Our mixed martial arts (MMA) program integrates Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Sansho, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and Boxing to provide a well-rounded martial arts education. This diverse approach ensures that students develop skills in striking, grappling, and overall combat strategy.
This multifaceted training approach ensures that students become well-versed in various martial arts techniques, improving their overall fighting abilities and adaptability in any combat situation. Our experienced instructors provide a safe, supportive, and challenging environment, helping students grow and succeed in their martial arts journey.
Muay Thai, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” is a powerful striking martial art that uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. It emphasizes strong, close-range strikes and clinch work, making it ideal for controlling opponents in close combat. This discipline builds striking power, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular endurance, allowing fighters to maintain strength and control throughout a match.
At Hicks MMA, our Muay Thai training includes combinations, pad work, bag drills, and controlled sparring exercises to improve timing, accuracy, and overall combat effectiveness. In addition to physical strength, Muay Thai cultivates mental resilience and discipline, helping practitioners stay focused under pressure. With Muay Thai training, fighters develop an ability to deliver effective strikes from various angles, creating a versatile stand-up fighting base. By enhancing both offense and defense through Muay Thai, students at Hicks MMA gain the necessary skills for competitive MMA and self-defense.
Kickboxing combines boxing and karate-based techniques, focusing on stand-up fighting, footwork, and defensive maneuvers. This dynamic martial art improves speed, agility, and balance, essential for MMA fighters who rely on quick, effective strikes.
Hicks MMA’s kickboxing program includes intensive drills to develop both offensive and defensive skills. Through structured combinations of punches and kicks, students learn to strike precisely and evade attacks. Kickboxing also enhances coordination and muscle endurance, allowing fighters to maintain control in prolonged matches. Regular practice builds confidence in striking, enabling students to deliver fast, accurate hits while defending themselves effectively. Kickboxing is a vital addition to an MMA skill set, providing fighters with refined reflexes and the agility needed for high-level competition.
Sanshou, or Sanda, is a Chinese martial art combining kickboxing with throws, takedowns, and sweeps. It offers a balanced approach to striking and grappling, making it ideal for MMA’s varied demands. Sanshou emphasizes fluid transitions between strikes and takedowns, allowing fighters to handle both stand-up and ground situations.
Hicks MMA’s Sanshou program covers striking, balanced footwork, and effective throws. Practitioners engage in realistic combat drills to adapt to different fighting styles, honing quick reflexes. Training in Sanshou also enhances strategic thinking, preparing fighters to respond swiftly and counter effectively. This versatility strengthens fighters’ adaptability, making Sanshou a comprehensive foundation for MMA combat, where flexibility is key.
Judo is a Japanese martial art focused on throws and ground control, emphasizing the use of leverage and balance to overpower opponents. With Judo’s techniques, fighters can take down and control opponents efficiently in close combat, a vital skill for MMA.
At Hicks MMA, Judo training involves drills for various throws, breakfalls, and ground holds. Fighters learn to use opponents’ movements to their advantage, enabling effective counters. Judo also fosters mental discipline, helping practitioners think strategically under pressure. Integrating Judo into MMA builds control and skill in close-range situations, giving fighters a strategic edge in grappling exchanges.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground-fighting art focused on submissions, control, and leverage, ideal for gaining dominance regardless of size or strength. BJJ’s joint locks and chokeholds are crucial for MMA ground control, emphasizing technique over power.
At Hicks MMA, BJJ training includes takedowns, positional control, and live sparring. Practitioners gain practical experience, learning to analyze opponents and apply techniques effectively. BJJ builds problem-solving skills, patience, and resilience, essential for handling intense ground combat situations. As a foundational discipline for MMA, BJJ provides the tools to control opponents on the ground, completing a fighter’s skill set for competitive and self-defense contexts.
Boxing focuses on punches, footwork, and defensive strategies. It is an essential component of striking skills in MMA, enhancing hand-eye coordination, speed, and defensive tactics. Through boxing, fighters develop precision, timing, and the ability to read an opponent’s movements. These skills are crucial for avoiding strikes, creating openings, and capitalizing on an opponent’s weaknesses.
At Hicks MMA, our boxing training involves rigorous drills that improve both offensive and defensive techniques. Students practice combinations on bags, mitt work, and sparring sessions that teach them how to manage distance and control their pace. Additionally, boxing builds endurance and strength, allowing fighters to maintain peak performance even in extended bouts.
Our boxing program not only strengthens physical skills but also cultivates mental discipline and resilience. By focusing on strategy and concentration, students learn to remain calm and react quickly in high-pressure situations. This skill set makes boxing a powerful tool within MMA, where precision and control can determine the outcome of a fight.
My 6-year-old son has been training BJJ and boxing at Hicks MMA for a year now. We have seen an astronomical increase in his self-confidence that began within a month of training. He is much more respectful of others, and his overall attitude has drastically improved. Coach Gavin and Coach Hicks are simply amazing with the kids! Their instruction is much more than just martial arts; they make our kids better human beings, and we have been treated like family since day one. If you’re looking for a gym for yourself or your child to train in martial arts, look no further than Hicks MMA. The culture, cleanliness, inclusiveness, and knowledge of the sport is absolutely top-tier.
I have been training in boxing at Hicks for 11 months and just love this school! Coach and his staff work to help you advance in your skills and truly care about each student. The training also challenges you to improve your cardio and strength training. I definitely recommend starting your training here if you are wanting some boxing skills or just an amazing workout.
We couldn’t have chosen a BETTER place for our 6-year-old. Everyone in there welcomes you in as a family! You are greeted every day by everyone; the environment is absolutely amazing! Our son looks forward to going to class every day without missing and wants to be there extra early! Within a month, we saw a change in our son, more disciplined, focused, and very respectful. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I have been attending this gym for a little over a month now and cannot be more happy with the progress I’ve made. As an adult with zero MMA experience and a not very active lifestyle prior, I was intimidated to begin a new skill and put myself out there. However, the staff and all coaches are very welcoming, helpful and always try to be fair. I’ve enjoyed both the boxing and jiu-jitsu classes I’ve taken here and am honestly surprised with how accommodating everyone is, even your own classmates! The environment is open, and I have not felt out of place since I started. I highly recommend this gym to anyone who wants to build a new skill or even learn self-defense. You will probably surprise yourself. I know I did!
We love Hicks, our son just turned 5 and has been taking classes for a year now. Coach Gavin has an incredible amount of patience and has given our son great leadership advice that has transpired in his everyday life. Being around like-minded parents that want nothing more than to see their children succeed is a definite plus. Coach Hicks has provided a great space for any child to thrive and build not only technical skills but a strong foundation. Couldn’t recommend Hicks MMA more, truly!
Empowering minds and bodies through martial arts. Join us for skill, confidence, and community at Hicks MMA.
1500 W Hebron Pkwy Ste 104, Carrollton, TX 75010, United States
