Tag Archives: MMA mats

How to Save Money on Grappling Mats

In this day and age it has become more important than ever to try and save as much money as possible. This pandemic that we are going through with the corona virus that originated in Wuhan China is causing a lot of economic issues. Although not too many people have lost job in Australia, there in no telling what the future will bring. Companies are definitely struggling and that includes MMA schools and other grappling organisations.

Taking all of this in consideration one would expect that people would want to save money on their grappling mats as well. It is not cheap to buy grappling mats and when you train a lot then you would effect them to wear out faster. Indeed with all these lock downs and such people are training more than ever. I mean there is only so much Netflix that you can watch before you get bored to death. That said it is a good idea to know where to get cheap grappling mats.

What are the different types of grappling mats?

Fortunately they are a few options available when looking at grappling mats. They come in different shapes and sizes which are designed to suit different budgets. Usually it not only depends on what your budget is but also your requirements. Take MMA mats and tatami mats for example. Both of these kind of mats are suitable for grappling but the kind of person that buys each depends on what kind of grappling they partake in. You see usually you would expect a judo person to do for the tatami mats. That is because they have the tatami texture which is a more traditional mat. Also judo guys practice a lot of throws so they need a bit of grip. That is the opposite to the BJJ and MMA guys who tend to go for MMA mats. That is because they spend more time on the ground and therefore try to avoid the mats burn that can come with tatami mats.

Whats the cheapest option for grappling mats?

Fortunately there is a cheaper option when it comes to sourcing your wrestling mats. This comes in the form of EVA mats. EVA mats are an inexpensive option which the vast majority of people take. The great thing is that they come in multiple colours and two different textured finished like the MMA and tatami mats. You have the normal EVA jigsaw Mats and then you have the tatami jigsaw mats. Again both of these training mat options are great. It all depends on what your preference is. One thing is for sure you will save some dollars by going with the EVA jigsaw mat option.

So as you can see there is a lot to consider when choosing your mats. If your budget is one of those things then you got something to think about.

Get to Know Popular Types of MMA Mats

Martial Arts is an entirely full-contact combat sports activity and some injuries are to be anticipated whenever you are getting your lights smacked out by whoever it is that you are up for combating against. Usually, amongst the last things anybody would think about is the flooring. Performing MMA on a hard floor will take its toll on the physical in a few ways. Carrying on forms, running through strategies, or live training on a difficult floor can rapidly wear down your legs, back, as well as your knees.

Whenever getting slammed on the flooring during the course of a throw, severe injury could take place in joints, bones, and your head. You have to have proper matting the training space for the sake of your poor body–hence, it is the most maximum importance. Selecting the ideal mat is crucial, you can purchase quality mats from a top supplier of martial arts mats that are perfect for all sorts of martial arts as well as multi-purpose training.

Wrestling or Folding Mats

These kinds of mats are a lot more popular in use of a wrestling style of martial arts. These choices of matting are smooth, light in weight, simple to clean as well as offer ease in folding or customizing. Created with a level of high impact foam and covered with a protective, non-sticky vinyl, these matting are effective for martial arts styles such as grappling, aikido, jiu-jitsu, and also judo. Fairly a favoured wrestling matting option for the home dojo situation, the foldable mats are compact and can be placed down on the flooring whenever necessary and is just as easy to keep. These mats are able to expand and can conveniently be taped or glued using velcro together to create wider training floors..

Roll Out Mats

The latest sort of mat that has been formulated is a martial art mat or also known as roll-out mat. Roll out matting comprise of solid top surface, and yet a gentler foam surface beneath. This enables the judo practician to maneuver around on the mat, without having their feet to sink in, as well as being in a position to become slammed to the ground. These choice of matting are also the most favoured option for combined martial arts (MMA) training. Home users even like these mats because they are transportable and can be folded up and kept after use.

Competition Landing Mats

If you look for ideal mats designed for high impact landings, you can go with crash pads that have at least two inches of thickness or more for punches. Foldable mats and Crash Pads are around in thicknesses up to twelve inches and are manufactured with long-lasting eighteen oz commercial grade vinyl covers. These are perfect for exercising falls, rolls as well as takedowns.

