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BJJ vs. Muay Thai: Which Martial Art Should You Start With?

BJJ and Muay Thai are two incredible forms of martial arts. Each offers a unique approach to combat and personal development. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu centers around grappling and ground control. It’s also more about submissions. These factors make it ideal for individuals who prefer strategy and technique over brute force. On its part, Muay Thai emphasizes powerful striking. This is usually done using fists and knees. It can also be achieved by implementing elbows and shins.…

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From Canvas to Mat: How BJJ and Muay Thai Transform Your Body

BJJ and Muay Thai aren’t just about fighting. In addition to this, learning these two can really transform your body. The two arts build strength and endurance. They also promote flexibility and confidence.  You could be grappling on the mat. You may also be striking on the canvas. Regardless of the movement, you can be sure that it will challenge your muscles. It will also put your cardio to the test and sharpen your mental…

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Ground and Pound: Combining BJJ Control with Muay Thai Striking

Combat sports have been in existence for thousands of years now. Each form has its own unique philosophies and techniques. For instance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) emphasizes leverage and control. It also requires participants to master the ground game with submissions and positional dominance. On its part, Muay Thai is revered for its devastating strikes. This is done mostly using fists and elbows. Knees and shins are also be implemented.  These two disciplines can be blended…

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Canvas to Mat: Cross-Training BJJ and Muay Thai for MMA Success

I still remember my first MMA fight. Twenty seconds in, my carefully practiced boxing combinations vanished from memory as my opponent shot for my legs. Six months of striking practice, useless in an instant. That humbling experience taught me what veterans already knew: in this sport, you’re only as good as your weakest discipline. When Worlds Collide: The BJJ and Muay Thai Synergy Picture this: You’re landing crisp jabs and devastating leg kicks from your…

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Master the Clinch: Where BJJ Ground Control Meets Muay Thai

The first time I felt truly helpless in a fight wasn’t when I was mounted or caught in a submission. It was standing up, trapped in a clinch with someone who knew exactly what they were doing. I couldn’t strike effectively, couldn’t escape, and found myself stuck in that uncomfortable no-man’s-land where neither my boxing nor my basic wrestling seemed to work. That moment changed how I approached martial arts forever. The Invisible Battlefield Most…

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From Novice to Competitor: Tacoma’s BJJ Journey for All Ages

I still remember the weight of uncertainty that first evening. Standing barefoot at the edge of the mat, dressed in a borrowed gi that smelled faintly of someone else’s journey, watching bodies flow in choreographed chaos across the floor. The blue belt who’d convinced me to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu had made it look effortless. Now, witnessing the live training before my first class, nothing about it seemed simple. That was four years ago. What began…

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Local Legends: How Tacoma’s BJJ Scene is Creating Champion Grapplers

The first time I walked into Tacoma Combat Club, I wasn’t expecting much. It was 2018, raining (obviously), and the converted warehouse on Puyallup Avenue didn’t exactly scream “home of champions.” The faded sign, the rusted door—it all felt like a thousand other martial arts gyms I’d visited. Then Ray Sanchez caught me in the smoothest arm bar I’d ever experienced, and I realized I’d stumbled into something special. “Welcome to Tacoma jiu-jitsu,” he grinned,…

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Compete Ready: A Guide for Marysville BJJ Athletes

For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in Marysville, the journey from regular training to competition readiness involves more than just drilling techniques. Our growing BJJ community has seen incredible progress over the past few years, with more local athletes stepping onto competition mats across Washington State and beyond. Whether you’re training at Triumph BJJ, Summit Martial Arts, or one of our other excellent local academies, this guide will help you navigate the path from everyday rolling to…

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From White to Blue Belt: What New Marysville BJJ Student Should Know

Picture this: It’s Tuesday night in Marysville, you’ve just finished your first BJJ class, and you’re lying on your couch wondering why your fingers feel like they’ve arm-wrestled a gorilla. Welcome to the club! After spending years on these mats (and yes, getting my butt handed to me more times than I can count), let me share what nobody else will tell you about starting BJJ in our little corner of Washington. The Real First…

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Why Marysville’s BJJ Scene Is The Pacific Northwest’s Hidden Gem

Between the endless drizzle and the shadow of Seattle’s larger academies, Marysville’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community has been quietly building something special. While the big names in Bellevue and downtown Seattle grab the headlines, this scrappy little city north of Everett is proving that great BJJ can grow anywhere – even in the constant Pacific Northwest rain. The Perfect Storm of Growth Small Town, Big Dreams Most folks driving up I-5 might miss Marysville completely, but…

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