MMA is a combat sport that relies heavily on an athlete’s techniques and physical attributes. Similar to other sports, MMA fighters tend to peak and decline as they continue to age and take beatings. So when do MMA fighters peak? 

When Do MMA Fighters Peak?

MMA fighters don’t have a specific age when they peak. However, depending on training, work ethics, and physical attributes, fighters tend to peak around three to five years after starting their professional bouts. The peak ages can last for five years before decline starts after around ten years. 

Read on for an in-depth discussion of when MMA fighters peak and whether the combat sport has age limits.

What Age Do MMA Fighters Begin To Decline?

MMA fighters begin to decline after around nine to ten years since the start of their professional fights. For example, a fighter that started his MMA career aged 25 will start to decline when around 33-35 years. Similarly, a fighter who started at 20 will start to decline at around 30. 

An athlete who starts fighting in his twenties is likely to have a longer career before declining than one who starts in his thirties. This is because the human body becomes less capable of fast recoveries with time, making it harder for older athletes to cope with injuries.

On average, however, most MMA fighters start to decline in their mid to late thirties, with the decline accelerating as the years advance.

An individual who starts his MMA career in his thirties is likely to have a faster decline than younger athletes as the body becomes less capable of handling powerful attacks and recovering well after time. 

Some MMA fighters can start to decline in their early twenties, especially if they sustain long-term injuries. Injuries usually play a huge role in determining how long an MMA fighter’s career lasts.

Persistent long-term injuries can lead to a premature decline, effectively ruling out a fighter’s chances of fighting for over a decade. 

Is 30 Too Old To Begin MMA? 

Although 30 years is not too old to begin MMA, it isn’t the best age either. A thirty-year-old beginner might peak late, say aged 37-38, making it extra hard to maintain their peak years. 

There is no upper age limit in MMA as dedicated athletes can fight well into their forties. However, the earlier an individual starts his professional MMA career, the more likely he will succeed and climb up the ranks.

Some athletes join MMA well into their thirties. An example is Marion Reneau, who started her professional MMA career aged 33. Despite her advanced age, Marion has established herself as an expert fighter, winning most of her fights by knockout. 

Therefore, in order for an athlete to prolong his peak, he should consider joining MMA as early as possible. Starting early allows the body to adjust to MMA’s physicality, which explains why fighters who start early usually peak for longer. 

Is There An Age Limit In MMA/UFC?

Athletes must be 18 years and above to participate in UFC sanctioned MMA fights. There is no maximum age limit for MMA, which means athletes can compete for as long as their bodies allow. UFC laws don’t have many prohibitions when it comes to age. 

Despite not being able to compete professionally, young children and teenage athletes interested in MMA are usually advised to start early. Starting early increases the chances of peaking early and having a prolonged MMA career. 

Since there is no upper age limit, MMA fighters can play well into their forties. Some popular MMA fighters above forty include Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Kazushi Sakuraba. Athletes below 18 years are prohibited from fighting professionally as the severe hits can negatively affect their development.

At What Age Do MMA Fighters Retire?

Most MMA fighters usually retire in their late thirties and early forties. Similar to most sports, retirement in MMA is usually a personal decision that athletes make depending on how their bodies respond to the sport. There is no standard retiring age in MMA. 

As mentioned earlier, athletes start to decline after several years of fighting professionally. Older athletes require more time to recover after bouts, unlike their younger counterparts.

Although rare, young fighters under 25 can also retire from the sport, especially after sustaining serious injuries during training or actual matches.

So what is the right age to retire? The right retiring age should depend on how an athlete feels. Some indicators that an athlete is nearing the twilight of his professional career include: 

• Longer recovery time: Most athletes that retire in their late thirties or early forties cite delayed recovery as the main reason behind the retirement decision. An injury that healed in a week will take longer to heal fully, making it hard for older athletes to keep up with tight schedules and training regimens.

• Increased defeats: A large number of MMA fighters tend to experience successive defeats as they get older. And while defeats are normal, successive losses through decision can indicate that it’s time to retire. Most athletes prefer to retire to avoid ruining their win-loss ratios. 

• Increased Knockouts: Another indicator that perhaps it’s time to retire is an increased number of losses through knockouts. A fighter who previously never lost by KO will get concerned if losses by knockouts increase towards the tail end of his career. 

• Reduced performance levels: Most MMA fighters will consider retiring if they can’t train and fight at a high level. Poor training techniques will almost certainly increase the odds of defeat, which explains why most MMA fighters consider retiring if they can no longer train as well as before. 

Wrapping Up

MMA fighters peak around three to five years after starting their professional careers. However, the age at which fighters peak depends on a number of reasons. Factors like training routine, physicality, and dedication play a huge role in determining when an athlete peaks. 