MMA Jigsaw Mats

Martial arts jigsaw mats are ideal for fitness centres and dojos, large and small. The jigsaw mats are for sale in a number of weights and sizes to accommodate your requirements. They are secure and stimulate stability. Additionally, they are also lightweight, which means you could move the flooring to anywhere it is necessary for competition and training. The jigsaw mats for martial arts are usually found in combat activities such as kickboxing and taekwondo.

There are numerous mats and flooring choices available these days fashioned to make your martial arts training much safer and comfier. Every type of mat has its own design and provides its own purpose. Look no further than Southern Cross Mats to supply you premium quality gym training mats & interlocking jigsaw mats across Australia.

Get to Know Popular Types of MMA Mats

About More Than Just Jigsaw Puzzle Mats

When most people think about gym mats the first thing that comes to mind is Jigsaw Puzzle Mats. That is because gym mats are largely associated with jigsaw puzzle mats in the Australian. People referring to gym mats as jigsaw puzzle mats can be found coast to coast and state to state. That said there is more than just jigsaw puzzle mats out there when it comes to training.

There is barely a city in this country where you will not find a someone of the same opinion. So it is not surprise to find that the name is synonymous with jigsaw puzzle mats considering that they have been the best selling gym mat in the last thirty years.

Gym mats for every occasion

Gym Mats are about more than just jigsaw mats. Much more. The term gym mats or exercise mats encompasses much more than that. There are a lot of different exercise mats out there which I will discuss in this blog today. The first type of mat that I will discuss today is the fold out mats. Fold out mats are just that, they are mats that fold out.

Also know as Foldable mats, the vast majority fold out in three sections and they are generally 180cm long when folded out. Fold out mats and foldable mats come in a variety of colours. Some can even be connected together to mat one big mat. Foldable mats can be used for all sorts of exercise such as yoga, pilates etc.

What about yoga mats?

Another very obvious gym mat is the yoga mat. Yoga Mats are a very common exercise mat and you can literally see people carrying them all over the place. Whilst they are mainly used for yoga they are also used for other activities such as pilates or just general exercise. Yoga mats come in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 10mm to 25mm.

The thicker the mat the more comfortable that are to training. Usually yoga people with more experience use a thinner mat as they are more accustomed to training on a floor. Yoga mats also come made in different materials to accomodate everyones budget.

When it comes to mats there are not just jigsaw puzzle mats. The other kind of gym mats include;

Gymnastics mats

These mats are usually rollout mats which have a felt finish. They vary in widths and lengths. The maximum width is 1.53m but the length can be done to order. They are either be joined together with a velcro tape or they can come with a recessed edge for joining.

MMA mats

Are made with a compressed foam covered in a vinyl material. They come in varies thicknesses but are generally 40mm thick. Whilst the most popular size is 2x1m they also come in 1x1m.

Tatami mats

Tatami mats are the same as the MMA mats except that they come with a traditional tatami finish. They are popular with judo and other Japanese traditional martial arts.

So as you can see when you think about gym mats to can now include a larger variety of mats then you originally thought.

Just Jigsaw Puzzle Mats

Khabib Nurmagomedov Beats Dustin Poirier at UFC 242

Khabib Nurmagomedov beats Dustin Poirier. Khabib Nurmagomedov was able to easily defeat Dustin Piorier at UFC 242. Khalib dominated the fight yet again and was able to submit his opponent in the second round. Following his victory Khalib again lept out of the octagon momentarily terrorising Dana White until he realised he just wanted a hug. How sweet!

Nurmagomedov’s feud with McGregor

Nurmagomedov hadn’t fought in the 11 months since his victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas. That fight was marred by controversy due to his feud with Conor and his entourage. Thankfully there was no such incident this time around and the fight and the event went smoothly. It probably helped that Piorier hadn’t attached a UFC bus before the fight or called Khalib names.

