You may be interested in MMA to train to be a UFC fighter or just to train to get into shape and be able to defend yourself.
You are probably wondering how MMA fighters train to get so skilled in fighting. The training is hard but depends on what you want to do. If you want to get into the ring you are going to have to train 3 to 4 hours a day at least and that is 5 days a week. This is training to get into the ring either for amateur or pro MMA fights.
Amateur fights for MMA I have seen many fighters come into the ring with very little training or fight preparation.
Their training could be a lot less since the competition is not always the best. If you are an amateur or if you want to start you need a good MMA gym.
What is in MMA training
MMA is Mixed Martial Arts and consists of many different fighting systems combined into a real fighting sport.
You may have heard of the UFC and this is where you go to fight if you are really good and can win in the amateur divisions.
MMA consists of Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, judo, and many other martial arts. The fighters take what is useful and use it in the octagon to win fights.
How long does it take to learn Mixed Martial Arts
This all depends on your background in martial arts. If you have been training in Jiu-Jitsu for 2 years before finding an MMA gym then at least your ground fighting abilities will be solid.
The MMA gym would then need to teach you how to do stand-up fighting. If you know stand-up but not ground fighting then you need to learn how to fight on the ground.
Skills you need to be a great fighter include:
Stand-up fighting
- Boxing
- Muay Thai (knees, elbows, and kicks)
- Kicks (kick combos)
- Punching combos
- Movement (dodge, weave, distancing, moving)
- Eye-hand coordination
- Speed
- Punching power
Ground fighting
- Mount position
- Takedowns
- Locks and holds
- Arm bars
- Choke holds
The MMA gym then has to combine your standup fighting with ground fighting to make you an MMA fighter.
This could be a year or two depending on how quickly you pick up the training and how hard you train.
Amateur MMA your coach could put you in the ring just knowing that your Jiu-Jitsu training may be enough.
If you are brand new and know nothing about martial arts or fighting then 2 to 3 years to probably get into a ring.
This all depends on how much you train.
As an amateur, you need to win so many fights against other winning opponents before you can go pro.
What is Mixed Martial arts training?
You now need to know what type of training you will go through when joining an MMA gym.
When I trained at an MMA gym the fighters did their own conditioning outside the gym. They all worked on their technique in the gym with other fighters.
The training regimen for class
- Warm-up jumping rope 5 minutes
- Shadowbox for 3 minute round to loosen up
- Based on the instructor we would pair up and practice stand-up combos with focus mitts we would do 3-minute rounds. We would do this for an hour or more.
- Jiu-Jitsu we would work on it for another hour with partners. This would also be for 3-minute rounds to get used to 3-minute rounds in amateur fights
- Most amateurs work and some have families so some gyms only do 1 to 2 hours of training 3 to 5 days a week. Once you go pro your training has to increase to at least 3 to 4 hours a day 5 days a week. We have a friend at a pro-UFC gym and I know he puts in the hours.
How many hours a week do MMA fighters have to train
We have already answered this but here it is in a simpler form.
Amateur
- Standup – train between 3 to 8 hours a week
- Ground fighting – train between 3 to 6 hours a week
Pro
- Standup – train between 8 to 10 hours a week
- Ground fighting – train between 8 to 10 hours a week
You can train less but you may not be as good as you would like.
Only through intense training can you really be great at MMA. This leads to the next question how can you get good at MMA?
Training for stamina
You need to be in good shape to do this training or take it slow until you get in better shape.
Training for endurance outside of gym training
- You need to do a 3-mile run at least 3 times a week
- Sprints can really help where you run as fast as you can for 30 seconds to a minute then jog for a minute and repeat. Build up to this if you cannot do a minute the first time out
- Jumping on a wooden box platform will help with leg power
- Hit the punching bag for 5-minute rounds just throwing combos of punches and kicks. Rest for 2 minutes and do another round. Go as many as you can
What you need to learn for stand-up fighting
Here are some of the techniques that you will learn when training in MMA.
- Jab punch lead hand
- Rear cross
- Hook punch both hands
- Upper-cut both hands
- Elbow strikes
- Knee strikes
- Strikes to the body
- A Muay Thai kick to the leg
- Muay Thai kicks to the inner thigh of the leg
- Muay Thai teap kick
- Kicks to the head
- Sidekicks
- Overhand punch
- Kicks to the body
- How to move
- Bob and weave
- Distancing to strike an opponent
- Bridge the gap in the fight
- Head movement
What you need to learn for ground fighting
Here are some techniques you will learn in training in ground fighting.
- Takedowns
- Rear naked choke
- Triangle choke
- Escapes
- Mounts
- Armbar
- Guillotine choke
- Side control
- Sprawl to avoid the takedown
- Leg locks
- Ankle locks
- Plus more
You will also need to know how to move around the ring. Understanding distancing and ways to close the gap to punch and kick without you getting hit.
Then you learn how to position yourself to take your opponent down and then work on the ground game.
Jiu-Jitsu you have two types one is more like a sport where you score points and win by submission. Sport Jiu-Jitsu tournaments you are not allowed to punch or kick.
Then there is Jiu-Jitsu where you learn to fight just like in the UFC ring. This is where techniques to get your opponent to tap out or knock them out.
The training is similar in the moves but different in knowing someone is going to be punching you when you are trying to choke them out.
How can I get good at MMA?
We talked about the time it takes to train and what is involved to be a fighter. To get really good at MMA fighting you need a really good coach and you need to put in the time.
You really have to pay attention to every aspect of your training. When you are training then focus on that and give it you’re all.
Many people including fighters just go through the motion and never really focus their energy on being great.
My high school daughter swims in club swimming and she trains 3 hours a day 5 days a week in swimming. If you really want it then you will put in the time to be a great fighter.
I trained in an MMA gym to get into better shape and to increase my fighting skills. Many MMA gyms have training for fighters and other training for people who don’t want to fight but want to learn MMA.
The MMA fighter needs to have the mental fortitude to train. You will get hit and beat up as you train with other skilled fighters.
Fighting better fighters will increase your skillset quickly. If you want to join an MMA gym we advise you get your cardio in shape before joining.
You will end up like me when I joined the gym I was winded after 1 minute in a 3-minute round.
MMA training at home
You can train at home in MMA. There are many online courses like our free online training we offer that can teach you the basics.
The great thing about our free training is you can see if you like the training and get your skills at a good level to join an MMA gym. Most gyms cost at least $100 a month to train.
Gear you need for training:
Conclusion
MMA is an incredible martial art to train in. I have trained for 3 years and have really enjoyed how tough I have gotten.
My skills in fighting have increased 3 fold plus it has really gotten me in shape. You just need to see if this is the right martial art for you.
You can want to be an MMA fighter or just train to learn to fight better like I am doing. If you want to train online with our system just go to our free training page.
You may also like this article: What is MMA?