What aspects should you train to become a complete MMA fighter?

MMA or Mixed Martial Arts as it is commonly known is the fastest growing sport in the world and has quickly become very popular with young adults. Training aspects have been incorporated into many people’s training regimens, whether in the gym or at home.

MMA incorporates a wide range of techniques from different martial arts backgrounds. In addition to training hard by lifting weights, working out and having a mental advantage by keeping 1 cardio step ahead of your opponent, you must be well versed in the 3 main disciplines which are striking, wrestling and jiu jitsu.

Surprising:

A good fighter will have a variety of flashy styles in their arsenal. Every fight starts standing up and if you can finish the fight early without falling to the ground then you can finish the fight early and be a crowd pleaser. Punching is easy to learn as the moves are basic and most people know the basics of fighting, through movies, TV events, etc. Hits can be fast, but all fighters need to be smart as they need to predict what their opponent is going to do and plan their defense/attack strategy. Smart hitting is difficult to teach and understand as you need to increase your reaction time and balance. A good striker will be able to counterattack effectively and predict when an opponent is about to strike. Top MMA fighters like Shogun, Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Mirko Cro Cop have found success as well-versed strikers. In addition to an outstanding punch, they have great spread and takedown defense that prevents opponents from firing for a takedown.

Struggle:

Wrestling has recently been the core discipline that has performed well in MMA. Of the last 13 ultimate fighter series winners, 7 of them have a background in wrestling. A fighter will be able to adapt to MMA as his training is very similar and he will have great strength, excellent cardio and endurance, the ability to move body weight, great grappling, fighting intelligence and the ability to shoot/defend takedowns. Many college, division 1 and 2, and professional fighters have experienced immediate success in MMA. There must be a teaching method that allows fighters to transition and become successful MMA practitioners. Fighters can generally experience a fair amount of success with relatively little additional training. Featured wrestlers like Josh Koscheck, Jake Rosholt, Jake O’Brien, CB Dollaway, Matt Hughes, Brock Lesnar, Chael Sonnen and many others have continued to win even as their submission and striking skills catch up with their wrestling skills. Great fighters will be able to use their experience on the ground to increase their Jiu Jitsu skills. Tito Ortiz, who has a background in wrestling, used his dominant wrestling by mounting an opponent and hitting from above (Ground and Pound). Mark Coleman, another noted fighter, first introduced this style to MMA in the early 1990’s. Fighters will try to get the puncher to the ground and control the fight there and with Jiu Jitsu practitioners they will stand and punch or look for a Easy knockdown to earn points.

Jiu Jitsu:

Jiu-jitsu was an eye-opener when Royce Gracie stunned early UFC audiences with a ground game that stopped even the biggest of strikers. No matter what discipline fighters come from, BJJ continues to be one of the top skill set options for today’s top fighters. A good jiu jitsu practitioner will be able to submit opponents from various positions, both standing and on the ground. Fighters who have Jiu Jitsu as their core discipline will have some wrestling experience, as Jiu Jitsu competitions are ground events. When competing in Jiu Jitsu events the pace is very high and you need to have great muscular strength and endurance. As with striking, jiu jitsu practitioners need to be smart as they need to predict what their opponent is going to do and plan their defense/attack strategy relatively early and stop an opportunity when it arises without leaving themselves open to attack. Jiu Jitsu performers are relatively strong as they need to maneuver their body weight; they’re also powerful, as when they sink into chokes and locks, they want to end the fight right then and there. Having to move your opponent’s body weight and having them on top of you will increase your cardiovascular endurance and endurance. When fighting for a position on the ground through wrestling or jiu jitsu, opponents try to recover and that is when a true jiu jitsu practitioner explodes and catches their opponent off guard and submits them. The true legends of Jiu Jitsu are Fedor Emelianenko, Demian Maia, the Nogueria brothers, fabricio werdum and bj Penn.

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