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Abraham Viveros
Abstract
[Insert ~150 word project description, summarizing what you have researched]
Keywords: [Insert 2-3 search terms that others might use to search for your research]
This project is researching whether or not mixed martial arts helps better your lifestyle.
Interviews were conducted on people who attend a gym where they are taught several different
fighting skills. The owners of the gym, as well as the coaches were interviewed and asked if they
My topic of research was mixed martial arts. I hope to find out whether or not learning
fighting skills and mixed martial arts helps you have a better lifestyle. Through the interview
process, I wished to discover that the learning of mixed martial arts have been beneficial to them
personally, among other aspect of their life. Can people actually tie in what they’re doing in the
gym to other things as well? Do they know that they have to work as hard to accomplish their
goals as how they work while practicing in the gym? Hopefully, this research will help me
answer my question
1. Why do you think teaching jiu jitsu to other people is important? In what aspects do you
think it benefits them in their life?
“General Inquiry/Observation Questions” :
1. Why do you think teaching jiu jitsu to other people is important? In what aspects do you
think it benefits them in their life?
2. What is the main thing the people that come here should learn?
3. How often should someone assist to classes in order to actually benefit from coming?
4. What is one object that you think is of really high value to your group? It can be
functional, symbolic, or otherwise.
“Interview Questions for Specific People”
In this section you will list the specific places, people, objects, activities, and events
important to your research. Beyond merely listing the sites of your inquiry, you should note
You will conduct a hands-on investigation of objects and artifacts to discover their significance
to the group. Their value may be functional, symbolic, or otherwise. This section might include
prepared questions and selected responses, descriptive observation notes, and a reflection on how
the objects that you’ve observed represent the community you are studying.
Part 1, Summarize the experience, including responses and notes (~200 words):
As I conducted my interview I noticed that there were two objects that the mixed martial
arts community values highly. The first object I noticed people considered to be of high value
was the octagon. I noticed that the sparring takes place inside the octagon only. I saw how
excited the fighters were to be able to be inside the octagon and have a hard battle with another
fighter. I noticed how the octagon had safety pads on its corners, and the mat was well taken care
of. The octagon is the safest place for the fighting to happen.
The second object that they thought was of high value was a jiu jitsu black belt. I noticed
how rarely anyone had a black belt. The only people that were wearing a black belt were the
masters. The masters are the people who train and guide all the fighters. “Earning a black belt
takes years and lots of hard work,” said Deng. For this reason, the fighters view the jiu jitsu
1. OCTAGON
2. BLACK BELT
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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):
Like I said, as I conducted my interview, I came to find out that there are two objects the
mixed martial arts community values highly. The first object they think of as of high value is the
octagon. As a community, they highly value the octagon because that is the place where they
want to fight. “I think one object of high value is the octagon...that is where everything goes
down.” said one of the students. They prepare highly to be able to go into the octagon, since that
is where the fights actually happen, to have a long, exhausting battle with another person. All the
fighting takes place here since it a safe and controlled environment.The octagon was built in
1993 for the sole purpose of having martial artists fighting there, so you know it’s structure is
The second value the community finds of great value is a jiu jitsu black belt. Hardly
anyone has a jiu jitsu black, since it is the most challenging to acquire. Black belts may take
years to finally obtain. You have to strive to get better everyday and eventually be good enough
to receive it. A black belt means that you have perfected the craft; and are able to teach it back to
others effectively. Like I said, people work hard day in and day out to get better to eventually be
You will conduct an on-site investigation of a location to discover its significance to the group.
This value may be functional, symbolic, or otherwise. This section might include prepared
questions and selected responses, descriptive observation notes, and a reflection on how the
objects that you’ve observed represent the community you are studying.
Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):
Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu gym. This gym serves as a resource for anyone who is interested in learning jiu
jitsu to go and participate. Gracie gyms are very famous because they come from the creator of
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Helio Gracie. Helio wasn’t able to do many of the traditional jiu jitsu
techniques because he had an abnormality with his body, so he modified almost every technique
to create what is now know to be Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The very first gym in the US was opened in
1989 by Rorion Gracie, Helio’s son. Ever since then, many people have tried to join these
academies, which was why many other Gracie jiu jitsu gyms were established. I asked Deng
Kang why he trained there and he responded by saying, “ I heard the Gracie gyms were the best
to ever do it so I came here.” This shows how the founders of the gym play a huge role in its
significance to others.
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3. Mats: The significance of this is that the mats are where everyone practices. All the blood
and sweat that comes out of every fighter falls on the mat and is absorbed.
4. “ I heard the Gracie gyms were the best to ever do it so I came here.” This signifies that
people attend that gym because of its history. Fighters view it as a kind of prestigious
5. Gracie Jiu Jitsu gym: This is significant because the Gracie family invented Brazilian jiu
jitsu so their gyms are really well known across the country.
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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):
Like I said, as I was conducting my research, I visited Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu gym. I decided to
go there because the Gracie Jiu Jitsu gyms have a very famous history. They come from the
family that invented Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They have been known as one the best academies where
you could go to learn jiu jitsu. When they first came to the US, a very large amount of people
wanted to join. Since there was too many people trying to join, more academies opened up.
When I talked to one of the fighters at the gym, he said he wanted to train there because it was
thought to be as one of the best. Fighters view Gracie jiu Jitsu gyms as a prestigious place to go
and learn new fighting skills. I asked other students why they chose to attend that gym as well,
and they all had similar answers. Them knowing the history of the Gracie family and the history
of the gyms plays a symbolic role and impacts their decision greatly.
The students there also acknowledged how they immediately felt welcome when they
first went there. They commented on how friendly the masters were, and how they introduced
them to the others who had already been attending. The friendly and open environment they felt
helped them adapt and focus greater on learning new fighting skills.
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You will conduct an on-site observation of an event or activity to discover its significance to the
group. Their value may be functional, symbolic, or otherwise. This section might include
prepared questions and selected responses, descriptive observation notes, and a reflection on how
the objects that you’ve observed represent the community you are studying.
Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):
I attended a UFC event here in Glendale back in April. I was really interested in going
because I have always been a fan of mixed martial arts. While I was there, I was surprised by
how many people were in attendance. I thought the arena was not going to be that full, since the
people who were fighting were not that famous, but I was wrong. Everyone was really excited to
be there, and since the beginning of the event, everyone was cheering. The atmosphere inside
I observed how mostly every fighter seemed pretty nervous while making their way down
to the octagon. I saw how they had a serious expression on their face and just looking straight
ahead, trying to focus only on themselves and their opponent. Every fighter was checked by a
staff before going inside the octagon to make sure they had nothing hidden inside their gloves or
their mouths that could help enhance their performance. Once they did this, the fighters would go
inside and do their own thing while they announced their names. I observed how their
expressions changed once they were inside and heard everyone cheering them on. Once their
fights ended, every one of the fighters went to their opponents, gave them a hug, and
6. The crowd was really pumped since the beginning of the event. The significance of this is
that even though the fighters were not so well known, the people were still excited to
7. The fighters seemed nervous as they made their way to the octagon.The significance of
this is that although fighters have a lot of experience, they still are not extremely
comfortable when they go out to fight. This shows that they still love what they do and
8. The fighters were checked before going inside the octagon.The signifies how the sport is
extremely against cheaters, and how they care for their fighters.
9. The fighters hugged each other and congratulated each other after the fight. This
significance of this is that each fighter respects one another for what they do. They
understand they also put their bodies through gruesome pain and sacrifice a lot.
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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):
At this event, I was able to see real mixed martial arts fights happen in person rather than
just watching them on television. I have been a fan of mma for as long as I can remember
because of the mental toughness, the hard work, and the discipline to be able to be good at it.
