ATT MMA Level 1 Certification

[MartialDirect.com]

American Top Team has recently instituted a new certification program geared towards traditional schools. It is a Mixed Martial Arts program that can be integrated into a school's existing curriculum.

It has been criticized by many of the existing MMA schools because the program is taught in a 3-day seminar setting. The argument is that someone with no MMA experience can go thru this program and then teach MMA with the blessings and advertising backing of ATT. Not officially as an "affiliate", but the impression of the affiliation is still there.

I know this doesn't get into all the issues, but should serve as a discussion starter at least.

What are your thoughts on this? Is this a good thing? Bad thing? Inevitable? Should there be certification in MMA?

[J_ROD_573]

Wow! There is no better way to become a McDojo! This may be a great program if used correctly. By being used correctly I mean a "Certified Instructer" that has knowlege of MMA not just upcoming UFC events. Like it or not ATT has had some success. Personally as far as my "school" goes, I think it is a big mistake. MMA is a big business. The market is huge. But,I think that piggybacking off of the Ultimate Fighter hype is a double edged sword. It may bring in new members but most are looking for the next big thing. Here today, found out it is not as easy as it looks on tv, gone tommorrow. It is one thing to cater to the bright eyed UFC hopefulls, but will it be at the cost of your current student clientele? We'll have to wait and see.