Webb MMA Teaches to the Reality of the Self Defense on the Streets

Concerns about personal safety in the public has been a major topic of conversation in the news, on social media and the living rooms and dinner tables throughout the Levittown area recently.

One way for residents to address those concerns and maintain personal safety is through mixed martial arts, Ritchie Webb style.

Webb, owner of Webb Mixed Martial Arts, believes the difference between sport oriented training and combat based self-defense is important for everyone to know.  “I feel it is my responsibility to teach both techniques to my students”, he said.

Webb, with over 15 years of law enforcement experience, has been teaching the art and craft of how to defend oneself at his mixed martial arts school, located at 4350 New Falls Rd – Unit C in Bristol Township.  He explained that while he enjoys teaching the sport aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he is also concerned with preparing students to defend themselves when it comes to the realities of everyday living.

“Out there, no rules apply,” Webb said, motioning to the streets, “What we do inside here trains for those types of situations.  There’s always going to be someone bigger and stronger, but how you react to that person or situation can make the difference.”

Webb began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because he wanted to be pushed outside his comfort zone.  Years in a boxing gym made him proficient in a stand-up situation, but grappling was new to him.  “They’re not going to wait for a bell to ring; I needed a martial art that would prepare me for the realities.  It has allowed me the confidence to handle situations without unnecessary escalation or serious injuries to either person.”

One of Webb’s students, Joe Buonanno, related a recent interaction with a stranger on the streets of Philadelphia, “I was coming out of a building in Center City and there was a pretty big guy, who looked real agitated, and the next thing I know he’s coming at me swinging and yelling. I side step the first punches, used his momentum against him and fended off the attack.”

Buonanno continued, ”The key was that my muscle memory kicked in. What Ritchie has taught kicked in automatically, like it was breathing.  Can’t expect 12 weeks of training to do that for you, that’s why I’ve committed to being here as much as I can.”

“I don’t down play the art.  It’s important to know, understand, and respect.  At the same time, no one is going to care about the science behind the art while competing or in a life-threatening situation. Everyone rolls with everyone in my classes, sometimes just drilling and sometimes at full-speed.  We want our students prepared and ready.” Webb explained pointing to one of his younger students, who attends Bristol High School.

Nate J is evidence that the training at Webb MMA involves practice with all students. Nate is one of Webb’s star pupils and takes sparring with bigger and heavier guys very seriously.  He’s medaled in every tournament he’s competed in, proving Webb’s blend of self-defense and sport is effective. Not much for words, Nate said he comes to train cause, “It’s something to do”, in an almost shy kind of response that doesn’t reveal his inner tenacity and strength displayed as we watched him spar that night.

Gabby Alicia, a young woman in her own right, said she has trained with Webb before and came back because she “missed the contact and challenge of training with Ritchie”Webb, a second degree black belt, doesn’t believe in official titles or being called anything else but his name by his students.  He explains, “We’re always learning, evolving, yet never completely mastering.  This includes me.”

The playful banter between students during breaks attests to the family atmosphere Webb strives to maintain.   “Rule one is to check your ego at the door, we all work together to make one another better both inside and out of these doors”, Webb said.  Webb MMA currently holds classes for ages 12 and up, and will be adding a class for ages 6 – 11.  Give them a private message, email or call for details.

A rash of armed robberies in Bristol Borough has led Ritchie, a Borough resident, to offer a free self -defense class on Sunday, November 2 from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. for the first 3o woman/girls that sign up.  The class at the New Falls Road gym will include demonstrations and instruction on how women can protect themselves in potentially threatening situations.

Webb MMA offers a free trial class to new students! Try us out to see if you want to be a part of the Webb MMA family.
Kids Classes run on Mon/Wed/Fri from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Adult Beginner classes are on Mon/Wed/Fri from 7:45 pm to 8:45 pm.
Adult Intermediate classes are Tues/Thurs from 8:15 pm to 9:45 pm.