June 28, 2012 American Top Team MMA Stripe Test – Future Black Belts!

If you want to be apart of our team but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

I believe the future of MMA are academies that teach MMA not specialty schools that compete in MMA.  The Greg Jackson’s, the AKA, the tri stars, the American Top Teams, those are the academies that are very successful today and will continue to be successful for years to come, why? Because these academies understand the importance of producing Mixed martial Artists that are proficient in all aspects of MMA and possess MMA specific techniques and training that isn’t available in other martial arts.

The variety of MMA is what kills the specific training of a Martial Art, the introduction of ground & pound changes the Jiu-Jitsu game completely in MMA, and wrestling can turn a muay Thai world champion into an amateur.  No martial art can exist in its natural form in MMA it must be modified or else it will not work.  Boxers laugh and ridicule MMA fighters for our boxing because are stance is squared and our blocking less efficient, but if we were to box like boxers in the cage we would get our lead leg kicked out and single legged to death.

If I had to choose between a world famous boxer and an MMA fighter with good hands to teach me how to punch for an MMA fight I would pick the MMA fighter because he knows which parts of boxing work and don’t work in MMA competition.  No longer can MMA just be comprised of several martial arts being taught separately, this sport needs academies and coaches that understand the variables of MMA and will teach you the modified versions that work.  Remember this is my opinion on training students specifically for MMA, if students are going to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or a Muay Thai fight then obviously specific training in that sport is required.  I have trained in MMA for 5 years now, and dabbled in a variety of different martial arts, but my main passion is training in MMA and I Love my camp for that.  I encourage everyone who is interested in training to do your research and find an academy that specializes in your goal, and will compliment your strengths while addressing your weaknesses.  I have been to a couple of different schools before I found American Top team of Franklin Square.  My academy had that binding glue between the separate martial arts that made a true Mixed Martial Arts school, that’s what I was looking for and that’s what i got.  My academy may not work for everyone and I’m sure there is a academy out there that works out perfectly for you, but if your interested they have a 30 day free trial for anyone who wants to give it a shot. Where ever you go good luck and never give up, it’s a lifestyle not a one night stand!

CLICK HERE for Part ONE: Long Island Mixed Martial Arts Shaken or Stirred?

If you want to be apart of our team WWW.NYTOPTEAM.COM but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

Long Island Mixed Martial Arts is on an unstoppable rise, many martial arts schools are trying to jump in or face going out of business.  I’m a member of American Top Team Franklin Square in Long Island, NY. ATT is a well-known organization that has numerous MMA gyms around the country, but its origins are new in comparison to other martial arts schools that have existed for decades.

In America the majority of Martial schools that existed up until now were mainly traditional eastern martial arts like, karate, kung fu, aikido, judo, etc.  Though each of these martial arts have deep roots in history and all have practical applications as it pertains to fighting, however in the sport of MMA the majority of these martial arts have become obsolete and gave way to more “sport” oriented martial arts like, Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu.  These four Martial Arts are what is taught at my gym American Top Team of Franklin Square (www.nytopteam.com).

Other MMA academies have their own mixture of martial arts for instance Sambo in place of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or judo in place of wrestling.  The “mixture” of specific Martial arts isn’t set in stone for what works in MMA, however the mixture must consist of four elements, Hands, kicks, takedowns, submissions.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu which dates back to the days of shoguns, and samurai warriors in ancient japan had techniques that enveloped all four of these elements yet the art was whole and not considered a Mixed Martial Art.  I feel that the state of MMA is in its Teenage years, we kind of know what we have to do but still a little immature about doing it.  MMA as it stands right now is in a transition between a combination of different martial arts used separately to complete all four elements and a cohesive single martial arts with its own unique techniques and theories.

Many academies have already progressed and have come to be known as MMA camps where as others are specialty schools that compete in MMA.  It a case where the sum of the parts isn’t equal to the whole.  A school that trains majority in Muay Thai will without a doubt have excellent muay thai but it doesn’t mean it will have effective Muay Thai in a MMA competition. The same can be said of a high level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school with a ton of world champions, it doesn’t mean those world champions will have excellent Jiu-Jitsu as it pertains to MMA.