What’s next for the little guy

What is next for Khalib is anyones guess. He will probably head back to the gym and continue his training on his MMA mats as any good fighter would. There is talk that he might fight Nat Diaz or any other similar fighter. So far there is no talk about a rematch with Conor although it can’t be ruled out completely some time in the future. What is certain is that the MMA mat training super star will be ready for a fight when ever it may come.

The UFC has become the dominant MMA fighting forum. Although there are other fighting competitions none has matched the UFC in terms of generating money or fame for its fighters. After this fight Khalib will certainly become one of their most prized fights unmatched by all except Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Beats Dustin Poirier

Nate Diaz Beats Anthony Pettis at UFC241

After three years out of the octagon Nate Diaz has again stamped his name in the UFC arena. In what was his highly anticipated return the UFC, Nate Diaz decisively won an unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) win over Anthony Pettis at UFC 241 on Saturday (Sunday EST).

I for one was confident that Diaz would win which is why in included him in my multi bet at the TAB. Paring Diaz and Miocic in a multi ultimately netted me 6-1 odd. Unfortunately I only place 50 buck so I came away with a modest $315.00.

The win was all the more interesting considering the time Diaz had been out of the fight game. Diaz had not fought since a loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 202 on Aug. 20, 2016. That fight he lost on points after choking out the little guy from Ireland in the previous fight.

In this fight Diaz imposed his will on Pettis early and often, nearly choking him out from the rear after surviving a deep guillotine himself. As well as pounding him with superb strikes, Diaz also was able to control Pettis every time they went to the ground.

What this shows is that even though Diaz hadn’t fought in the ring for three years him training on MMA mats helped keep him in shape. Indeed any kind of training mats would have helped including jigsaw mats. It was not either the MMA mats or jigsaw mats that keep him in shape but gruelling training sessions which are necessary to keep an elite athlete in shape.

The MMA mats and interlocking mats would have helped in so much that they would have made it possible to train longer and harder. The same could be said about any martial arts mats.

What’s next for Diaz we will have to wait and see. There could be a trilogy fight with O’Conor. On the other hand there are quite a few good fighters left in the division that might find themselves in the octagon with Nate. Watch this space fellows!

Nate Diaz Beats Anthony Pettis

US China Trade War and the AUD

After America and China agreed to resume trade talks the Australian Dollar hit a two month high. During the talks Donald Trump agreed not to slap new tariffs on $300billion of Chinese goods including jigsaw mats. The US China trade war is here to stay.

Indeed tariffs on jigsaw mats have been a contentious issue considering the explosion of mixed martial arts in America and other sports they require EVA jigsaw mats.

Trump also said he would not allow American companies to sell products to Huawei which they had been banned from doing too. Huawei buys billions of dollars of chips and other components which are used in their products.

In exchange China’s president agreed to make new purchases of American agricultural products. Amongst the purchases was billions of dollars worth of rice which is the first time the Chinese have purchased rise from USA.

The Actions Of The RBA

In other local financial news the RBA decided to cut interest rates for a second consecutive month. The official rate is now 1% which is the lowest on record. It was also their first back-to-back cut since 2012. There is market consensus that there will be for further cuts in November and February – to 0.5%.

How a country that is extracting record minerals from the ground and posting historic trade surpluses can be in such financial strife is a mystery. Maybe some of our politician need some time on MMA mats where some sense can be talking into them.

US China Trade War

Will Jon Jones Train on MMA Mats or Jigsaw Mats for UFC 239

It has been confirmed that UFC legend Jon Jones will be officially licensed Wednesday to compete at UFC 239 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Jones, who has been fighting to clear his name of doping questions, will defend the UFC light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos in the main event of the July 6 card in Las Vegas USA. In naming Thiago as Jones’ apparent it is clear that the UFC is looking to create a super competitive fight.

Jigsaw Mats versus MMA Mats

The greater question is what kind of mats will Jon Jones use in preparation for this great fight. Will it be MMA mats or will it be jigsaw mats? Although there is no real way for us to know unless we actually go to the gym where Jon Jones trains to check out the mats let just try to imagine which would be best.

