MMA pretender litmus test - how to spot a poser without sparring him?

**Aikironin21** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 6:19am

How about posture? I work with Loreto Garza. He has kind of a permanent shrug I guess you could say. Almost like he's constantly protecting his chin, even when he's relaxed. After some time training in MMA is there any traits you notice among those who have trained the longest?

I would think most systems would have some trait that gets trained in. I train in Aikido. My partner says I glide when I walk. Almost like even though I'm moving I look like I'm standing still. When we walk the yard, he has a difficult time keeping pace with me despite him being at least six inches taller than me. I attribute this to me, paying special attention to my foot work, cause I wanted to be able to use Aikdo foot work to gain advantage and position for utilizing Kajukembo techniques. What I would do, is practice moving like we do in Aikido while moving around in everyday life. As a result I can cover a lot of space quickly and effortlessly without thinking of my foot work.

So even something as simple as someone who never stands with his feet parallel to each other, or is constantly changing his position as others around him move about, may be signs. These things get trained in, and probably most don't even notice.

**syberia** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 6:48am

Originally Posted by Aikironin21

How about posture? I work with Loreto Garza. He has kind of a permanent shrug I guess you could say. Almost like he's constantly protecting his chin, even when he's relaxed. After some time training in MMA is there any traits you notice among those who have trained the longest?

They all kick my ass.

Double leg 'em and see how you go. ;)

Seriously, though. It usually becomes clear to me about five seconds into the conversation if they know anything. I'm not sure why.

**Tom .C** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 7:08am

I just walk away as soon as I figure out someone is full of ****. Sometimes when they are in mid-sentence. I don't mind a waste of time as long as it's enjoyable. I just don't enjoy standing there listening to someones fantasy bullshit.

**jdempsey** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 7:12am

- do you train fighters? FAIL
- have you trained fighters? FAIL
- have you fought? FAIL
- what have you trained and where? FAIL
I asked these questions to an mma gym once. After swallowing a bs sales pitch I walked outside and regurgitated this for my girlfriend who was much more amused than me

**syberia** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 7:13am

I got a local TKD'er to come and check us out once. I warned him that his gym may not allow cross training (I know they don't), but ours was quite happy with it if he decided to switch (he had expressed and interest in boxing, too).

He went with TKD.

Can't say I didn't try to save a soul.

**syberia** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 7:16am

Originally Posted by jdempsey

- do you train fighters? FAIL
- have you trained fighters? FAIL
- have you fought? FAIL
- what have you trained and where? FAIL
I asked these questions to an mma gym once. After swallowing a bs sales pitch I walked outside and regurgitated this for my girlfriend who was much more amused than me

No offence, but that's kind of a dick response.

Not every MMA and BJJ gym fights competitively and what's the point of asking where someone trains if you're at a gym?

Instead of sounding like a know it all, get on the mat and train. An hour of training can usually tell you whether or not they are worth it.

**W. Rabbit** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 1:53pm

Originally Posted by syberia

Ugh. I wish I had 500 to spend on anything. But I like wearing thongs.

Edit: Wait, on my feet. Thongs, on my feet. Whatever you call them over there. Flip flops?

Ah, the things sometimes lost in translation....

That first sentence would have been way funnier had it come from Colin or Battlefields.

**tao.jonez** · Posted On: 6/13/2011 2:27pm

You can ask about equipment, too - gloves, gi, shin guards, etc. People who use equipment a lot tend to be a little picky about it. Or at least knowledgeable.