HOW LIGHTWEIGHT MMA FIGHTERS SHOULD TRAIN! 😎

What's up, guys and girls? Hope y'all are doing well. I recently did a video about heavyweights and how it's a little different being a heavyweight and what they go through. Heavyweights often rely on their power, but smaller fighters need a different playbook. Inspired by a viewer's comment, I decided to delve deep into what it's like to be a smaller fighter and how you should tailor your training if you're fighting in lower weight classes like 135 lbs, or for girls, maybe 125 lbs or 145 lbs. Let's break it down!

The Technical Game: Why Smaller Fighters Need to Be More Skilled

Key Point: Smaller fighters are generally more technical.

The nature of lighter weight classes demands greater technical skill. When you don't have the knockout power of a heavyweight, you need to rely on precision. A 135-pound fighter won't have the body mass to land those heavy punches, so they have to make up for it with technique.

In lighter weight classes, technique is paramount. You can't afford to have subpar skills if you're looking to succeed.

You can't be a bad 135-pounder with poor technique and expect to go far. It's very unlikely. On the other hand, a heavyweight could have mediocre skills but go far if they have big power.

Conditioning: The Heart of a Lightweight Fighter

Key Point: Lightweight fighters must have exceptional conditioning.

Lighter weight fighters tend to throw more volume. That means you need to be in phenomenal shape to keep up. Whether it's striking or grappling, endurance will play a massive role.

In your training camp, focus intensely on conditioning. Make sure you're ready to throw a high volume of strikes and handle repeated takedowns, especially if you're facing a wrestler who can shoot over and over again.

The Scramble Game: Stay Moving, Stay Winning

Key Point: Scrambling ability is crucial for lighter fighters.

In most heavyweight fights, you often see fighters ending up on the ground and staying there. This is less common in lighter weight classes, where scrambling becomes a significant part of the game.

The ability to scramble—get back up on your feet, use the cage, and recover quickly—is essential. Wrestlers often excel because they are good scramblers, but some lighter fighters make the mistake of focusing too much on jiujitsu and not enough on scrambling.

For grappling, the lighter weight guys have to focus heavily on scrambling. Their submissions might be good, and their defense might be solid, but without scrambling skills, they're at a disadvantage.

The Strike Game: Volume Over Power

Key Point: Focus on striking volume and movement.

At 135 lbs or similar classes, you may not have the raw power to end a fight with a single punch. That's why throwing a lot of strikes and being elusive is key. You're aiming to land multiple shots, get in, and get out quickly.

Tips for Effective Striking
1. Throw Volume: Don't rely on one big shot. Keep your opponent busy by throwing many strikes.
2. Be Elusive: Move in and out. Don't stay in the pocket long enough for your opponent to land counters.
3. Defensive Skills: Use defensive techniques to control the fight's pace.

Grappling: Offensive and Defensive Strategies

Offensive Grappling:

Be prepared to shoot multiple times.
Maintain your cardio to sustain repeated attempts.

Defensive Grappling:

Focus on scrambling.
Get underhooks and get back to your feet quickly.
Use the cage to your advantage.

Final Words on Training as a Lightweight Fighter

In summary, smaller fighters need to put a premium on technical skills and conditioning. Whether it’s scrambling on the ground or throwing a high volume of strikes, every aspect of your game needs to be sharp. Always remember:

Technical Superiority: It's a must.
Exceptional Conditioning: No exceptions.
Scrambling Skills: Essential for grappling.
Volume Striking: Keeps you ahead.

If you have any more questions or want me to cover additional topics, feel free to leave a comment below. Your support means a lot to me.

If you're new to martial arts and looking for a gym in your area, check out my book The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor. It’ll help you find the best gym near you. Thanks, guys!

Happy training! 🥋