Few sports have enjoyed the exponential growth in global traction that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has in recent years and the prominence of the sport has led to a more professional environment surrounding the vocation.
As the financial ramifications of being involved within the world of MMA continue to develop, those on the outside looking to get involved in the sport are seeking to replicate the training habits and patterns of those who have achieved great things in the combat sport.
The advent and popularity of MMA in general has also led to a multitude of subsidiary industries booming from the increased footfall in the sport, ranging from sporting promotions through to online betting sites – all looking to get on board the MMA bandwagon.
Such has been the upward curve within the world of MMA, both for those in the octagon and those working within the industry, there is more and more scrutiny on the developing sport – on a public and global platform.
Here are some of the training camp secrets shared by the elite MMA fighters in the modern age of the sport:
Mind over matter
As with any sport, the mental game is just as crucial as physical conditioning and that is as prevalent as ever in a sport such as MMA. Having full control of the mental strands across all elements of life as an elite MMA fighter is absolutely essential. Visualisation techniques allow fighters to mentally rehearse their fights, envisioning successful outcomes and developing a winning mindset, regardless of their opponent or any challenges they may face. In addition, having the mental fortitude to set a goal and stick to it – in the face of adversity – is the ultimate challenge for any MMA fighter in the heat of the battle.
Strategic Planning
Behind every exceptional athlete or high performer, lies a strategic mind and this rings truer than ever in the hustle and bustle of MMA. Elite MMA fighters work closely with their coaches and trainers to develop a game plan tailored to their strengths and the weaknesses of their opponents. Performance analysis and individual awareness of fighting strategy is an essential facet for any MMA fighter looking to progress within the sport. Furthermore, having a plan to stick to enables fighters to access a strategy that may work for them when in the octagon, removing the possibility of blurred thinking when the going gets tough.
Devil in the detail
As the sport of MMA progresses on an exponential scale, fighters must put in the hard yards in order to be prepared for every single bout. Finding the finite margins that make the difference are always the key differentials in any sport and MMA is absolutely no different in that regard. Whether it be adopting a certain stance when striking or seeking to attack their opponent from a certain side of the body, the elite level MMA fighters have a detailed and meticulous approach to every fight, with the planned tactics set out by both the fighter and their team.
Body like a temple
The ultimate test of MMA fighting has always centred around the physical combat between two fighters and ensuring that the body holds up during a bout is page one for any fighter. Hours and hours of brutal training go in to sculpting a body that will enable a fighter to perform at their best, every single time they step into the octagon. From there, it comes down to conditioning and endurance, as fighters need to be on their guard and fit and firing – for all 5 rounds.
Becoming an elite level athlete certainly isn’t for the faint hearted, regardless of the sport in question but in the world of MMA, the different physical and mental challenges are magnified. As the sport develops, more and more training camp secrets from elite fighters will be sought after, as the next generation of MMA athlete looks to make their mark on one of the fastest growing sports in the world.