Fighters who start early are usually better placed to maintain their peak compared to those who start in their mid or late twenties. As a result, athletes interested in MMA are usually advised to start as early as possible, provided they’re above the minimum age.

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Mouth Guard Best MMA Gloves Best Groin Protection Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• Bloodyelbow: Going Deeper Into Mma Fighter Longevity Does Age Matter
• Strictly Fighters: Is There An Age Limit In MMA
• Fightopinion: 9 Year Rule MMA UFC
• Dillonbhuff: How Important Is Age In MMA
• Health.harvard: Exercise And Aging Can You Walk Away From Father Time 
• Sportskeeda:5 UFC Fighters Who Retired Early

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is most likely the most popular combat sport in the world. Additionally, it is also a popular form of workout as well, where many pursue MMA not as a tool to fight but as a means to improve one’s physique and mental attributes.

Can you Train MMA Without Fighting?

There are numerous ways where an individual can learn MMA without throwing a single punch to a person. But you just have to remind yourself that you will not be using MMA as a martial art, but as a tool to improve your mental and physical health.

The article will cover ways that you can train MMA without fighting and ways to learn MMA by yourself when there is not any gym or coaches to go to around you. Further, the article also lists the required equipment in order to do so, especially in terms of striking-based training.

How Do You Train MMA Without Fighting?

If you are someone who is attracted to the sport of MMA but has no desire to fight at all, you can still absolutely do MMA. 

MMA is not always filled with people who want to punch or choke each other out, which is a big misconception about the MMA community. The MMA community is filled with individuals trying to pursue a skill set for fighting and those who use MMA as a tool for a great workout.

If you are an individual who is just fascinated by the sport, thinks it’s a great workout tool, and has no interest in fighting whatsoever, you can definitely do it.

MMA is a technical and drilling-based sport. Although a significant part of MMA is sparring, whether it is light or heavy, another important part is drilling with a partner or on MMA equipment, such as a heavy bag.

So if you want to focus on a great workout, look into drills on MMA equipment as well as with partners. There are millions of ways that you can work on your MMA while improving your physical performance. 

However, will this improve your overall MMA game against other people? Most likely not. This requires a lot of sparring as well as technical drilling with partners. Otherwise, you won’t have any idea how to execute a particular technique on an actual person. 

Can MMA be Self-Taught?

People should know that learning MMA is not just about learning to beat people up and have a good physique while doing it.

Technically, any kind of skill set can be self-taught. Therefore, MMA, just like any other activity out there, can be self-taught. The question is, is it a good idea? Especially if you are starting from scratch? The answer is no; it is not recommended.

On the contrary, MMA relies heavily on reactive training and can only be effective if there are at least two people training. This allows proper drilling and technical training with one another.

But for beginners who want to have an early start before jumping into an actual MMA gym, there are fundamental techniques that one can learn from home from reputable online sources.

Here is an example of a few reputable online sources that beginners can look into:

• Gracie University
• Liam Harrison Training
• FloWrestling
• BJJ Fanatics by John Danaher
• Don Heatricks Muay Thai Performance Training

However, if you are a very experienced MMA fighter who is trying to learn new techniques through self-taught methods, you are more welcome to do so.

Experienced MMA fighters will have enough understanding of the basic fundamentals of MMA to learn new techniques on their own without picking up any bad habits. 

Once more, the basics of MMA are key. Once you have mastered them, it should not be too hard to expand your knowledge of the sport.

What Equipment Do You Need for MMA?

Learning MMA means you need to have equipment for striking, wrestling, and BJJ training. Therefore, you need to be properly equipped in order to train in the three areas of MMA. We’ll divide the equipment based on the three main areas of MMA.

Striking

In boxing and Muay Thai, the most important equipment is the hand wraps and the gloves to ensure that you do not injure your hand and wrist when striking. If you want to drill and spar, then you will have to have shin guards and mouth guards for proper protection.

Here is what equipment you will need for striking in MMA:

• Boxing gloves 
• Hand wraps
• Shin guards
• Mouthguard

Having the striking equipment above will ensure that you are training, drilling, and sparring safely with your partners, as well as preventing other types of injuries when training with striking-specific equipment, such as a heavy bag.

Wrestling and No-Gi Jiujitsu

Wrestling or grappling requires less equipment than striking. 

Here is the list of equipment needed for wrestling/no-Gi training:

• Rashguard
• Compression pants/comfortable wrestling pants
• Mouthguard
• Wrestling ear guards (optional)

Essentially, you would want rash guards as well as compression pants to avoid any mat burns when training. Additionally, baggy shirts or pants may hinder getting caught during training.

When sparring during wrestling and no-Gi, also known as rolling, you need mouthguards. Optionally, you can wear ear guards to avoid cauliflower ears.

Traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (with Gi)

Traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is slightly similar to wrestling and no-Gi Jiujitsu.

 Here is the shortlist of equipment for training BJJ with the Gi:

• Jiujitsu Gi set
• Mouthguard
• Wrestling ear guards (optional)

The only difference is that BJJ requires you to have a Gi, a thick-material kimono-looking uniform traditionally used in Karate and Judo. The Gi includes the top, pants, and a colored belt of your respective rank. Additionally, for safety purposes, mouth guards are required, as well as wrestling ear guards.

How Do You Practice Striking by Yourself?

If you absolutely have no one that can assist you in training boxing, kickboxing, or Muay Thai and that there are no available gyms around your area that you can go to, all hope is not lost. As long as you have the proper training equipment installed in your house, you can train striking by yourself. 

Again, is it recommend it? No, but you do what you can and what is available. 

Here is the list of equipment that is essential to have when training striking at home:

• Hand wraps
• Boxing gloves
• Heavy bag
• Jump rope
• Slip rope (optional)
• Double-end bag (optional)
• Speed bag (optional)

At this point, having boxing gloves and hand wraps is self-explanatory. You need them to punch comfortably as well as to avoid any injury to your wrist and hands.

Jump ropes are a very popular tool and can be found in every single striking-specific gym, such as boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. Not only is it a great warm-up tool, but it will improve your footwork, which is incredibly important in striking-based martial arts.

The heavy bag will likely be an essential tool you will have. A proper kickboxing heavy bag allows you to punch as well as kick comfortably. 

Some heavy bags out there are made out of thicker material that will hurt you when you kick. But some are great, especially Muay Thai brand heavy bags, such as Fairtex, which are made of excellent material and comfortable when training kicks.

Finally, other training accessories are great but do not necessarily include the slip rope double-end bag and speed bag.

A slip rope will help in working on your head movements, which is crucial to avoid punches. Double-end bags are great for practicing hitting a target as well as countering and reacting. Finally, the speed bag can help in improving a fighter’s rhythm.

Conclusion

All in all, you do not need to fight when you want to train for MMA. Sure, you can significantly improve your MMA skills when participating in sparring, heavy drilling, and even fighting; however, it is unnecessary, especially if your goal does not center around fighting.

As long as you have the proper equipment as well as proper guidance, you can still train in MMA effectively. If you follow the guide above, you will be able to do so in no time.

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Mouth Guard Best MMA Gloves Best Groin Protection Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Although mostly viewed as a high octane combat sport, MMA revolves around recovery, especially for pro athletes after an official match.

Some common post-fight injuries include cuts and bruises on both the face and body, while the thighs and ribs can also take some hits. So how long does it take for MMA fighters to recover after a fight? 

How Long Does It Take for MMA Fighters To Recover After a Fight?

MMA fighters usually take a few days after a fight to recover from minor wounds, such as cuts or bruises. At the same time, more severe injuries, such as broken limbs, can take weeks or months to heal completely. A fighter’s BMI, health, and recovery techniques also contribute to their recovery time. 

This article will discuss the recovery process after an MMA fight, how athletes can improve their recovery time and the common types of injuries after fights. 

MMA fighters shouldn’t engage in physical training (weights and cardio) until their affected body parts have recovered enough. This explains why some fighters might even stay a month without physical training or even entering the ring. 

MMA fighters might stay out for several months before beginning their training regimens for injuries that require surgery. It all depends on the extent of the damage. Moreover, athletes are usually encouraged to focus more on recovery than training immediately after a fight. 

There is no standard recovery time for MMA fighters. The types of hits a fighter takes, coupled with diet, weight, and overall health, all play a huge role in determining recovery times. 

What Do MMA Fighters Do To Recover After a Fight?

Physical and mental recovery is a crucial part of MMA. Every athlete needs to take some time to heal, re-energize, and refocus before starting preparations for the next fight. Below are activities MMA fighters do to recover after a fight. 

To recover after a fight, MMA fighters focus on eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, letting their bodies rest, and receiving deep tissue massages and ice treatments to help repair their muscles. 

Eat Balanced Diets 

Every athlete is required to eat well to boost muscle recovery. However, for athletes participating in combat sports, the importance of eating balanced diets and plenty of fluids cannot be overstated. 

MMA fighters should give priority to a balanced diet more than anything else. Foods rich in proteins will help promote faster muscle healing while also maintaining muscle mass. It is also crucial to consume proteins before sleep to promote faster recovery through the night. 

Foods rich in magnesium such as seeds, whole grains, greens, and nuts also play a pivotal role in relaxing muscles and promoting fat and protein synthesis. MMA fighters should also prioritize omega-3 rich foods like oysters, sardines, salmon, and even supplements like the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega from Amazon.

