So you’ve watched a couple UFC fights and you think you just might want to see if you have what it takes to fight like the pros. MMA Fighters are some of the most conditioned athletes that go through some of the most intense training. Fighters have to train for speed, agility, strength, flexibility, endurance, and not to mention they have to survive a violent beating. Cage fighters are put in the ring against one another and fight until one fighter can’t continue or they run out of time. More and more people are getting into MMA fighting, and more and more gyms are popping up all around the world. Many places that teach martial arts are adding MMA classes to their schedule due to its popularity.
The problem with getting into MMA fighting is that most people quit because the work is too hard. If you’re the kind to puss out, maybe you shouldn’t even finish reading this and keep watching clips on YouTube. MMA fighters have serious dedication and keep themselves motivated through long hours of training. Most people get caught up in the excitement of a fight and don’t realize that fighters spend 95% of their time training while only fighting a few times a year. The life of a fighter consists of training, training, and more training. Kickboxing training, grappling training, boxing training, cardio training, and everything in between. Fighters need to be in the best shape with an arsenal of fighting techniques fit to defeat another fighter who trained just as hard.
Most professional fighters train 3-8 hours every day, 6 or 7 days a week. Most bottom level pros make very little money for their fights and from their sponsors and have to work a full time job. So don’t expect to quit your job anytime soon. Most fighters will have to win many professional fights before they are able to start fighting in bigger promotions and earning more money. Most of this will depend on time put in, level of ability, and honestly luck can be a big part of it. There are many great fighters out there who can keep up with some of the best in the world but it takes them a long time to get noticed. However with the current popularity of the sport there are more and more smaller promotions and leagues that offer the fighters a decent wage and take care of them.
Depending on your experience level you may want to wait a long time before you take your first amateur fight. I have heard countless stories of someone getting into the sport and wanting to fight after only months of training. If you are really athletic or have a background you may be able to keep up. However it is recommended you train for a a year or two before you consider your first fight. The amateur rules vary depending on your state but most of the time there are only a few limitations. Some of the bigger mentions are that you have to wear shin guards, you can’t attack the head on the ground, and the restriction of elbows. However after your first 3-5 fights in most states you become classified as a professional and are held to a different set of rules.
Watch a few amateur fights online and try to find events near your city, it can give you a new perspective if you see it life. MMA can be very brutal and some people freeze up and can’t handle their first fight. The only thing you can do is train harder and if it still doesn’t help, maybe MMA isn’t for you.
If you have trained for a while and are considering fighting, get your required blood work and tests done early. They need to have been done within 6 months of your fight and should be updated often. Find a good training camp or gym and train hard, and slow down when you’re getting closer to your fight to avoid injuries.
- Five ways you can ingest CBD - September 22, 2020
- How to be a Minimalist MMA Fighter - September 2, 2020
- UFC Fight Night: Anthony Smith vs Aleksander Rakic Betting Preview - August 27, 2020
