Every MMA curriculum looks long from the outside. In practice, beginners learn a small set of techniques first, because everything else is built on top of them.
Here is the short list we start with at ARC MMA, and the reason each one matters.
The short list
Coaches introduce these in this order. You will revisit them constantly, and each class adds one small detail rather than a whole new move.
- Your stance and guard.
- Level changes and basic takedown entries.
- Escapes from the bottom.
- Submission defence and hand fighting.
Why so few
A technique you can perform under pressure is worth ten you have seen on video. Repetition beats variety early on, and a coach would rather see you do three things well than fifteen things badly.
Fall training notes
Fall is the busiest season for new members — schools restart, work routines settle and people finally book the class they have been thinking about all summer.
- Book your classes for the week on Sunday night, not on the day.
- Warm up for two extra minutes if you have been sitting at a desk all day.
- Keep one rest day after your hardest session — recovery is part of the programme.
Common mistakes we see every week
- Rushing to spar. Sparring is the fun part, which is exactly why it comes last. Two or three months of drilling first makes sparring safer and far more useful.
- Training only the fun side. If you love striking, you will avoid the mat. Those are the rounds that expose you later.
- Skipping the warm-up. Five minutes of movement prep is the cheapest injury insurance you will ever buy.
- Holding your breath. Beginners tense up and stop breathing. Exhale on the effort — every time.
A drill you can try between classes
Three-round shadow work. You do not need a partner or a bag for most of this, and it takes about fifteen minutes:
- Round one: hands only. Move, jab, reset.
- Round two: add level changes and a single-leg entry.
- Round three: strike, then finish with a takedown and hold top position for ten seconds.
- Rest one minute between rounds. Three rounds, four times a week.
Training at ARC MMA in Toronto
We run MMA classes at 382 Yonge St in downtown Toronto, two minutes from College Station. Classes are capped at 20 people, coached from start to finish, and open to complete beginners. If you want to see whether it fits, book a free 1-on-1 trial — you will get a coach, a pair of loaner gloves and no sales pitch.
You can see the full timetable on the classes and pricing page, meet the coaches on the trainers page, and check upcoming seminars on the events page.
Frequently asked questions
How long until the techniques feel natural?
Most people feel noticeably more comfortable after six to eight weeks of regular classes.
Do I need to practise at home?
Ten minutes of shadow work between classes makes a real difference, and it is free.
Will I learn advanced techniques?
Yes, once the fundamentals hold up under pressure.
Written by the coaching team at ARC MMA. Questions about this guide? Send us a message or call (416) 450-8020.
Related reading
- What Gear You Actually Need for MMA — October 2026 — What gear you actually need for MMA and what can wait — a no-pressure buying guide from the coaches at ARC MMA.
- How Progress Works in MMA — October 2026 — How progress really works in MMA: the four stages, how coaches assess them, and why the plateau around month t.
- What Gear You Actually Need for MMA — October 2026 — What gear you actually need for MMA and what can wait — a no-pressure buying guide from the coaches at ARC MMA.
Where to go next
Have a look at classes and pricing or book a free trial if you want to try a session. For a wider view of the discipline, UFC Fight Pass is worth following: UFC Fight Pass.