Sleep and Rest

Eating a balanced diet without giving the body enough time to recover is a sure recipe for disaster. As a good rule of thumb, MMA fighters should aim to sleep for a minimum of eight hours after a fight. If possible, fighters should even sleep for more hours, especially after a match. 

Sleep stimulates muscle repair and growth as the body releases hormones that reduce and slowly eliminate muscle soreness. Unfortunately, Cortisone levels tend to increase with lack of enough sleep, which affects the production of testosterone, thereby slowing down an athlete’s recovery process. 

Massage

Deep tissue massage is widely used to fasten the recovery times of MMA fighters after a match. This popular therapy is commonly used in the treatment of musculoskeletal issues like injuries and muscle strains. 

Massage therapy, more specifically deep tissue massage, helps break up the scar tissues that form after an injury, thereby reducing tension in the affected tissue. This therapy increases blood flow, promotes faster healing, and reduces inflammation. 

Some experts prefer using quality foam rollers like the Trigger Point GRID Foam Roller from Amazon to help administer a deep tissue massage and other muscle recovery exercises. The massage techniques used mostly depend on the type of injury and the body parts affected. 

Ice Treatment 

An ice bath can play a huge role in boosting recovery times and reducing muscle swells. And although not all MMA fighters take ice baths after a fight, those who do tend to register better recovery times. Ice Packs are also used as alternatives to soothe sore body parts and speed up their recovery times. 

Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is another way for MMA fighters to speed up their recovery by destroying irritant nerves. Cryotherapy is practiced by a few MMA fighters but still manages to yield positive outcomes by relieving pain and reducing inflammation. 

What Are Common Injuries After an MMA Fight?

Any blow to the head that leaves you disoriented is a medical event. You win an MMA match by knocking your opponent out, applying a hold they cannot escape without dislocations, or injuring them so badly the referee stops the fight.

As you might expect, many MMA fights end with one or both fighters injured.  

Here are some of the most common injuries you will see after an MMA fight:

• Head injuries
• Hand, wrist, and finger injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries

Head Injuries 

MMA fighters are usually prone to many head injuries, including lacerations, hematomas, dental injuries, concussions, and nasal fractures. Some of these injuries heal fast, while others will need a lot more time to heal. 

Hand, Wrist, and Finger Injuries

Hand injuries are common in MMA and often arise when punching or striking the opponent. These injuries usually manifest as fractures of the various interphalangeal joints. Surgery may be required for severely torn ligaments and fractures. 

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are also common in MMA, especially during grappling. Posterior and anterior shoulder dislocations also tend to occur after the overuse of the shoulder muscles. Rotator cuff tears may appear during an armbar, and pectoralis tears frequently happen during takedowns.

Knee injuries

As one of the most exposed joints, the knee joint can sustain serious injury when a fighter lands awkwardly or makes sudden movements in different directions. Some common knee injuries include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears. 

Wrapping Up 

The risks of injury are usually high in MMA due to the physical nature of the sport. While some wounds heal fast, others require more time to recover fully. As a result, MMA fighters must be as disciplined in recovery as they are inside the ring. 

Some serious injuries might require surgery and prolonged rehabilitation. However, mild injuries sustained during fights can be treated by eating healthy, drinking lots of fluids, and allowing the body enough time to recover. 

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Mouth Guard Best MMA Gloves Best Groin Protection Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources 

• Very Well Health: Everything You Need to Know About Deep Tissue Massage
• Bleacher Report: MMA the Morning After: The Reality of Recovering from Fight Night
• Fight Back MMA: How do Pro MMA fighters recover faster for the next fight?
• Healthline: Is a Deep Tissue Massage What Your Muscles Need?
• Medical News Today: What are the benefits of cryotherapy?
• Singapore SPORTS and Orthopaedic Clinic: Lacerations Wound
• The Journal of Urgent Care Medicine: Mixed Martial Arts Injuries

MMA is a high-impact combat sport that can get messy, especially in high-stake matches. The drops of blood in the octagon, coupled with the sight of a badly messed face or even a fractured nose, often lead to the question- how often do MMA fighters and boxers lose their teeth? 

How Often Do MMA Fighters and Boxers Lose Their Teeth?

MMA fighters and boxers rarely lose their teeth. This is because pro fighters are often required to wear mouthguards to protect their teeth and inner jaws from the impact of punches, jabs, elbows, and kicks. However, low-quality mouthguards can lead to loss of teeth. 

This article will discuss some of the dental risks associated with MMA and boxing and the safety measures taken to prevent loss of teeth during matches. 

How Do MMA Fighters and Boxers Protect Their Teeth?

MMA fighters and boxers protect their teeth by keeping their jaws tightly closed during the fighting, biting down on their guard, and using the best mouthguards available.   

There are two main techniques used by fighters, boxers, and other combat sports participants to protect their teeth. 

