How to Start Cage Fighting

In cage fighting, opponents fight in a cage (or octagon or boxing ring in some instances), competing in different weight classes and relying on a variety of different fighting techniques and skills. The purpose of a cage fight is to defeat your opponent either by knockout or "tap out" (when a fighter taps the mat or his opponent with his hand as a sign of submission to end the fight). The WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) are the two largest cage fighting organizations in the world. To become successful in cage fighting, you must be at least 18 years of age, have incredible physical strength and stamina, and get off to a proper start as a fighter.

Instructions

    • 1

      Change your diet and exercise regime. If you want to get involved in a sport like cage fighting, base your meals around fresh foods and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals. These foods provide important vitamins and nutrients to the body. Also eat foods that are high in protein--such as eggs, fish oil and berries--to help you build and maintain muscle.

    • 2

      Get geared up. Cage fighting is an intense contact sport, and you need to have the proper gear before getting started. You will need a mouth guard, fingerless boxing gloves, and a pair of shoes.

    • 3

      Join a gym to learn the basic rules and moves, and to work on getting the basics down and work to become a well-rounded fighter. To win fights, you should be skilled in all fighting styles--judo, Muay Thai kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to name a few--and not just stick to a single fighting style.

    • 4

      Hire a trainer--having a professional trainer to guide you and give advice can give you the motivation you need to stick with it. Cage fighting is an intense sport, and especially after your first few fights, it can be easy to feel like giving up. You may find a trainer at a local gym or martial arts center willing to work with you for free, especially if you are fortunate enough to have a friend or family member in this position, but in most cases you have to pay (as of December 2010, on average a trainer charges between $15 to $20 an hour).

    • 5

      Look for outlets to get your name out there such as MMA, UFC and WEC competitions, especially if you want to become a professional. Besides different competitions and any amateur fighting events you can find, you may also choose to apply for a show like "The Ultimate Fighter" to get more exposure and hopefully get the chance to prove yourself as a fighter. Fighters like Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva, who were relatively unknown and are now world-famous, got their big break through the show. The more you participate in cage fighting and the more fights you win, the more well-known you become.