Overview
Nobody could have predicted how popular the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) would become when it launched in November 1993. In the 31 years since the inaugural UFC event, the promotion has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, has held over 700 events globally, and the UFC athletes are instantly recognizable stars.
The UFC’s meteoric rise has been phenomenal, and the promotion has spilled over into other industries. Fans clamber over themselves to purchase the latest apparel, spend small fortunes on pay-per-view events, and try their luck on UFC betting apps for Android and iOS. Additionally, the UFC is directly responsible for a relatively new craze: people using mixed martial arts training as part of a fitness regime.
UFC athletes are among the fittest and strongest sportsmen and women you will ever encounter. Combat sports are physically and mentally challenging, and the top-tier fighters adhere to intense training schedules to keep them in peak condition. Nothing is left to chance when a fighter prepares for their time in the octagon, and this all-round conditioning is what makes MMA training hugely beneficial to anyone wanting to become fitter, stronger, and more mentally resilient. Here are some of the benefits of practicing MMA as a hobby.
Improved Physical Fitness
MMA is a full-body workout that enhances cardiovascular health, coordination, endurance, flexibility, and strength. Athletes in this field cannot afford to neglect anything in their training or sparring sessions because wily opponents will capitalize on any weaknesses.
Where soccer players can mainly focus on their cardio and leg strength, MMA fighters must condition every part of their bodies. A fighter who has bulked up and is immensely strong must also be quick on their feet, or they will be an easy target. Conversely, an MMA athlete who is flexible and has incredible cardiovascular fitness but is not physically strong won’t last long in the octagon.
Few sports require all-encompassing fitness programs as someone practicing MMA.
Learn Self-Defense Skills
Even if you have no intention of standing toe-to-toe with an opponent in a mixed martial arts fight, you will learn and develop self-defense skills you can use in real-life situations. Although Muay Thai, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are the most common martial arts in the UFC, the beauty of MMA is you can use any recognized martial art.
Very few people in this world plan on fighting their way out of a problem in their daily lives. However, having the ability and knowledge to defend yourself should a situation arise significantly boosts your self-confidence. Hopefully, you will never need to protect yourself or someone else from a physical attack, but knowing you can makes you feel good about yourself.
Increased Discipline and Focus
Training in MMA requires consistent effort, dedication, and focus, especially if you are learning a martial art that is alien to you. Elite-level MMA athletes train regularly and hard, regardless of whether they’ve had a bad day at the office or are facing other adversities in their lives. They set goals and do everything in their power to achieve them.
The discipline and focus required to push through the pain barrier and complete another bench press rep or to continue running when it feels like you are running on empty develop mental toughness that will serve you well in everyday life.
There will be times when someone practicing MMA comes across an opponent who seems unbeatable, a formidable foe with no apparent weakness. They must think quickly on their feet to adapt to the fight while remaining calm, collected, and confident if they are to find a way of emerging victoriously. Again, these mental skills are helpful outside of combat, such as setting and achieving goals or managing projects.
Stress Relief and Mental Resilience
Any form of exercise, especially intense physical exercise, is an excellent outlet for relieving stress. Physical activity releases endorphins, our body’s “feel good” hormones, which improve mood. Additionally, exercise reduces cortisol levels in our bodies; cortisol is often called the stress hormone. This double-whammy can massively elevate our mood, reduce stress, and enhance our overall well-being.
Although sparring or fighting someone can be a stressful experience, the mental focus MMA fighters develop through training and fighting helps build resilience, which can reduce anxiety. Sometimes, you feel like you cannot continue but find something inside you that pushes you to the next level. The mental boost from overcoming adversity is immense; if someone could bottle that feeling, they would be a millionaire!
Community and Camaraderie
Many MMA gyms foster a strong sense of community among practitioners, which helps create a sense of belonging. While no love is lost when in the ring or octagon, you often find MMA fighters are the best of friends once the referee calls time on the fight. Training together, helping others achieve their goals, and sharing their successes and failures develop friendships that last a lifetime.
Conclusion
MMA looks like a brutal, highly physical combat sport to the uninitiated. Anyone watching a UFC event may wince once or twice as the men and women do everything in their power to incapacitate their opponent. While intense fighting is a significant part of mixed martial arts, the activities that go on behind the scenes make this sport an excellent way to improve your health and fitness.
Few sports demand all-around strength and fitness like MMA. To succeed in this sport, athletes must be incredibly strong and powerful yet remain agile and flexible and have exceptional cardiovascular fitness. MMA training also develops increased discipline and focus, reduces stress, and improves mental resilience while fighters become part of a supportive community.
Then there is the self-defense aspect. Very few people want to brawl on the streets, but having Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai skills in your locker that you can call upon if needed is a welcome feather in your cap. Now you can see there is more than just fighting in mixed martial arts.
