PRIDE Program Background

What is mixed martial arts?

The structured concept behind MMA has been around for hundreds of years. However, it is only in the last fifteen years or so that the term MMA has been tied to the sport of ultimate fighting. This is even more so in the last two-three years. Unlike twenty years ago, today someone says MMA and most people can visualize what it is. Prior to this re-awakening only those in the martial arts really knew what was meant by MMA.

The most recognizable pre-UFC mixed martial artist is Bruce Lee. His concept of Jeet Kune Do is based on merging the best techniques from multiple styles. In last few hundred years, many of the classical styles founded in Okinawa, Japan, and other Asian countries were developed through the merging of different martial styles, techniques, and concepts. 

The PRIDE program

The concept behind the PRIDE program was developed by Jason Porter. Jason is a lifelong martial artist having studied some aspect of martial arts for 30 years. He is a Partner at Power of One Sport MMA and Fitness, the supporting school for the PRIDE program. Jason has always had a connection to the martial arts and approached the study of martial arts from a scientific prospective. This approach and his never ending thirst to learn the philosophies, concepts, and techniques of other martial styles have led him on a fantastic journey. Combine this strong love of the martial arts with his passion for teaching others and his passion for helping youth attain their goals and you have the birth of the PRIDE program.

During his many years of teaching mixed martial arts he has coached many individuals of all ages. He has coached at-risk teens, ADD/ADHD children, children and adults with many different physical, emotional, and mental handicaps, college students, blue-collar, white-collar, professional fighters, former Olympians and many others. However, the one group of people he felt most connected to were the kids that are just outside the edge of mainstream society, those that are being bullied or those that are doing the bullying; the kids that aren’t part of a team sport, school club, or extra-curricular activity. Those kids that are on the brink of making a bad decision that will impact their lives forever, those that are in the stages of giving up but haven’t yet. These kids need hope, a mentor, a direction and they will soar, without this they will struggle. The mixed martial arts have always had an impact on these individuals, however MMA that is tied to an overall program like PRIDE will have even greater, more amazing results.