Tips on UFC Training

Started in 1993 and since then becoming the leader in Mixed Martial Arts fighting, the Ultimate Fighting Championship holds more than 20 fights ever year around the world. Fighting in an octagon, fighters can compete in one of the UFC's seven weight classes and win via submission, knockout or decision.

  1. Conditioning

    • A UFC fighter needs tremendous conditioning to one day be the champion.

      UFC fighters train many hours to ensure they have the necessary conditioning to fight in the octagon. After warming up on a treadmill or stationary bike, many fighters use the complex training technique to meet the conditioning requirements to last the duration of a UFC fight. Complex training incorporates heavy low-repetition weightlifting and plyometric exercises into a workout by completing such exercises as medicine ball slams and weighted pull-ups in a circuit and using short rest periods.

    Strikes

    • Striking an opponent can lead to a UFC fight win.

      Train in one or more of the common fighting styles which teach striking such as boxing, Muay Thai or kickboxing. Whether standing or on the ground, UFC fighters use striking in the octagon to beat their opponent. Knee strikes, jabs and the uppercuts are just a few of the strikes a UFC fighter can learn to succeed.

    Clinching

    • Clinching an opponent helps the fighter dictate a fight.

      By clinching his opponent, a fighter possesses the option to bring the opponent towards him to control the head or body, or get the opponent to the ground. Clinching the opponent while standing allows the fighter to land knee and elbow strikes and perform dirty boxing. When on the ground, clinching allows the fighter to pummel or "ground and pound" his opponent. MMA styles such as Muay Thai, wrestling and judo teach different forms of clinching.

    Takedown and Ground

    • Takedowns allow the fighter to take his opponent to the ground.

      Some UFC fighters prefer the takedown and ground portion of fighting rather than standing up and striking with their opponent. Takedowns involve lateral drops, single or double leg takedowns and the inside trip. Once on the ground, the fighter can gain tactical control of his opponent by mounting him or taking back control. Each of these and other options of the ground portion of a fight enables the fighter to strike or submit his opponent. A fighter needs to also learn the defensive responses to prevent a takedown or how to defend and protect once on the ground. Catch wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Sambo are just a few of the training styles used to learn the takedown and ground portion of UFC fighting.

    Submissions

    • The goal of a submission is to force an opponent to tap out.

      Looking to force his opponent to "tap out" or give up, a UFC fighter should train to improve his submission tactics or how to defend against a possible submission. Both the Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Sambo MMA styles show a UFC fighter many of the different submission holds such as an arm bar, guillotine choke and rear naked choke.