The MMA mats are a more durable mat and one would assume that both Jon Jones and his training partners train a lot. Logically if they train so much then there would be a lot of wear and tear occurring on the MMA mats or what ever type of mats they were training on. Therefore a more durable mats such as a MMA mat or even judo mat would seem the best option.

Martial Arts Clubs and MMA Centres

On the other hand jigsaw mats have been a mainstay for martial arts clubs including MMA training centres for years now. That said it could be easily concluded that the gym where Jon Jones trains could likely be using jigsaw mats or EVA mats. I mean these training centres tend to be huge and using jigsaw mats to deck them out would seem to be a great option.

The other possibility is that they use a combination of both. I have seen this before and indeed many of our customers do combine jigsaw mats and MMA mats in there gyms to cut down on costs whilst still maintaining a professional look and feel in their gyms.

New Shipment of Jigsaw Mats, EVA Mats, Tatami Jigsaw Mats

New Shipment of Jigsaw Mats in Sydney

We are happy to announce a new shipment of jigsaw mats arrived to our Sydney warehouse yesterday. It was a 40′ shipping container so we were able to fit quite a number of mats in the container. The EVA mats that came in include. So if you need jigsaw mats in Sydney give is a call. Coming in are:

20mm – T Pattern – Red/Black Jigsaw Mats
20mm – T Pattern – Red/Blue Jigsaw Mats
20mm – T Pattern – Black/Grey Jigsaw Mats
30mm – T Pattern – Red/Black EVA Jigsaw Mats
30mm – T Pattern – Red/Blue EVA Jigsaw Mats
30mm – T Pattern – Black/Grey EVA Jigsaw Mats
40mm – T Pattern – Red/Black EVA Mats
40mm – T Pattern – Red/Blue EVA Mats
40mm – T Pattern – Black/Grey EVA Mats
40mm – T Pattern – Yellow/Black EVA Mats (already sold out)
40mm – Black/ Grey Tatami Jigsaw Mats
40mm – Blue/Red Tatami Jigsaw Mats

Although it may seem like a lot of mats they will sell very fast. It is imperative that you place your order now whilst stock lasts. We don’t want you to be disappointed.

We also have a container which has left the factory on its way to our Melbourne warehouse. That container is not scheduled to arrive for another 3 weeks.

Southern Cross Mats is the premier supplier of jigsaw mats in Sydney. We also sell MMA mats, tatami mats, folding mats, gymnastics mats, wall mats, and gym mats in the Australian market. Our warehouses are located in Sydney and Melbourne for your convenience.

Jigsaw Mats in Sydney

MMA Mats and Tatami Mats Price Rise as AUD Falls

Tatami Mats Price Rise

The trade war between China and America is finally taking its effect on the price of good. The rising prices are not just in America but also in Australia. The strong link between China’s economy and Australia’s has had a profound effect on the Australian dollar with its first casualties being tatami mats and MMA mats. The price of both mats has risen over the past couple of days and is certain to stay there for some time in the future.

China announced that it would raise tariffs on a range of US products in retaliation for an announced rise in US tariffs last week. This tariff will increase from 10% to 25% on $80Billion dollars worth of goods. What effect it will have is anyones guess.

In return Trump has declared that he will be raising tariff on a further $350Billion worth of Chinese goods which will mean almost all the goods imported into USA from China will be subject to tariffs. The effect of the new tariffs was to spook the markets which has been the cause of the decline in the Australian Dollar.

The Australian dollar has been lower. 0.7000 for the past weeks and it declined further overnight. After reaching levels around 0.6915 the immediate reaction was for increased pricing for MMA Mats and tatami mats. The reason for this is because margins on MMA mats and tatami mats is much lower than jigsaw mats.

Jigsaw mats are much cheaper than MMA Mats and jigsaw mats and are much cheaper to ship from China. As such they are more resilient when the local currency drops. That’s not to say that there won’t be price rises for jigsaw mats in the future as well.

