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.
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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
