How to Start MMA in Melbourne, Even If You Have Never Trained

Walking into a mixed martial arts gym for the first time can feel intimidating. Most people in Melbourne who are curious about training have never thrown a real punch, never shot for a takedown, and quietly worry they will be the least fit person in the room. Here is the truth. Everyone starts somewhere, and the coach you start with changes everything.

Why the coach matters more than the gym

Plenty of gyms will happily take your money and put you in a room. Fewer put you in front of someone who has genuinely tested their craft at the top of the sport. Sotir Kichukov, known in the cage as The Trouble, is recognised as the first Bulgarian to compete in ONE Championship. Before that he became a Bulgarian kickboxing champion, and he later won the Max Fight bantamweight title in his home country. By his own account he has taken part in 31 professional fights across three continents and brings more than 19 years of coaching experience to the mats.

That history matters for one simple reason. A coach who has felt real pressure, real nerves and real setbacks knows how to teach you calmly. Kichukov now coaches at Immersion Mixed Martial Arts in Melbourne, working with complete beginners, everyday professionals and competitive fighters in the same week. He is also the founder of Combat and Performance Training (CPT), a certified ACE personal trainer, and he is studying to become a corrective exercise specialist, so your body is looked after while you learn.

What your first session actually looks like

Forget the myth that you get thrown to the wolves on day one. A good first session is structured and welcoming.

• A gentle warm up that loosens your joints and lifts your heart rate.
• Simple movement drills, stance and footwork, so you feel balanced rather than stiff.
• Basic striking on the pads or basic grappling positions, taught slowly and repeated until they click.
• Plenty of water breaks and zero pressure to spar.

You will make mistakes, and that is the point. Kichukov teaches readiness and resilience through setbacks, the idea that staying prepared and calm is a skill you build rep by rep. You leave tired, a little sweaty and usually smiling.

What to bring to your first class

• Comfortable athletic clothing you can move and sweat in, such as shorts and a fitted shirt.
• A large water bottle.
• A small towel.
• Clean bare feet for the mats, or ask for a note on footwear when you book.
• An open mind and no ego.

You do not need your own gloves or wraps to try a class. Turn up, and the rest is handled.

MMA or striking, where should you begin

A common question is whether to start with striking or full mixed martial arts. The honest answer is that a complete fighter needs both, and Kichukov coaches the full range: kickboxing, boxing, wrestling and grappling, all folded into MMA. If you love the idea of clean punches and kicks, you might lean into the striking work first. If you are drawn to control and technique, grappling may hook you. Either way you build a balanced skill set, sharper movement mechanics and genuine fight IQ over time, with guidance on nutrition to support the work.

How to book your trial

Getting started is straightforward. Kichukov teaches regular classes in Melbourne, including an evening 6pm session that suits people finishing work, and he offers trial sessions so you can feel the coaching before you commit. He describes himself as the flyweight with the highest record in Australia and New Zealand, and that same standard shows up in how carefully he coaches people on their very first day.

Enhancing performance, prehab, rehab and coaching practical martial arts. That is the guiding idea behind CPT, and it shapes every session.

Book a trial session, bring a water bottle, and give yourself one honest hour on the mats. Starting is the hardest part, and in Melbourne you can start with a coach who has already walked the whole path.