If hard work, exhaustion, adrenaline, and being a relentless competitor sounds enticing, then you might have what it takes to be an MMA fighter. Pro fighters excel in a high-performance environment that tests their endurance in every way – be it physically, mentally, or emotionally.

MMA fighting

Above all, the first stage is interest. Having an interest, if not obsession, in mixed martial arts fuels the drive to begin the high amount of training and dedication necessary to be an MMA fighter. The history and creation of MMA are not specific to any time frame or moment; However, most would argue that the birth of UFC 1 “The Beginning” on November 12, 1993, was the first monumental event in the sport. Typical to the early foundations of MMA, competitors entered the octagon representing separate fighting styles. The games displayed art against art and aimed to set up crowd-pleasing fights, dramatic in nature, but satisfying in excitement and gore.

History of MMA

MMA styling can be dated back to Ancient Greece, China, and Brazil, where fighting sports like Vale Tudo, Leitai, Pankration, and Savate helped form what we now call MMA. Hand and foot combat sports had always held a high entertainment factor, especially when they also had fewer rules. The more gore and realism, the more entertained the crowd would be. Thankfully that expectation has changed into something much more profound and meaningful. Present-day MMA has a huge entertainment factor with less focus on the injuries and more on the talent of the fighters in the octagon. Now, competitors enter the octagon with stories and a background that helps connect fans to the fighter. Their entertainment factor no longer depends on who gets bloodier.

Committing to great health

Second, to a passion for the sport, is a commitment to overall health. It is not realistic to wake up one morning and say that you could easily fight in an octagon. There is nothing more exhausting than lasting multiple rounds in a fight. With factors such as stress, fatigue, dehydration, and injuries always playing in the background, your stamina becomes a critical element. Endurance training, with a focus on cardiovascular health, helps train fighters to become equally productive during high levels of exhaustion. If you think you’re in good shape because you run or work out, both pale in comparison to the physical demands of being in a combat match.

MMA Fighter’s Food and diet

Another critical factor is diet. Customized diet plans create balance for each fighter’s needs. When asked about diet plans, BTC Fight’s Adam Assenza remarked that when he is training, he keeps his intake to 60% vegetarian and 40% animal protein. Most of his meals are high fat and low carb. However, during weight cut week, he completely removes all carbs and increases his protein, fats, and vegetable intake. Once weigh-in is complete, he carb loads for 24 hours before a competition, which is how he fills the energy stores for his fight. Without a sharp focus on an MMA fighter’s diet, hard work in every other department goes to waste due to improper nutrition.

Adapting to changes in MMA that increase performance

Many will remember when Steve McLendon, from the Pittsburgh Steelers, declared that he had been taking ballet classes alongside his NFL training. Ballet training was essential for him as it worked on components that he did not naturally excel in, such as balance and flexibility. For MMA fighters, acknowledging when more training is required is part of an important process of evolving as a fighter. Much like how teams watch their games for performance critique, fighters also re-watch their fights to look for areas of strength and areas for improvement – both are never-ending categories. Becoming comfortable in a combat sport is dangerous as new fighters are always coming into the profession with new techniques and tricks. A well-rounded MMA fighter will continuously look for areas to improve, not settling for comfort.

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