Fight Technique

Most amateur fighters and boxers end up with shattered teeth due to poor fighting techniques. Failure to bite the mouthguard, especially when looking to catch a breath, can lead to the loss of teeth if the opponent delivers a heavy punch. 

Therefore, MMA fighters, boxers, and other participants in disciplines that permit punches and kicks, must be well-trained to dodge and minimize the impact of attacks. This means keeping both the upper and lower jaws locked, especially when close to the opponent. 

Mouthguards

The importance of mouth guards in combat sports cannot be overstated. Failure to wear mouth guards properly increases the chances of losing teeth during fights.

This explains why professional fighters always strive to get the best mouth guards to absorb assaults and leave the teeth untouched. 

Although mouthguards can be removed in between rounds, it is important to put them back on correctly before kicking off the next round. Most amateur MMA fighters and boxers end up with dental injuries because of fighting without mouthguards. 

Best Mouthguards for MMA Fighters and Boxers 

As established above, mouth guards play a huge role in protecting the teeth of MMA fighters and boxers. 

The best mouth guards for MMA fighters and boxers include:

• Impact Custom Professional MMA/Boxing/Muay Thai Mouthguard
• Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouth Guard
• Opro Power-fit Mouthguard
• GuardLab Apex Mouthguard
• Under Armour Sport Mouth Guard

Impact Custom Professional MMA/Boxing/Muay Thai Mouthguard 

The Impact Custom Professional Mouth guard from Amazon.com is among the best mouth guards when it comes to comfort. Not only does it have a simplistic design, but it is specifically handcrafted to meet the needs of both amateur and professional fighters. 

The 6-7mm thickness allows for optimal oxygen flow when worn without compromising the guard’s impact absorbance potential. To ensure the mouthguard fits perfectly, the manufacturers will send you a fit kit for you to make your dental impression before sending it back. 

Pros 

• Custom-fitted to suit each fighter’s unique dental structure
• Thick enough to absorb heavy impacts 
• BPA- free and made in the USA 
• Available in a variety of colors 
• Unique internal design allows for optimal oxygen flow 

Cons

• You’ll have to wait for the guard to be crafted based on your dental impression

Shock Doctor Gel Max Mouth Guard 

Featuring a unique gel-fit liner mechanism, the Shock Doctor’s mold is designed to fit your gums and teeth with little room for error. In addition, the mouth guard is available in a wide variety of colors and boasts several breathing channels for ease of breathing when in use. 

The exoskeletal frame is great at absorbing shock, ensuring your teeth remain safe even after the hardest impacts. The mouthguard is also great at preventing teeth from grinding and keeping the tongue and cheek well protected during a fight. 

Pros 

• Made from durable, BPA-free material 
• Triple-layer design provides extra protection
• The shock frame keeps the teeth safe despite heavy impact assaults 
• Highly breathable 
• Available in different sizes
• Comes both flavored and unflavored 

Cons

• Some people complain of fitting issues

Opro Power-Fit Mouthguard

Opro has established a solid reputation as one of the best mouthguard manufacturers. Not only is the Opro Power-Fit Mouthguard extra comfortable, but it is also reinforced with a solid, highly durable external shell for enhanced protection. 

You can get the mouthguard in a variety of sizes, making it great for both kids and adults. Moreover, the Opro Power-Fit Mouthguard boasts a uniquely designed inner channel that provides a tight fit while the outer layer ensures the impact from blows is well absorbed.

Pros   

• Impressive contouring ability for a tight fit 
• Durable impact-resistant outer layer 
• The inner channel is uniquely designed for ease-of-breathing 
• Comes with an impressive 18-month warranty 

Cons

• Some users can experience gum discomfort
• Difficult for some users to get Power-Cage molding impression right 

GuardLab Apex Mouthguard

Developed through 3D technology, the GuardLab Apex Mouthguard is among the most comfortable and durable mouth guards around. Moreover, the quality mouth guard is designed for the upper teeth, making it ideal for impact absorption in contact sports. 

The mouthguard is made from BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free materials, making it a great value for your hard-earned cash. It is also easy to customize as you’ll need to boil and bite to make a great custom fit for your mouth. 

Pros 

• The pre-indented outline makes it easier to mold 
• Available in a variety of sizes and colors 
• Made from quality BPA and phthalate-free materials 
• Durable 
• Comfortable on the gum

Cons 

• Needs some getting used to when new
• Incorrect customization can lead to fitting issues

Under Armour Sport Mouth Guard 

Under Armour needs no introduction when it comes to the manufacture of quality sports gear and accessories. The internationally renowned company doesn’t disappoint with its extra comfy mouth guard for contact sports. 