Now this is a disclaimer for all the Muay Thai schools, jiu-jitsu schools that compete in MMA, I’m not saying your techniques are useless in MMA, I validate that you have excellent technique and many champions, but I am saying many of these schools don’t teach a style of Muay Thai or style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specific for MMA.

I believe the…

CLICK HERE for Part TWO: Long Island Mixed Martial Arts Shaken or Stirred?

If you want to be apart of our team WWW.NYTOPTEAM.COM but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

RJ is one of our Long Island BJJ instructors and also trains MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing and Wrestling! Over the weekend he made everyone at American Top Team Franklin Square proud by bringing home the GOLD!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament Recap by RJ himself!

Weighted in at 188.2 Fully clothed after a big breakfast for the 194.9 division. Got moved into the 265 class. First guy, similar weight. I sat and attacked with every guard from half to inverted, but he wouldn’t engage, so I stood clinched, and dove both legs through for a super deep butterfly. Immediately swept into mount, worked a few submissions but he was t-rexing, and so I blanketed him for the easy 6-0. Sip of water, then next. 240lb-er who took gold in gi. Clinch, pulled half guard. Worked my shin into his calf with a tight lockdown for a minute or so, until I saw him take a deep breath, then pop went my hips into a banana split sweep then I passed into side control. From there it was a pure domination of me going for position and subs and passing his desperation half guard at will. Easy 11-0 destruction of the gi champ.

If you want to be apart of our team but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

Nate is one of our consultants and loves Long Island MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing and Wrestling! Yesterday we had to wish Nate of American Top Team Franklin Square best wishes and a happy birthday! He is a special part of our team motivating everyone with his warm smile and kind words!

If you want to be apart of our team but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

Ask for Nate!

Please go to www.nytopteam.com to learn more!

The Long Island Edge is a web series that features places of interest on Long Island, NY for young adults. For their latest episode they wanted to capture unique ways of getting in shape on Long Island and naturally wanted to Visit us at American Top Team Franklin Square to see how we train MMA, Muay Thai, BJJ and Wrestling in Nassau Long Island. Trust me they were surprised at what they found!

Please go to www.nytopteam.com to learn more!

If you want to be apart of our team but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

Please go to www.nytopteam.com to learn more!

American Top Team of Franklin Square was the place to be Friday, April 27^th, as ATT had its bi-monthly series of exhibition fights including Long Island MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai and Boxing fights.  Aptly titled Clash in the Cage 11: That’s Justice; the event featured up-and-coming American Top Team students and other local schools in competitive Boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu matches.  The bouts are designed to prep ATT’s Elite Combat Athletes for higher level competition in various fight promotions in the area.  While there are no declared winners, fights are highly competitive and matches can be stopped if the referee decides the participant has suffered enough physical punishment or has been submitted.

 The night’s first bout featured ATT students Scott Palgon and John Lamneck in a fast paced Muay Thai match.  Palgon and Lamneck traded blows for three rounds straight, as the crowd cheered feverishly.  Both men left the cage with their heads held up high and shared the experience with family and friends.

 In what some may call the fight of the night, ATT teammates Paul Thimonte and Vinny Sparacino excited the crowd with their array of punishing strikes. In the first round Sparacino landed a hard straight right cross, which rocked Thimonte.  Thimonte kept his composure and responded with vicious rapid fire kicks; wearing down the big man. The final round saw the both ATT competitors go blow for blow until the final bell.

 ATT’s own Francis Maneja fought Chris Ali from Pinpoint Muay Thai Academy.  Maneja was in a bit of trouble, when Ali connected with a huge rear head kick; knocking Maneja off balance. Nonetheless, Maneja quickly recovered, as his sharp footwork to confused Ali; setting up various combinations.  

