WALKER: Team Curran MMA Training Blog - Sitting in on Sparring

By: Brad Walker, MMATorch Contributor

The element of workmanship goes into every aspect of a fighter's game inside of the cage; this is perhaps never more apparent than when they are training in preparation for a fight. They wrestle, practice their jiu-jitsu, and most of all work hard to keep themselves in shape year round. It is a grueling process which takes its toll on their body over time; but for the glory you must first take on the work. Watching amateurs and professionals both work together in such harmony to make each member of the team better and bring them to the next level is like watching nine men on a baseball field work towards a victory. It is, in essence, the old saying "it takes a village," and these men and women are in fact a village.

They grind against the wall to practice a particular take-down; they push their bodies to the limit to work on just one particular moment within a fight. Each moment matters, and each moment can change the outcome at any given second. Every fighter knows this, and they must be prepared. The fighter who is ill-prepared is the fighter with a hole in their game, an Achilles heel that could be found at any point inside the cage. There is blood, sweat and tears poured even in the practice ring; bones and hearts can both be broken, spirits can be tested, and a fighter can be pushed to their limit. However, these professionals are always going to push back. Under the expert tutelage of Jeff "Big Frog" Curran, each of these fighters at Team Curran MMA is raising their potential, and making an attempt to move themselves up in the game.

It takes more than one element of MMA to become a full-fledged professional; no one wants to step into the ring ill-equipped, or unprepared. The unprepared fighter is often found to be the losing fighter, and in some cases when a fighter is unprepared they wind up getting hurt. Jeff takes the time to make sure his fighters are ready for any move, any shot, any situation they are going to face in the course of a fight ? and each one grows from this teaching style. If you don't cover all the bases, you risk being made to look like a fool, and Big Frog doesn't teach no fool (Yeah, I said it!). There is significant risk to be considered just stepping inside of a practice ring with men and women who are trained so well, but for one man to climb a mountain, he must laugh at the danger that awaits him on his path to the summit.

Even during his own training camp, Jeff spends much of his time - numerous hours per week -training his team, the fighters who carry the Team Curran flag into battle, and this is certainly no joke to him, or his students. Seeing the elements unfold just feet in front of my eyes inside of the gym is priceless; watching a fighter evolve beyond their current capabilities to become a fully rounded individual is truly a sight to behold. The grappling under the close eye of their coach is precise and they continue to practice until they've mastered each step. On the close end of the mat, the men work on avoiding a takedown, on the far side the same, it's like watching an ongoing mass evolution. No one sits back or relaxes, they each carry their weight and use what they know and can do to help their team mates become capable of the very same.

From the standpoint of a fan, this is like seeing how your favorite fighter becomes that person you see in the cage. From the standpoint of an analyst this is like watching Jeff Curran put his personal brush stroke on each and every fighter that he trains, bringing them closer to their full potential. It is both violent and poetic how they work together to make the numerous aspects of mixed martial arts come together in a way that allows them to make it flow so naturally. Being able and being allowed to have this inside look at how Team Curran trains has given me great insight into how a fighter truly comes to be the man or woman they are when that bell rings, and it's truly an astonishing thing to witness. No fighter walks into their fight knowing what is truly going to happen once that bell rings, but the trainers at Team Curran and Jeff himself do everything they can to make sure their fighters are capable of making the adjustments needed to take home the win.

Some people never get the chance to experience seeing a fight live outside of their television set, much less sit in on a sparring and training session while these fighters work towards their potential. I am thankful to be given this chance by Jeff and his team not to only train at their gym, but to see how things happen in the weeks prior to a fight. Some people still believe that MMA is just a blood sport or as close as we get to modern gladiators, and those people need to see how hard these men and women work to perfect their art and talents. This is no blood sport we are talking about, it is a true athletic competition like any other professional sport, and those improperly perceiving it just need further insight and understanding. These fighters work hard to earn their spot on the team, and work towards their own personal greatness, so make sure to give them proper credit, because the amount of work they do is absolutely astounding.

It takes a level of dedication unknown to most to put this kind of work in to fight three or maybe four times a year if you're lucky. To these fighters however it has become a part of their daily life, they bleed for the fight game ? and they love to do it. There is no retreat once you've submerged yourself in the professional world of mixed martial arts, there is only moving forward, learning, and becoming a better fighter. With a facility like this and some of the most profound and talented fighters acting as your teachers you certainly have an advantage going into a fight. It is without question one of the hardest sports to keep up with physically and mentally, because when you lose it will break your heart, mind and body; but when you win, that one instant of having your hand raised makes it worthwhile to all of these fighters.

Some of them may not be names familiar to most right now, but others certainly are, and the ones who aren't are unquestionably planning to be. They could be future champions, legends or even hall of famers, only time will truly tell. The work they put into their game on a daily basis is incredible, and perhaps unmatched by most. One thing I can tell you for sure is that these fighters have a bright future, whether it be within the confines of a ring or a cage. They are the beating pulse within the body that makes up Team Curran, and their teachers will stand by them through thick and thin to help them find their glory.

Follow Team Curran MMA On Twitter - @TeamCurranMMA

Also Jeff "Big Frog" Curran ? @BigFrogBJJ

And me, naturally @BradMMATorch

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