Cage Fighting Training

Cage Fighting, also known as mixed martial arts (MMA) requires a multi-faceted training approach. You need to be prepared to learn several fighting styles to be a good all round competitor, and to defend against styles that you might not be familiar with. You also need a high level of strength and cardiovascular conditioning in order to stay the distance over a minimum of three 5 minute rounds (or five rounds in most championship contests). Cage fighting training is usually broken down into:

* Stand up fighting technique training
* Ground fighting technique training
* Grappling and submission technique training
* Strength training sessions with weights and body weight
* Conditioning workouts using both weights, bodyweight and other apparatus

This is not an exhaustive list. Most fighters have their own individual preferences and fighting techniques. However, competitors generally fall into one of the following categories:

1. Ground fighting specialists (usually Brazilian Jiu Jitsu)
2. Stand up fighting specialists (with a boxing or Muay Thai background)
3. Wrestlers (Greco-Roman or Olympic)
4. Hybrid fighters (not specialists in any of the above by background)

The last category is becoming more common as Cage Fighting has developed over the last 20 years as a sport in its own right, rather than a competition between the different styles of martial arts. Gyms are springing up all over the world that teach a holistic approach to the sport of mixed martial arts, and provide specific cage fighting training programs.

Getting Organised

If you want to seriously pursue cage fighting training, with a view to competition, you need to decide first of all which skills, if any, you already possess that can be adapted to the rules of MMA. Then you need to get coached by a good team that preferably already has a stable of fighters on the competitive circuit. If you enter a fight untrained you are putting yourself at great danger of injury or even death.

In addition to fight skills training, you need to organise a program of strength and conditioning workouts. These can be done under your own supervision or under the guidance of a coach. There are some costs involved in cage fighting training. But if you can find a club with a good all inclusive price, and that has decent strength and conditioning facilities, you will save yourself a lot of time and money compared to paying for separate classes and gym membership in several places.


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