Fighters have always impressed me, which was one of the reasons why I decided to do my
Like I said, most of the fighters looked nervous as they made their way to the arena. I
think this was because they knew they were going to have a war inside that octagon and knew
they had to be on their very best to come out victorious. They showed no emotions to prevent
from showing any hint of intimidation to their opponent. As soon as their opponent saw any sign
of weakness, they would know that they were inside their head and gain a large amount of
confidence.
Inside the octagon, all the hard work they had been putting in to every practice and
dedication would pay off. It was there when they would be able to display their skills and give
everything they had. I saw how the fighters would take powerful hits and still keep going
forward because they absolutely refused to lose. This level of persistence amazed me. These
fighters were putting their bodies through hell. I knew that if they could withstand long hours of
practices everyday and go through a painful battle with someone else, they could do anything. I
think the fighters have learned to use that determination, and that work ethic to other aspects of
You will conduct an interview and/or survey of people representative of the group you are
researching. Their value may be functional, symbolic, or otherwise. This section might include
prepared questions and selected responses, descriptive observation notes, and a reflection on how
the objects that you’ve observed represent the community you are studying.
Part 1, Summarize the observation, including responses and notes (~200 words):
When I conducted my research, I questioned Deng about his masters. I asked him if he
thought what his masters were teaching him helped him better aspects of his life other than just
his fighting skills. Deng said, “ I think jiu jitsu betters other aspects of your life too, … for
example, jiu jitsu teaches you to have more discipline.” Another thing I asked him was whether
or not his masters showed that they care for him and the rest of the students attending the Gracie
Jiu Jitsu gym. I also asked him whether his masters treated everyone equally or just focused on
the students that showed they had great potential and improved rapidly. To this, Deng responded
by saying that his masters were very professional instructors that wanted to help everyone learn
at their pace and were willing to stay after if someone needed them to. Deng had nothing bad to
say about his masters and the rest of the gym staff, which means that they are doing their job
pretty well.
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10. I think jiu jitsu betters other aspects of your life too, … for example, jiu jitsu teaches you
to have more discipline.” The significance of this is that Deng understands that mma not
only teaches you fighting skills, but it also helps you learn moral lessons.
11. Deng had nothing bad to say about his masters. The significance of this is that his
instructors do their job well, and are fair with every student. This contributes to helping
your learning.
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Part 3, Reflect on the process, occurrences, and results of this research, including inferences
about the significance of your observations and interview responses. (~300 words):
found out that he went because of the gym’s history and because of who created it. As I talked
more with him, he told me how his masters were the reason why he stayed. He said their
welcoming behavior and openness convinced him that he was at the right place. For example, at
the end of every week, the masters give a speech thanking everyone for putting in hard work and
for attending the classes, and then invite the students to go out to eat together. By doing this, the
masters are helping new students that come in get closer with the rest of the students attending
the jiu jitsu classes also. The amicable behavior that they portray and the encouraging
environment they promote make the gym have a very positive vibe to it.
He confessed how he felt very comfortable with the other students there, and didn’t mind
asking for help when it was needed because he knew his masters would help him. By saying this,
it made me understand that it is very important to have good instructors when trying to learn
something new. Being able to feel comfortable enough to ask for help and guidance plays a huge
role in your learning. Deng not only saw his masters as the people teaching him a new fighting
skill, but he also saw them as friends who were helping him better his life by finding an outlet to
channel all the stress he has going around throughout his day.
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I already had some knowledge of mixed martial arts. It has always been something that
has caught my attention. I liked the toughness that is required to be able to take part in it, and all
the sacrifices you need to make. I decided to do my research on this project because I wanted to
experience the atmosphere of the environment. I did not like, however, how I had to go out of
my comfort zone and ask people for interviews, in order to find out if mixed martial arts helps
you better your lifestyle. My observations helped me come to the conclusion that practicing
mixed martial arts do help you better your lifestyle. Practicing mixed martial arts helps you learn
to be a hard worker, to never quit, and it teaches you discipline. These are some attributes that
you can apply to other aspects of your life, not just fighting.
I wanted to figure out if mixed martial arts helped your overall lifestyle, and if so, why?
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References
http://www.gracieacademy.com/history.asp