What better way to support the development of the England EMMAA team than time with a world-class analyst of MMA, UFC veteran, Elite coach and EMMAA board member, Dan Hardy!
We met to discuss the recent performances at the IMMMAF World Championships and apply Dan’s genius analytical mind to the unique challenges of IMMAF competition. We discussed everything from preparation through to judging and officials.
IMMAF is a unique platform for amateur MMA athletes and could be classed as the Olympics of our sport. The coaching challenges and the opportunities for our athletes in a week-long knock out tournament are quite different from the normal UK competitive fight scene. Competing every day through brackets to the final requires managing energy systems, damage limitation strategies and tactics against the best amateur athletes in the world.
Dan has pledged his support to the development of the EMMAA England team and we can look forward to great insights and strategy development from one of the best minds in MMA.
Following on from the meeting we headed to Hardy Wallhead where Dan put some of the amateur fight team members through a striking and space and distance management session in the cage, followed by some rounds of specific ground sparring. We also had an opportunity to watch Hardy Wallhead Coach “Judo” Jimmy Wallhead share a series of takedowns and foot sweeps from the clinch with the fighters.
The great news is that Dan and Jimmy have both offered to run a session for the England squad, date to be confirmed!
An overall strategic plan for the growth and success of the England team at the IMMAF Championships and in the development of MMA in England is critical for our success on the World stage and in aligning with Sport England for the future. EMMAA continues to move forward, building the future of MMA in England!