It is important that you learn how to train for an MMA fight before stepping in the cage. Contrary to what many people think, it does not require hundreds of dollars to properly train for an MMA fight. A good MMA fighter starts training for a fight 6 to 7 weeks before the fight. The main element to focus on is your diet. It's important that your body is clear of unnecessary fat and toxins that can slow you down. Many fighters drop 10 to 12 pounds before a fight. The reason for starting training 6 to 7 weeks before the fight is so that you do not have to drop 10 to 12 pounds in a week. Many fighters can comfortably drop 3 to 5 pounds in water weight the day before weigh ins. As the fighter, it's up to you to decide what your body is capable of. It is best to eat 5 to 6 very small meals a day that consist of low fat and low calories. Some examples include sandwiches on wheat bread with light mayonnaise and low-fat turkey or chicken. You can eat all the fruits and vegetables you want. They consist of literally no fat or calories. It is important to eat several meals a day so you put your metabolism is over-drive. A good diet in combination with high intensity workouts will already put you above the competition!
Training for the fight
The best MMA fighters such as Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva, Matt Hughes, and Jake Shields all have very intense training regiments leading up to their fights. They know exactly how to train for an MMA fight. Starting 6 to 7 weeks before your fight you should begin training 1 to 2 times a day 5 days per week. If you've never fought before, an MMA fight basically consists of 3 3-minute rounds of running as hard as you possibly can. You need to have amazing cardiovascular strength. Many amateur fighters do not train hard enough and "gas" or completely fatigue their bodies by the end of the first round. The fighters with the best stamina will win the fight 90 percent of the time on the amateur level. You may be able to throw the hardest overhand right on the planet, but if you can only throw one and you miss, chances are you are not going to win the fight!
MMA Gear to Consider
As previously mentioned, you do not need a massive budget to train for MMA. However, there is some gear you will need in order to compete. You will need a good pair of MMA gloves, MMA or Muay Thai shorts, a cup, a jock, and a mouthpiece. You can get all of these things for around $ 100 total. It's important to train with your gear on as you would train for your fight. It's very difficult to breathe heavily with a mouthpiece. It constricts your air. Over time, your body will learn to adapt to training and fighting with a mouthpiece.
Suggested Workouts
Your workouts should consist of short high intensity rounds. Many fighters that are training for 3 minute, 3 round fights will do their workouts in 3 5-five minute rounds regiments. You want to be able to handle nearly double what you think you'll need in the cage. You never know exactly how a fight is going to go. You need to be a skilled striker and skilled ground fighter. Your body needs to understand how to respond in any given situation.
Here are some examples of the best workouts for MMA fighters:
Flipping Tractor Tires
Kettle Bell Workouts
Running up stadium bleachers
Rolling (Wrestling with a partner to get out of difficult situations)
Striking / Kicking / Clinch Drills
Hitting a tractor tire with a sledgehammer
The best way to do an MMA workout is to confuse your body. Do circuit training and go from one workout to the next. Throw different workouts at your body and never allow yourself to get used to doing one workout. Just think about how a fight could go, will it ever just be the same thing? No, it will always be different. Therefore, your workouts should always be different.
It's important to target stabilizing muscles when doing MMA workouts. Use muscles that you do not normally use. You should plan out exactly what you're going to do each day leading up to your fight. If you do start 6 to 7 weeks before your fight, start training lightly and build up slowly. Ideally, you want to be in the best shape possible 1 week before the fight. Train lightly the week of the fight and rest your body. You now should have an excellent idea of exactly how to train for an MMA fight. You will be in perfect condition to step in the cage and battle for the first time!