WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO DO TO HAVE GOOD CARDIO IN MMA! 🥊🥋😎

Hey everyone! We've got an important question today regarding how to improve your cardio for fighting. Whether you're gearing up for your next amateur fight or aiming to go pro, having top-notch cardio is crucial. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what really works and what doesn't.

The Real Deal: Sparring, Sparring, Sparring

When it comes to fighting, there's nothing quite like the real thing. Sparring, whether it's grappling or striking, is the cornerstone of improving your fight cardio. Constantly engaging in high-paced, high-intensity sparring sessions mimics the real deal: punching someone in the face, kicking hard, and wrestling with shoulder pressure.

Key Advice

There's nothing simulates fighting like really fighting.

Incorporating consistent sparring sessions where you push the pace and attack relentlessly will condition your heart and lungs better than any other method.

Why Strength and Conditioning Might Be Overrated

In today's fight world, strength and conditioning are often glorified. But is it really as essential as we've been led to believe?

While strength conditioning can be beneficial, it often takes a back seat to actual fighting practice. Fighters who've been training since a young age can afford to focus more on conditioning, but if you're starting late in your career, here's a pro tip:

Focus more on skill set development rather than spending an hour of your two-hour practice session on strength and conditioning.

A Practical Schedule

If you have:

Limited Time: Prioritize skill sets. Train hard in your available time.
More Time: Incorporate conditioning, but never skip technical training.

Tailoring Your Training to Your Experience

Your training regimen should be tailored to where you are in your fighting career. Have you been training your whole life? If so, adding strength and conditioning works well. But if you've started late and are trying to catch up, here are a few thoughts:

1. Skill Over Strength: Focus on honing your fight skills.
2. Simulate Real Fights: Engage in intense, real-esque sparring sessions.

Practical Conditioning Tips

If you're confined to a limited training schedule, here’s how to maximize your time:

Bag Work

Routine
10 X 3-minute rounds on punching bags: That’s 30 minutes of high-intensity work with 1-minute rest intervals.

Total Time: 45 minutes

Grappling

Routine
5 X 5-minute rounds of grappling: A solid 25-minute cardio workout.

Tip: Focus on takedown drills and heavy rolling sessions to simulate an actual fight scenario.

Supplemental Exercises

After your technical training, you can add:

Push-ups, Pull-ups, Dips: Strengthen your upper body and build endurance.

Never Skip Rounds

One vital piece of advice: Never, ever skip rounds during training. Whether it's sparring or grappling, always push through each round.

The answer is, you get your cardio from doing the rounds. That is the best advice I can give anybody is never set out around.

Personal Anecdote

When I started training at 20, I made it a point to outwork everyone in the gym. I wouldn’t let myself sit out even for a single round. This mentality pushed me to reach higher levels of cardio and skill.

The Role of Technique

Even if you're in the best shape of your life, poor technique can be your undoing. Knowing how to escape bad positions or defend against attacks is crucial. Balance your intense training sessions with a focus on mastering techniques:

Defending Double-Legs
Escaping Mount and Back Positions

Conclusion: Train Hard, Train Smart

To wrap it up, achieving excellent fight cardio comes down to one simple principle: train hard and fight hard in practice. Whether you're sparring, hitting the bags, or working on technique, give it your all.

Additional Tips
Supplement with Conditioning: Push-ups, pull-ups, sprints, and running post-practice.
Don’t Skip Technique for Cardio: Balancing both is essential.

Let us know what other topics you'd like to see! Drop your questions in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our guide on choosing the right martial arts school for you.

Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School

Thanks for reading, and keep training hard!

Remember to align your ambitions with your training intensity and always stay hungry for improvement. Happy fighting!

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. What works best for you in keeping your fight cardio top-notch?