If you’re reading this blog post, there’s a good chance stepping into the MMA cage is one of your personal goals. Here at Absolute MMA, we want to be a part of your journey. This blog post will walk you through what you need to do each week to be ready for your first mixed martial arts fight.
Key components to preparing for your first MMA match
To be successful in MMA, you need a well-rounded fight IQ and skill set. Working on your fight fitness is also vital to your preparation. MMA fighters must develop both their striking and grappling skills. These abilities aren’t built overnight, so you’ll need to be consistent in your training and class attendance to be combat-ready.
Here are the classes you need to attend each week to develop the skills and knowledge required to step into the cage:
No Gi Jiu Jitsu
As mentioned earlier, you need to be able to grapple in MMA. Unlike sports like Boxing, an MMA fight will continue when both fighters go to the ground. You need to have educated options and responses for both offensive and defensive grappling.
You learn a range of skills in our No Gi Jiu Jitsu class. These skills include the following but are not limited to:
- Takedowns
- Sweeps
- Submissions
- Defensive Wrestling
- Grappling strategy
As with all of our classes, the key to developing great Jiu Jitsu is to train consistently and frequently. You will be able to see real improvement over time by attending regularly.
Muay Thai
Our Muay Thai classes teach you how to be an effective striker. Muay Thai is a proven striking system that thrives in MMA. You’ll learn how to throw punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Muay Thai will also teach you how to check kicks, use defensive footwork, and use the clinch to your advantage. Our coaches will help fine-tune your technique and strengthen your defensive skills on your feet as well.
Fundamentals are always stressed in every class. With a solid understanding of the basics, you’ll build a reliable striking foundation for your MMA fights.
MMA Sparring
Putting striking and grappling seamlessly together requires hard work, time in the gym, and becoming a student of the art. We have an MMA sparring class during the week for you to work on these skills. You’ll be able to work on different scenarios and drills to prepare for your MMA fight. Below are skills and scenarios you may practice in an MMA sparring class:
- Using strikes to set up takedowns
- Wall wrestling
- Incorporating striking with defensive wrestling
- Getting back to your feet after getting taken down
Fitness and Conditioning
Our Fitness and Conditioning classes will not only help you get in shape but also strengthen your mental toughness. You’ll push yourself physically with every lift, jump, and sprint.
These workouts include exercises like:
- Deadlifts
- Burpees
- Sprints
- Farmer carries
- Barbell squats
- Box jumps
These workouts are designed to build you as a fighter. By completing them, you’ll increase your athleticism and reduce your risk of injury. You’ll also notice improved focus during other classes as your conditioning advances. Plus, you’ll find the classes encouraging, as people of all experience levels work out together.
What can you do outside of classes at Absolute MMA to prepare for your MMA fight?
Realizing there is much you can do to prepare for your first MMA fight is empowering. You’re in control of the work and total effort you put into your training. Below are three things you can do outside of your attendance at Absolute MMA classes to be ready to fight.
Conditioning and Proper Rest
Conditioning isn’t limited to gym hours. Running, shadowboxing, or using a jump rope on your off days can improve your endurance. Equally important is ensuring you get enough sleep to recover and perform at your best.
The work you put in outside of the gym will pay off in the cage. There’s a variety of ways you can work on your conditioning on your own. Some of the things you can do include yoga, running 3-5 miles, and calisthenics. You can also invest in your physical health by using saunas, steam rooms, ice baths, and hot tubs for faster recovery.
When it comes to sleep, aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Proper rest provides a range of benefits. You’ll be able to recover from tough training sessions. You will also be able to better retain what you’ve learned in class due to the new memories made while sleeping. Getting enough sleep will help you maintain mental clarity so you can train safely and effectively.
Nutrition
Eating the right foods for your body and staying hydrated is an investment in your performance. Proper nutrition fuels your workouts and ensures your body recovers quickly. It’s important to eat the right foods that’ll help you feel strong and energized.
Here are some foods you can incorporate into your diet if you’re not already eating them:
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Bananas
- Pears
- Blueberries
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Oats
- Greek yogurt
The goal is to find healthy foods you enjoy eating and make them a part of your regular diet. As you do so, you’ll improve your health and overall performance.
Film Study
One of the best ways to advance your fight career is by becoming a student of the game. Watching fights—whether of your future opponents or professional athletes—can give you insights into strategy, timing, and technique.
A great way to learn strategy and tactics is by watching MMA fights. You can use film study to further your fight IQ. One way to do this is by watching for skills you’ve learned in class here at Absolute MMA. Another way you can improve your fight IQ is by studying how different fighters handle specific situations.
If you already have a signed opponent who has MMA fighting experience, search the internet for his/her past fight footage. It’ll give you a better chance to learn more about your opponent.
Start your MMA journey today!
Did you know you can try every class for free at Absolute MMA? Use this link to sign up for your free one-week trial: https://absolutemma.com/free-trial/