Australian Dollar Drops Below $0.70 Will Effect Jigsaw Mats

The Australian Dollar closed below 0.7000 for the AUDUSD rate which was the third in four days. Although there was no Australian data to cause the drop in the dollar, a report from JP Morgan provided solid evidence that sectors such as construction and manufacturing are shedding jobs. Although the renewed negativity coming from US President Donald Trump regarding the trade war with China pushed investors toward the safe haven USD.

This new low for the AUD will put pressure on imported goods. Particularly jigsaw mats and MMA mats which are highly sensitive to fluctuations in the currency markets. There has already been pressure on the price of jigsaw mats and MMA mats for some time. The AUD has been trending below its average value for a while now and recent further drops could final bring the price of training mats to move up. The only thing that might bring relief for the AUD is if the US Federal Reserve where to drop interest rate below the Reserve Bank of Australia. Although this is looking highly unlikely.

MMA Fighter Conor McGregor Arrested

UFC star and MMA fighter Conor McGregor arrested after allegedly knocking a mobile phone our of a fans hands and then stomping on it. It would seem a very out of character thing to do for the usually calm and collection fighter. Conor is not usually known for breaking the law or doing outrageous things like this. He is more known for the time he spends on the MMA mat training for upcoming fights and just keeping himself fit in general.

What are the allegations?

The allegations to this event are that the fan and McGregor were leaving a Miami Beach hotel when the fan tried to take a picture with the MMA fighter with a cell phone, according to a police report. McGregor then slapped the phone out of the fan’s hand and stomped on the phone several times. For this McGregor was arrested on charges of felony strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief. It is unknown how this will play out as it is presumably in the hands of McGregor’s lawyers and the courts.

What will Conor do next?

It is unclear who McGregor will fight next. His last fight was against Khabib Nurmagomedov where he lost via submission. He is probably busy training on his MMA mats in his gym keeping fit for the next fight opportunity.

While he has been pushing for a rematch with Mayweather, that is unlikely to happen after his previous defeat to the boxing legend. Whoever he choses to fight it should probably not be another fan with a mobile phone. He is better off keeping the action on the jigsaw mats.

Conor McGregor Arrested

AUD Drops After RBA Comments

The price of martial arts mats is at risk of rising after comments by the RBA cause the value of the Australian Dollar to drop. The AUD drops after RBA comments indicated that the next interest rate movement could just as easily be down as up. This is after marketing expectations had largely been in favour of the increase of interest rates in the next year.

The AUD is being weighed down by lacklustre growth figure and inflation figures. Both of which have been impacted by weakness in the housing market and consumer demand. This coupled with the dark cloud brewing over the world economy are further causing strain on the AUD.

It is expected that the weakness in the AUD with put pressure on the price of imported goods. This will impact on the price of jigsaw mats and well as other training mats. Jigsaw mats and MMA mats are generally an imported item which is sensitive against a devaluing AUD. It is expected that the price of jigsaw mats and MMA mats will increase in the immediate future if the lower AUD persists.

AUD Drops After RBA Comments

Premier Supplier For Gyms

Are you planning to open a new gym and don’t know where to source all you floor mats and wall mats? Well look no further the Southern Cross Mats. We are the premier supplier for martial arts clubs and gym throughout Australia. We have all the mats you need for your next school or new training gym. We have a full range of anti-fatigue mats and safety mats to cover your floors and walls. These are necessary to ensure a safe environment for your students from injury. To check out range by visiting Click Here. Here we have our full range of gym mats on display.

The range of great gym mats that we supply includes:

Wall Mats – The wall padding has 30mm thick foam and 9mm timber backing.

MMA Mats – Our MMA mats have a smooth finish and are 2m x 1m x 40mm.

Tatami Mats – Our tatami mats have a traditional tatami finish and are made from heavy duty material and compressed foam.

Foam gym mats – We have a range of 20mm, 30mm and 40mm jigsaw mats. Our EVA gym mats come in a variety of colours for you to choose from.

When fitting out your next gym contact Southern Cross Mats and we will be glad to help. We will help you better then anyone else.

