York, you should consider buying your own MMA equipment.

Most martial arts gyms have used equipment for beginners to borrow. The problem is, this equipment is often extremely old, unhygienic and will offer minimal protection. So it’s always best to buy your own equipment as soon as possible.

We recommend the following MMA equipment:

You should always buy the best-quality MMA equipment you can afford. Premium MMA equipment can last many years, whilst budget equipment is less durable and offers less protection.

What Does A MMA Class in New York Consist of?

Although the format of MMA classes in New York will vary depending on the gym, classes will usually follow a similar format.

  • Warm-up – A warm up that encorperates shadow boxing and MMA specififc drills
  • Technical Training – Technical training is a combination of partner drills, pad-work and bag-work
  • Sparring – Sparing in MMA will be a combination of grappling, kickboxing and MMA sparring

Sparring is usually optional for beginners and hobbyist martial artists.

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What MMA Gym In New York Should You Pick?

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference when picking a MMA gym in New York City.

Picking the right gym can be daunting. To make an informed decision, we recommend considering the following factors:

  • How many classes are on offer per week?
  • The location of the MMA gym
  • How much monthly membership costs
  • Your MMA experience level

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Gareth Davies

I'm a martial arts competitor and enthusiast. Over the last 15 years, I have trained and competed in several martial arts. I live in Manchester U.K working as a strength & conditioning coach when I'm not travelling and exploring martial arts around the world.
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