Featuring a gel-fit liner, the Under Armour Sport Mouth Guard is designed to fit easily and form to the gums and teeth of a fighter. It also boasts a unique design (dual-layer) that provides advanced protection and ultimate pressure absorption. 

Pros 

• Comes with integrated breathing channels for ease of breathing 
• Adaptable design makes it highly versatile in terms of fitting 
• Can be worn for extended periods 
• Durable 

Cons 

•  Doesn’t work too well with braces 

Wrapping Up 

It is important to take the necessary safety precautions when participating in combat sports. Aggressive sports like boxing and MMA can lead to a handful of facial and dental injuries, hence the need to wear safety-enhancing accessories, like mouthguards. 

Although wearing mouth guards is a great way to enhance safety, it is important to put them on correctly to reduce the chances of losing teeth or sustaining serious jaw injuries. 

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Mouth Guard Best MMA Gloves Best Groin Protection Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources 

• Houston’s Pediatric Dentist: The Tooth-Shattering History of Mouthguards
• Fitness To Diet: Do MMA Fighters Lose Teeth?
• Oral Mart: The Importance of Wearing a Sports Mouthguard
• Harder Punch: Why Do Boxers Wear Mouth Guards?
• Way of Martial Arts: Do MMA Fighters Wear Mouthguards? And Should You?

As a combat sport that involves grappling, ground fighting, and striking, MMA requires proper physical conditioning, high levels of concentration, a good strategy, and last but not least, good eyesight. But not all MMA fighters have eagle eyes, which leads to the question- can MMA fighters wear contacts?

Can MMA Fighters Wear Contacts?

MMA fighters with poor eyesight can wear contacts provided the relevant (state) athletic commission has no rule against the use of contacts. However, most state athletic commissions have vision requirements that all fighters must meet before being allowed to participate in matches.

If you’re still reading, chances are you want to know more about MMA rules regarding fighters with bad eyesight. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about fighting with poor eyesight and whether the MMA allows fighters to wear contacts and sports goggles.

Can MMA Fighters Wear Contacts?

MMA fighters can wear contacts during training and when fighting. The Unified Rules of MMA allow fighters with poor eyesight to fight professionally. However, most MMA organizations leave the setting of rules to relevant athletic commissions, which determine whether athletes can use contacts.

Most states allow for the use of soft contacts. But, for a contact-wearing athlete to compete in a professional fight, he or she must still meet the minimum set eyesight threshold.

This is because similar to most combat sports, MMA is heavily reliant on a timer, and an athlete can’t stop the timer in case the contacts fall off upon impact. 

Therefore, athletes who opt to use contacts to improve eyesight must still have good enough eyesight to continue with the bout until the round ends.  

Is It Possible To Train MMA With Bad Eyesight?

It is possible to train MMA with bad eyesight. However, besides the risk of not getting approved by the relevant athletics commission in case of extremely bad eyesight, fighters with poor eyesight are often disadvantaged and less likely to compete effectively.

While contacts can help improve eyesight and thus boost your chances of competing in professional matches, they won’t be able to make significant improvements to your overall eyesight. This can prove problematic, especially in high stake matchups with little room for error.

MMA is not an ideal sport for people with extremely bad eyesight. An example is the highly publicized 2012 case involving Derek Brunson and the Ohio Athletic Commission, where the fighter was barred from fighting despite previously wearing contacts. 

According to the then-Executive Director of Ohio’s Athletic Commission, the issue was that Brunson’s eyesight had severely deteriorated from his previous bouts. 

Therefore, despite being disadvantaged due to poor eyesight, MMA fighters with eye issues are highly likely to worsen their eye problems, especially if they end up taking serious hits.

This means that although contact-wearing athletes might receive the go-ahead to fight, they’re less likely to have lasting careers and may end up with lasting vision damage. 

Can You Wear Sports Goggles in MMA?

Sports goggles can be worn by MMA fighters during training. However, sports goggles aren’t allowed in professional matches. Instead, you can use quality sports goggles like the Pellor Sports Safety Goggles from Amazon.com when working on training routines that don’t involve grappling or striking.

However, although effective in improving vision during training, sports goggles cannot be used throughout all training sessions, more so when sparring, which is a huge part of MMA training.

Therefore, if you must use sports goggles for MMA, then it’s wise to have contacts on standby as they can come in handy when working on grappling and striking techniques. 

Tips for MMA Fighters With Bad Eyesight

Having bad eyesight shouldn’t stop you from enjoying an amateur or professional MMA career. Although poor eyesight can leave you disadvantaged when fighting an opponent with eagle eyes, you can still work on your weakness and improve your attacks by observing the following tips. 

Train With Punching Bags

Despite its reputation as a high-energy combat sport, MMA is also a game of strategy and execution. The best way to reduce the impact of your poor eyesight is by working on your movements and reactions. The trick is to remove your glasses and train the way you would enter the ring. 