Wall Mats / Wall Pad Available at Southern Cross Mats

Southern Cross Mats are happy to introduce wall mats to their range of training mats. Our wall mats or wall padding (as they are alternately know), are absolutely necessary for any serious training gym. Whether training BJJ, MMA or any other martial art it is as important to protect your student from collision with the walls as it is with the floor.

Our wall mats / wall pads are:

190 x 50cm x 3.9cm (will additional 5cm lip on each end)
Have density of 150kg/cm
Are attached to a 9mm timber board (including in measurements)
Can be easy attached to wall or mounted on a channel using the 5cm lip.
Are great value.

Our wall mats are available in black. Other colours are available on special order. These mats will greatly complement your MMA Mats, tatami mats or jigsaw mats.

If you are looking for professional mats call Southern Cross Mats today.

New MMA Mats

MMA Mats – Mixed Martial Art Mats

Southern Cross Mats are glad to announce the we have introduced new MMA mats to our martial arts mats line up. MMA mats different from our standard tatami mats which have been hugely popular with the grappling community. Our MMA mats come with a smooth vinyl surface. These are ideal for mixed martial arts as they eliminate mat burn. These mats are very popular in MMA training where there is a combination or stand up martial art and grappling. Whilst they look similar our MMA mats are not Zebra Mats.

Zebra Mats versus MMA Mats

Our MMA mats are not to be confused with Zebra Mats™. Zebra Mats are a trademark of Zebra Inc. Our mats are are a cost effective solution for MMA mats. Southern Cross Mats has been supplying tatami and EVA mats now for a number of years and we are confident that our MMA mats will be as well received as our all our training and gym mats.

Our MMA mats are available in black and grey. Other colours can be special ordered. The mats are 2m x 1m x 40mm is size. They are also available in size 1m x 1m x 40mm on special order. If you have a custom colour you would like you can also check with us to see if it is available as a stock colour or if it can be tailored to your requirement.

Our mats come with:

Smooth vinyl finish
Compress foam inner
Non-slip rubber back
Density of 230kg/cbm

Southern Cross Mats are a premier supplier of MMA mats and gym mats. We have outfitted a huge amount of gyms with both our EVA jigsaw mats and vinyl MMA and tatami mats. If your are looking for mats for your gym or martial arts centre then look no further the Southern Cross Mats. Call Southern Cross Mats for all your MMA mats requirements.

About Mixed Martial Art

All is all good a proper to know where to get MMA mats but what is MMA. MMA is an abbreviation for “mixed martial arts”. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that combines both striking and grappling, in both standing position and on the ground, using a variety of techniques from different martial arts.

Some would argue that MMA first become popular with the UFC, or Bruce Lee or the Gracies. I say that MMA has been around since the dawn of time. Since man (and women) first roamed this earth men (and sometimes women) have chosen to use fighting to sort out their differences. To do so they kicked and punched and did all sorts of things to defeat their opponent. It was the passage of time which eventual split them up and began to categories aspects of fight.

Which Mats Should an MMA Fighter Use?

It is an age old question. Which mats to use? Heaps of fighters still prefer tatami mats for their training. Sometimes it is just because this is what they are used to using. Maybe time spend training in judo or other traditions arts has gotten them accustomed to the tatami look and feel. MMA has a large amount of fighters that have origins in more traditional forms of martial arts.

Others like the added grip that the tatami finish give them. I have often been told that during a hard workout a person can get very sweaty. During a work out a person can be literally dripping with sweat. If you multiple that by ten or more people you can imaging how bad it can get in a training gym. For this reason having a bit of grip can be beneficial even desired.

Smooth Mats vs Tatami Finish

There is no doubt that MMA mats with a smooth finish are becoming more predominant. The issue of mat burn is the most cited reason. As MMA fighters tend to work both their stand up and mat game in equal measure a fighter will come on contact with the mat constantly. Often even quite violently. The constant impact can lead to grazing especially in a gi-less environment. If you visit most MMA training gym you will find Zebra mats or MMA mats with a smooth finish. That is either Zebra Mats™ or a less expensive MMA mats that is manufactured in China such as those sold by Southern Cross Mats.

Image by Southern Cross Mats with Made in Germany Logo.