HOW TO BE A FULL-TIME FIGHTER! 🥊🥋😎

What's up, guys? Today, I want to delve into a topic that many aspiring fighters are curious about: training full-time. This blog post is all about the journey, the adjustments, and the strategies involved in becoming a full-time fighter.

The Journey from Part-Time to Full-Time

Most fighters coming up in the ranks have to juggle a job alongside their training. I can attest to this from personal experience. My first three years in the UFC were spent balancing a full-time job. The pay isn't as high as people often assume, so working on the side is a necessity.

Starting Out:

For those just starting, it's crucial to manage your time effectively. Initially, you'll need to maintain a job that doesn't exhaust you physically so you can still dedicate yourself to training. Finding this balance is key.

Transitioning to Full-Time Training

When you reach a level where you can win enough fights and secure bigger paychecks, you can make the transition to full-time training. It's an amazing feeling, but it's also a critical period where you must adjust your training routine to prevent injuries.

My Personal Experience

I thought, "Oh, I'm going to train 10 hours a day to do as much as I can." And I did. But that led to overtraining, and I ended up injured with multiple surgeries. Full-time training isn't just about putting in long hours; it's about smart training.

The Importance of Drilling

Drilling is an essential part of training, especially in grappling. Grappling hard every day is not sustainable, especially as you get older. Drilling helps maintain your technique and timing without the physical toll of full-intensity grappling.

How to Drill Effectively:

Repetition: Spend dedicated time drilling the same moves repeatedly with a partner.
Technique Over Intensity: Focus on perfecting the technique rather than the intensity.
Flow Rolling: Engage in flow rolling sessions to keep your body fresh and your timing sharp.

Striking vs. Grappling

Striking can be maintained even as you age. You can engage in long striking sessions without the same level of wear and tear as grappling. However, for grappling, you must substitute hard sparring with drilling to preserve your body.

Key Takeaways:
Striking: Consistent striking drills are sustainable even in your 30s.
Grappling: Balance hard rolling with extensive drilling sessions.

Choosing the Right Techniques

You don't need to master hundreds of techniques. Instead, focus on a select few and drill them extensively. This approach can make you highly proficient in those areas, sometimes even more than a person with a broader but shallower skill set.

Example:
5 Submissions: Choose five submissions and drill them thousands of times. You may not be a black belt in every technique, but you'll be a black belt in those specific moves.

You don't have to be a black belt. You don't have to be a college level wrestler. You just have to be good at whatever specific moves you're working.

High-Percentage Moves

Not all techniques are equally effective in MMA. Choose high-percentage moves that have proven success in fights.

Techniques to Focus On:
Chokes
Defense Moves
Specific Takedowns

Full-Time Training Routine

Training full-time doesn't mean going hard constantly. Even if you're training six days a week, manage your intensity to avoid burnout and injury.

Week Breakdown:
Five to Six Hours Daily: Split between morning and evening sessions.
Drilling Focus: Two-hour drilling sessions to enhance specific techniques.
Rest Days: Incorporate lighter training or rest to allow your body to recover.

Balancing Work and Training

Balancing work while training full-time can be challenging, but with the right job, it’s possible. Jobs that don’t wear you out physically, like being an Uber driver or doing DoorDash, can allow you to still train effectively.

Ideal Job Types:
Ride-sharing (Uber, Lyft)
Food Delivery (DoorDash, Instacart)
Jobs with Flexibility: Allowing you to adjust your schedule around training.

Conclusion

Becoming a full-time fighter is not about training endlessly; it’s about smart training, consistent drilling, and choosing the right techniques. Balance is critical, both in training and in managing your life outside the gym.

Let me know any other subjects you'd like me to go over. Just leave a comment below and I'll try to make a video about them. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and check out my book, "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor," available on Amazon for just $4.99.

Remember, train smart and preserve your body! Thank you for reading.