Description
Welcome to the Mixed Martial Arts Society
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All the important links to buy membership, socials tickets, training and Give It A Go! tickets are on our linktree.
Your first training session is always free.
Book sessions here.
Bristol MMA society after training outside for a boxing seminar by International Martial Arts Coach Danilo Dourado. (Front row left to right: Coach Massoud, Coach Saeed Esmaeli, Coach Danilo Dourado)
What is MMA?
Mixed Martial Arts is an exciting combat sport that combines the best techniques from various martial arts to create something brand new. Whether you want to punch like a boxer, throw elbows and knees like a Muay Thai fighter, take down your opponent like a wrestler, or use grappling and submissions from Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA will teach you how to do it all. Our friendly and supportive sessions are open to everyone regardless of skill level or experience. You can learn some practical self defence skills, try your hand at competition, or get in better shape in a fun and dynamic way. If you have always wanted to start a martial art, but never knew which one to pick, or want to radically improve your fitness and self-confidence, then MMA is for you!
Introducing your coaches
Our head coach, Saeed Esmaeli, has 3 decades of experience teaching MMA and grappling to everyone from complete beginners to elite competitors at the highest level of competition, following his own career as both a high-level freestyle wrestler and jazz dancer. His movement-focused approach to coaching martial arts makes each training session an exciting challenge, and through his years in the combat sports world he has secured guest seminars for the club ranging from elite combat athletes to UFC competitors and Olympic medallists!
Membership options
- £90 whole year membership - covers all mixed sessions included for the year and access to discounted socials.
- Coming soon: £75 kit bundles (£165 total). This includes MMA gloves, shinguards, a mouthguard and a groin guard.
- £10 social membership - Join the MMA family and get access to all our socials, including UFC watch parties, half price competition tickets, and more! Pay as you go mixed sessions at just £4 per session.
- £15 Bristol Bursary membership - if you are a low income student and/or recipient of the Bristol Bursary, you are eligible for our £15 low income membership which covers all mixed training sessions for the year and access to our socials.
Note: you do not need a membership to attend Womxn's Only classes. These are FREE through B:Active and can be booked on the Sports Booking Portal.
We don't ever want the cost of membership to stop new people joining our society; if you would like support with joining please contact us at uobmixedmartialarts@gmail.com.
Training sessions
Mixed Sessions
These sessions are open to everyone, regardless of gender or physical ability. Attendance at the mixed sessions requires MMA Society membership after your first taster session. Society membership also allows reduced training fees for Coach Saeed's external 'Infused Wrestling' training sessions, held at St Gregory the Great Church in Horfield, which offers MMA classes once a week and freestyle/greco-roman wrestling classes twice a week, with regular guest coaching and seminars from world-class athletes in MMA, wrestling and BJJ.
Mixed Open Mat
This year, we've secured a weekly open mat slot shared with Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. This is recommended for experienced members: coaches won't be present, but you can go to spar or practice techniques with other people or societies.
Friendly reminder that gloves, mouthguard, shinguards and a groin guard are required when sparring.
Womxn's Only MMA
The free Womxn’s Only MMA sessions are designed for all womxn (inclusive of non-binary people), regardless of ability, to learn and get fit in a safe space. These sessions focus on both the fundamentals of martial arts practice and the more intermediate-advanced moves. This class is suitable for people interested in both the self-defence and sporting elements of MMA - this theme runs through the training, and the majority of moves can also be applied to emergency situations. This session is run through the university programme B:Active, so a regular MMA Society membership is NOT required to attend.
Training times for 2024/25
- Mixed session: Tuesdays 9-11PM
- Mixed session: Saturdays 1:30-3PM
- Open mat (shared with BJJ and Muay Thai): Mondays 11AM-1PM
- Womxn's only session: Saturdays 12-1:30PM
All sessions take place in the Bristol SU Carpenter Room, Richmond Building (AccessAble information here).
