If you want to have the techniques explained to you so that you can understand what’s going on, the most cost-effective source is Youtube.

If you want to be able to perform the techniques, you will need to find a coach or instructor, especially if you have no previous experience. Trying to learn how to fight through videos is like trying to learn how to fly an aircraft through videos. Knowing all the terminology and understanding what’s going on won’t keep you from crashing and burning.

With all that being said, there are quite a few videos out there on how to prepare for MMA fights. Just to list a few who’ve put out videos: Mark Hatmaker, Mario Sperry, Karo Parisyan, Frank Trigg, Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Georges St-Pierre, Pat Miletich, Dan Henderson, the Singer brothers, the Rua brothers, Denis Kang, Jens Pulver, Bas Rutten, Josh Barnett, and Erik Paulson. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few guys. Some of these videos or series try to be all-encompasing, some focus on one aspect or another of MMA (ground and pound, takedowns, leg locks, etc). It’s hard to recommend one above the others, but my personal bias is towards Mark Hatmaker. He explains things in a very clear-cut scientific manner. He tells you how you’re doing something and why you’re doing it.

As for high school history classes, absolutely not. This is such a microcosm of human existance that it’s only begun to make its way into college-level programs, which are more focused and in depth than anything you’ll find at the high school level.