Practicing with both speed and heavy bags will allow you to adapt to throws and work on your reactions. And while this approach might prove difficult at first, you’ll get the hang of it if you remain consistent in your training. 

Consider investing in high-quality punching bags like the Outslayer Filled Punching Bag (available on Amazon) when training heavy. The Hunter Speed Striking Bag from Amazon is also a great option when speed training, more so when working on rebounds and reactions. 

Embrace Shadowboxing

While shadowboxing might come off as a pretty straightforward technique, it can help you work on your movements. This is because shadowboxing improves your muscle memory, allowing you to understand how to stand, throw punches and react to potential attacks. 

When shadowboxing, it’s crucial to remove your glasses and train exactly how you’ll fight in the octagon. Try to work on your concentration, paying close attention to how you breathe, stand and throw punches.

The more you shadowbox, the more likely you are to improve muscle memory, which can make a huge difference in a real match setup. 

Work With a Partner Who Understands Your Weakness

Although all MMA fighters need sparring partners for effective training, fighters with poor eyesight should prioritize working with skilled partners more than other training regimens. A training partner will allow you to recreate a real match environment, ensuring you work on your reflexes and movements. 

Work with a partner who understands your weakness and pushes your poor eyesight to a healthy limit. This will allow you to know your limits, especially when sparring, as you’ll improve your senses and reactions over time. 

Use Techniques That Suit Your Compromised Eyesight

Poor eyesight shouldn’t be a massive disadvantage if you play your cards well. Most athletes with bad eyesight recommend fighting close to opponents to avoid abrupt attacks.

Getting close to opponents gives you the chance to soak up kicks and punches, which can make a huge difference when attacking and defending. 

You can also work on your ground game as it’ll give you more control when fighting. Ground and pound is an effective way to avoid haymakers and wild punches that can catch you off guard when fighting in standing positions. 

Wrapping Up

Fighting with bad eyesight can leave you severely disadvantaged, especially when pitted against opponents with good vision. The good news is you can wear contacts if relevant athletic committees permit. 

Although contacts can improve your vision, they won’t make your eyesight perfect, hence the need to practice your movements, reactions, and anticipations by working with a skilled enough sparring partner.

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Mouth Guard Best MMA Gloves Best Groin Protection Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• All Fight Gear: Boxing With Bad Eyesight
• MMA Channel: How Do MMA Fighters Deal With Bad Vision?
• Stanton Optical: Soft Contact Lenses Vs. Hard Contact Lenses
• MMA For The Working Man: Can MMA Fighters Wear Contact Lenses?
• Bloody Elbow: Derek Brunson Explains Visions Issues That Forced Him Out Of Ufc 200
• Way of Martial Arts: Can Ufc Mma Fighters Wear Contact Lenses?

The use of marijuana in MMA has been a contentious topic, with many top UFC fighters openly admitting to smoking marijuana for recreational purposes.

The often harsh suspensions and penalties issued to marijuana-smoking UFC fighters have led to widespread calls for a reform in regulations, which leads to the question, are UFC fighters allowed to smoke weed? 

Are UFC Fighters Allowed To Smoke Weed?

According to new rules, UFC fighters are allowed to smoke weed, but only for recreational purposes. In early 2021, the UFC announced that positive THC tests wouldn’t be viewed as a doping violation. However, for tests to be considered negative, THC levels should not be above 15 ng/mL (0.015mg/l).

This article will focus on marijuana use in the UFC, discussing some of the advantages and disadvantages of smoking weed for UFC fighters. We’ll also mention some of the fighters that smoke and advocate for the use of marijuana.

Until UFC’s decision to stop treating THC as a prohibited substance, there was great confusion as to whether fighters were allowed to smoke. The regulation permits UFC fighters to smoke marijuana provided the levels aren’t higher than the permitted levels (under 15 ng/mL). 

Therefore, although the UFC doesn’t encourage fighters to smoke weed, the MMA promoting body won’t penalize fighters for returning tests with traces of THC. This means that, provided UFC fighters smoke weed during their recreational time, they won’t get penalized. 

However, smoking high amounts of weed in the lead up to a fight or using the drug to affect performance isn’t permitted by the UFC and can lead to penalties, fines, and suspensions. 

What Are the Benefits of Smoking Weed For UFC Fighters?

People smoke weed for a variety of reasons. The same applies to UFC fighters, who, as UFC chair Dana White asserts, smoke weed for personal reasons.

Although governing bodies don’t advocate for marijuana use prior, during, and after fights, more athletes are warming up to the idea of smoking weed for the advantages listed below. 

UFC fighters benefit from smoking weed because it helps them relax and rest, relieves anxiety and stress, can aid in pain reduction, and can assist in recovery after injury.

