Advanced Guard Recovery Techniques: Never Get Passed Again
April 11, 2025
Whether you’ve been training at Ground Control Palm Beach for a few years or rolling regularly in the advanced classes, you’ve probably realized by now
So, you’ve been grinding away in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, building your technique, sharpening your guard, and maybe collecting a few stripes—or even belts—along the way. Now, you’re wondering what it would be like to step into the cage and test yourself in MMA. First off—huge respect. That’s no small decision. And second—you’re in the right place.
At Ground Control Palm Beach, we’ve helped dozens of athletes make the jump from pure grappling to well-rounded MMA fighters, and we’re here to walk you through what it really takes.
You already have one of the most important tools in your MMA toolkit: the ground game. BJJ is absolutely vital in modern MMA. It helps you control where the fight goes, dominate in scrambles, and finish fights when the opportunity arises. But the cage is a different animal.
In BJJ, you can pull guard, stay on your back, and work for submissions at your own pace. In MMA, punches change everything. Suddenly, being flat on your back isn’t a comfortable spot—it’s dangerous.
Your BJJ will always be a tremendous asset, but to make the jump to MMA, you’ll need to rewire how and when you use it.
This is often the biggest mental and physical adjustment for grapplers. In the beginning, striking feels awkward, and let’s be real, no one enjoys getting punched. But learning to stay calm under pressure, move your head, and fire back is essential.
At Ground Control, we focus on striking systems that work in real fights—Muay Thai, boxing, and dirty boxing in the clinch. You’ll learn how to close the distance, defend yourself on the feet, and set up takedowns with your hands.
And yes, you’ll get hit. But you’ll also learn how to take a shot, recover, and stay in the fight. It’s all part of the process.
You might be a beast in grappling class and holding your own in striking, but MMA isn’t about doing one or the other—it’s about blending them together.
This is what we drill constantly in our MMA practices: how to strike into takedowns, how to wrestle out of clinches, how to transition from ground and pound to submission attempts. The flow between striking and grappling is what makes MMA beautiful—and brutal.
You won’t just be a BJJ athlete anymore. You’ll become a complete mixed martial artist.
Here’s a little secret most grapplers don’t realize until they spar: MMA cardio is different. Wrestling into a cage, shooting takedowns, and throwing punches while defending them drains you fast.
That’s why we condition our fighters with MMA-specific drills—shark tanks, bag sprints, wall work, ground and pound rounds. You’ll build explosive power and the ability to push through when you’re exhausted.
Your gas tank might feel fine in a 5-minute roll, but in the cage, every second is a sprint. Get ready to level up your conditioning.
Let’s be real—MMA is intense. You’re dealing with adrenaline, nerves, and a real opponent trying to hurt you. That’s why mindset and strategy are just as important as technique.
At Ground Control, we don’t just coach you on what to do—we coach you on how to think. Cage awareness, corner communication, fight pacing, reading opponents, staying composed under pressure—all of that is part of your evolution as a fighter.
Whether you’re in your amateur debut or gunning for the pros, the mental side can make or break you. We’ll help you build the kind of mindset that keeps fighting smart, even when the heat is on.
One of the biggest advantages of making the transition at Ground Control Palm Beach? You’re not doing this alone.
Our team includes experienced MMA fighters, seasoned BJJ black belts, striking coaches, and training partners who’ve been exactly where you are. You’ll get real sparring, honest feedback, and a support system that pushes you to grow without letting ego get in the way.
Whether your goals are amateur competition, pro fights, or just testing yourself in a new way, we’re here to guide you.
Taking your BJJ from the mats to the cage isn’t about abandoning what you know—it’s about expanding it. With the right mindset, the right coaching, and the right training partners, you’ll grow into a more dangerous, more complete athlete.
So if you’re ready to trade the gi for gloves, we’re ready to help you take that step.
Train hard. Train smart. Train with Ground Control Palm Beach.
Whether you’ve been training at Ground Control Palm Beach for a few years or rolling regularly in the advanced classes, you’ve probably realized by now
Every dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner will, at some point, experience a plateau. It’s that tough phase where progress feels stagnant, your go-to techniques aren’t landing
Preparing for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or striking tournament goes beyond just training hard—it requires discipline, strategy, and a well-rounded approach to both physical and mental
© All Rights Reserved. Ground Control Palm Beach