Seminars
We aim to host 3 seminars from visiting professionals in the martial arts world. We've previously enjoyed seminars from Fabrizio Calio (BJJ black belt under Roger Gracie and pro MMA fighter), Dan Sarkozi (a Bristol-based boxing coach and former professional boxer) and Jahi Jones and Jordan Murphy (HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Wrestling, Black Wrestling Association).
Socials
We're still planning this year's socials but you can expect to see more pubbing and clubbing, big formals and everyone's favourite - our UFC watch parties! Keep an eye on our social media for the latest and if you have any socials you'd like to see materialise, let us know and we'll make it happen.
Competitions
We aim to host one home competition and visit one away every year. Competing is a great opportunity to put your training into practice in a more intense environment. In the runup to competition we support you every step of the way by putting on more training sessions and making sure you're prepared physically and mentally in order to enter the ring safely.
Our 2024/25 Committee
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Captain: Eddie Norbury - he/him
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Vice-Captain: Dom Beach - he/him
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Treasurer: Rishi Tyagi - he/him
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Womxn's Captain: Caroline Morris - she/her
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer: Rebecca Courtenay - she/her
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Secretary: Oliver Marks - he/him
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Competition Officers: Duncan Hallum, Rufus Nicolson - he/him, he/him
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Social Secretaries: Ted Parry, Kamila Chamcham, Jonny Tennent - he/him, she/her, he/him
FAQs
1. Do I have need to have done martial arts before? No experience is necessary. All our classes are mixed ability and a lot of our members have never done martial arts before coming to uni. In fact, starting from a blank slate can be advantageous because there are no bad habits to knock out.
2. What do I wear to sessions? Bring your happy selves, plenty of water, and your favourite clean gym clothes. Be prepared to train barefoot and leave your ego at the door!
3. Is there sparring in sessions? Although sparring is actively encouraged because it's one of the best ways to learn how to apply MMA, we will never force you to spar if you do not feel comfortable doing so. If you would like to spar, 8oz gloves, mouthguards, shinguards and groin guards* are required.
*Groin guards are optional for women.
4. Do I need to be fit to take part? Absolutely not; train at your own pace and have fun!
5. I have some more questions; who can I talk to? Contact one of our committee members (email addresses above) or drop us a DM on Instagram/Facebook. We'll always be happy to help.
Contact Us
Follow us on social media for updates & to get in touch if you have any further questions about joining MMA!
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Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Terms of participation
The University of Bristol Mixed Martial Arts Society creates a supportive open exercise space where we can feel comfortable, in our own clothes, to progress in our way. Our members enjoy training in a respectful environment that is free from body-shaming language, pick-up lines and judgements about who they are and what they can achieve. We hope that this sounds all good to you. By coming to the gym and training with us, you agree to uphold our principles.
Waiver of liability
I hereby understand and acknowledge that the training, programs and events held by the University of Bristol Mixed Martial Arts Society may expose me to many inherent risks, including accidents, injury, illness, or even death.
I/We assume all risk of injuries associated with participation including, but not limited to, falls, contact with other participants, effects of the weather, including high heat and/or humidity, and all other such risks being known and appreciated by me.
I/We hereby acknowledge my responsibility in communicating any physical and psychological concerns that might conflict with participation in activity. I/We acknowledge that I am physically fit and mentally capable of performing the physical activity I choose to participate in.
After having read this waiver and knowing these facts, and in consideration of acceptance of my participation and the University of Bristol Mixed Martial Arts Society furnishing services to me, I agree, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, to hold harmless, waive and release the University of Bristol Mixed Martial Arts Society, its officers, agents, employees, organizers, representatives, and successors from any responsibility, liabilities, demands, or claims of any kind arising out of my participation in the University of Bristol Mixed Martial Arts Society training, programs and/or events.
By my signature I/We indicate that I/We have read and understand this Waiver of Liability. I am aware that this is a waiver and a release of liability and I voluntarily agree to its terms.
Bristol SU Terms & Conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