Weed Helps To Relax

While not all UFC fighters smoke weed, a large number of fighters indulge in marijuana for recreational purposes outside their various fight schedules. Joe Rogan, a renowned UFC commentator, highlights that more UFC athletes smoke weed than those who don’t. 

Smoking weed allows UFC fighters to relax and unwind. Most fighters claim to love the high that comes with smoking weed, especially during off-days and vacations. 

Smoking Weed Helps to Alleviate Anxiety

For some fighters, smoking weed helps to reduce anxiety, which can be a huge plus, especially for fighters recovering after a fight or those preparing for a fight that’s still far away. In addition to its many medical uses, marijuana is also used to calm nerves, reduce anxiety and stress. 

Popular UFC fighter Nick Dias admitted that smoking weed before and after a fight helps calm his nerves and allows him to focus more on the match than on the potential outcomes.

And although UFC doesn’t permit marijuana use before a match, several fighters have agreed that marijuana use is ideal when looking to calm nerves. 

Smoking Weed Helps In Pain Reduction

Marijuana is a commonly used drug when it comes to pain management, which explains why many people opt to smoke weed when in pain. In the medical field, marijuana is often used to reduce pain for people with chronic illnesses like cancer.

The ability of weed to act as a pain reliever has made the drug popular for UFC fighters, especially when recovering after a fight. 

Smoking Weed Helps In Recovery

Besides reducing pain, marijuana also helps UFC fighters to speed up their recovery. This is because marijuana induces sleep, which is vital in the recovery of muscles and inflammation reduction. 

Some fighters prefer smoking during the day when relaxing, while others prefer hitting a blunt just before bed to help prolong the sleep.

Either way, smoking weed helps UFC fighters to improve their sleep patterns, which goes a long way in boosting overall recovery times. 

What Are the Cons of Smoking Weed For UFC Fighters?

Although smoking weed has its advantages, the use of the drug also comes with its disadvantages. 

The cons of smoking weed for UFC fighters include compromised judgment, addiction from ongoing or extended use, and a positive drug test result from smoking too much.

Marijuana Affects Judgement

Perhaps one of the greatest disadvantages of marijuana is its ability to impair judgment, which can prove fatal in a highly contested match. The UFC and other athletic commissions remain adamant that smoking weed immediately before a fight is prohibited and punishable through a variety of sanctions. 

Marijuana Can Lead To Addiction

Although a proven pain reliever, marijuana can lead to addiction, especially when regularly used. Athletes who use marijuana to calm their nerves, reduce anxiety or induce sleep can easily get addicted to the drug, which can end up reducing their overall performance levels.

Moreover, increased usage of the drug more often than not enhances the chances of returning positive test results due to the high level of THC in the bloodstream.

The Risk Of Testing Positive

Athletes who smoke marijuana might end up smoking too much, therefore reducing their chances of returning negative test results. In addition, regular smokers usually find it hard to cleanse the body before being tested, which can lead to disqualification and various other sanctions if the test results come positive. 

Which UFC Fighters Support Cannabis Use?

Below is a list of UFC fighters that support cannabis use.

• Nick Diaz
• Nate Diaz
• Jon Jones
• Mike Perry
• Ronda Rousey
• Donald Cerrone
• Jake Shields
• Brandon Vera
• Sean O’Malley
• Matt Riddle 

Cannabis usage has increased not only for recreational purposes but also in the medical and sporting worlds. As a result, more UFC fighters are becoming open about their support for marijuana use, which has helped push for friendlier and more transparent regulations from the relevant bodies.

Wrapping Up 

As can be observed throughout the article, marijuana is gradually becoming a mainstay in the UFC. Various athletes and influential figures are openly endorsing the responsible use of the drug, with big names like Ronda Rousey advocating for the removal of marijuana tests altogether.

Although marijuana comes with tons of recreational and medicinal benefits, the UFC retains its firm stance against the use of the drug just before fights. Smoking weed before a fight not only exposes the smoker to the risk of serious injuries, but it also takes away from the intensity of the bout!

Interested in MMA? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training MMA, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Mouth Guard Best MMA Gloves Best Groin Protection Best Rashguard
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• The Sun: Ufc Marijuana Ban Axed After Backlash From Fighters
• ABC News: Ufc Won’t Punish Fighters After Marijuana Policy Change
• Mmamania:Joe Rogan Says Majority Of Ufc Fighters Are Smoking Marijuana 
• Mmamicks: Can Ufc Fighters Smoke Weed
• Republic World: Study Suggests Almost Half Of Mma Fighters Consume Marijuana
• ESPN: Usada Essentially Eliminating Marijuana Use Ufc Violation
• Combat Museum: Can Mma Fighters Smoke Weed
• Sqaf: Can Ufc Fighters Smoke Weed