There have been endless discussions on the topic of what fighters can learn from other sports. There is a great deal of discussion on the internet, in boxing forums and at martial arts tournaments. The problem is that many of the responses you will find are not very informed.
First of all, let me say that there is nothing wrong with looking at what other fighters can learn from other sports. There are some truly talented athletes in mixed martial arts. I know for a fact that there are fighters out there that have trained and fought in other combat sports and it has helped them to become better.
Still, let’s put the question about what fighters can learn from other sports aside for the moment. In my opinion, there is a flaw in the way that some people view mixed martial arts. I say this because the UFC is viewed by many fans and the fighters as “outsiders” in a sports world where sports stars are always looked up to and idolized.
It’s hard to argue that the UFC injects some true sportsmanship into the mix. The main event fights always get everyone excited and it’s exciting to see two people who don’t really know each other come to blows. You never see fighters trash talking to each other before the fight like players in the MLS. They never say things like “you’re just a stupid little punk” or “don’t mess with the masters”.
What most people do not realize is that a lot of the times the fights that go down in the octagon are not even true fights. fighters get hurt and when they get hurt they don’t go back to their normal selves. They stay in the gym and work on their strategy until they are stronger and more fit. What many fighters can learn from other sports is that all you need is discipline and hard work.
Another thing that some people fail to realize is that the martial arts game has changed quite a bit over the years. While the traditional fighting techniques have stayed pretty much the same, the MMA game has evolved into a much more aggressive sport. One of the biggest changes I have seen come from the martial arts aspect of the MMA game is that fighters are now using shin guards (also known as shin pads). Fighters are getting bigger and stronger and the strikes they are using are becoming harder to defend against.
Some may argue that because the fighters are stronger that they can easily take down opponents who are smaller than them. That may very well be true, but even in the traditional fighting styles there were fights where a fighter would overpower his opponent and then just submit him. If you take a good look at the various sports that use striking techniques such as Muay Thai, kickboxing and boxing you will see that fighters often times wear shin guards or groin guards during the fight. This is to protect their legs from being injured in a Submission Hold.
There are many things that can be learned from a fighter in any given sport. Not all of it can be used in the ring, but that does not mean you cannot pick up a few tips from your favorite fighter. You can also use this information in the gym and improve your own game. What fighters can learn from other sports is the importance of working on your technique and being a better overall athlete.
The key to becoming a great athlete is to train hard and have the right mindset. Many people do not realize that you have to train with a particular sport in mind before you can become successful at that sport. The same holds true for learning martial arts. You have to first learn how to do the technique in the martial art that you are training in before you can effectively apply it in the ring. Once you have that skill, you can then transfer it to any other martial art style you wish to learn.
A common misconception about martial arts is that you have to be in top shape to participate. The truth is that if you are a young person just starting out, you can get a great deal of benefit from participating in martial arts training. All you have to do is get started and find a sport that you enjoy so that you can begin taking martial arts classes.
It is important to know what fighters can learn from other sports before you decide whether or not to take up the sport yourself. There is plenty of research available that will help you determine whether or not you would be successful at the sport. If you are looking to become a professional mixed martial arts fighter, there are plenty of training programs available for you online as well. All you have to do is take the time to find the right program for you!