 The last bout of the night saw Kundo Hernandez manhandle Spartan MMA’s, Matt Mehl.  For two rounds, the Cuban national suplexed and throwed  Mehl around in the ATT cage.  To the amazement of those in attendance, Kundo took the 300 pound Mehl and threw the Spartan MMA representative over his head in pro wrestling fashion.  Mehl eventually succumbed to the onslaught, tapping out as result of a painful side headlock performed by Hernandez.  It should be noted that Hernandez’ will be participating in his first MMA fight on June 8^th.  Please see Head Coach David Martucci for further information.  

Other fights include:

American Top Team students Chris Munoz versus (NJ Mac) (Muay Thai)

American Top Team’s Kai Anthony versus Spartan MMA’s Nile Dillion (Muay Thai)

American Top Team’s Mike Caulo versus Spartan MMA’s Kyle Lynch (Brazilian Ju-Jitsu)

American Top Team’s Martin Rosa versus Spartan MMA’s Alfred Johnson (Muay Thai)

American Top Team’s Nathanial King versus Kayo Boxing’s Scott Libby (Boxing)

Fit-For-Life’s Darryl King versus Pinpoint Muay Thai Academy’s Chris Liveri (Muay Thai)

Congratulations to all participants involved. The next Clash in Cage will be held June 28^th.

If you want to be apart of our team but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you!

Please go to www.nytopteam.com to learn more!

Here at American Top Team Franklin Square we provide expert instruction in MMA, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling and much much more! We take team building seriously. In and out of the gym we are a team, we are family. This past weekend we could have kicked the summer off with a BBQ but at Att Franklin Square we embrace team building in and out of the gym and decided to go PAINTBALLIN’! Here is a group shot of our team before the war! If you want to be apart of our team but never knew if MMA or martial arts training is for you we would like to offer you a FREE 30 Day Trial to try what we offer and see if it is right for you! Please go to www.nytopteam.com to learn more!

Long Island MMA Team goes Paintballing!

Long Island MMA Team goes Paintballing!

I greet you on this rainy dark day In Franklin Square a few days before Memorial Day 2012! Here at American Top Team Franklin Square we pride our selves on changing the lives of our students and our community.

In between grappling, sparring and other training here at the gym we like to have fun so one of our adult students who has a child on the way was joking how he hopes he has a boy and wants him training as soon as he is born! Then he pulled our his phone and asked Siri “Where is the best MMA gym on Long Island for Kids?”

To our surprise he found this article on answers.com from one of the parents here at the gym! It really warmed our hearts and validated alot of what we do here!  See below for the transcript and snapshot is attached. We appreciate the feed back and even mentioned our websites! We are honored and that is why we offer a FREE 30 DAY TRIAL to anyone who walks through our doors because we are so confident that if given the chance we can improve their lives and our community. If you are reading this and would like a FREE 30 Day trial for yourself, child or know someone who likes to watch UFC and would like to get off the couch and train please tell them to go to www.nytopteam.com

Below is the transcript from ANSWERS.COM when the question was posted “Where is the best MMA gym on Long Island for kids?”

I was looking for the best MMA training for kids on Long Island and found American Top Team Franklin Square. Moving from Brasil to Long Island I wanted my son to have expert instruction in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA. They are an official ATT school sanctioned by Ricardo Liborio (I know because I called Coconut Creek!) They are fantastic with kids! Teaching my son discipline when my wife’s attempts have failed. He is getting better grades in school and making friends in the gym and loosing weight. Because of my Son I am getting back into training myself I trained Muay Thai in Sao Paulo and want to learn MMA now so I can have something nice to do with my son and bond with him. The professors at American Top Team Franklin Square are caring, know what they are doing and honest good people. My son is a better person and I think im a better father because I have helped him find something he likes if you want more information they have a couple of websites for kids I think it is http://www.mmatrainingforkids.com and for adults you can go to http://www.nytopteam.com If you want more information or if you go to the school ask for Ricardo with the Grey hair they all know me!