What are the Most Popular and Successful Training Techniques for

When it comes to the training techniques of the world’s most talented fighters, their training techniques are as myriad as their styles. Yes, almost all of them start at least 8 weeks before the fight and usually maintain that they are always in very good shape. Yes, most of them spend thousands a year on their training facilities and individual trainers. And yes, they all think that their methods are the best. Over the last six months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with some of the world’s top fighters and for the first time ever, I’d like to compile their responses here into a cohesive manual for the up-and-coming MMA fighter.

Almost all of the fighters we spoke with indicated that the mental edge the hold over a fighter is a huge factor in how well they will perform. Compare Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson at UFC 71. Liddell was tentative and didn’t look “mean” as he did against Tito, Babalu, Horn, or even in his loss against Couture. Meanwhile, Page looked downright excited (and prepared) for the fight. Denis Kang agreed with this assessment, telling us “the mental aspect is everything you could say.”

Another popular technique of the elite is molding the training to the specific opponent. I was talking to Georges St. Pierre just the other day and he said that “you don’t train for Matt Hughes the same way you train for Matt Serra.” Other than the obvious difference in talent between the two Matts, St. Pierre was also alluding to dealing with Serra’s Jiu Jitsu against Hughes’ wrestling. When I spoke with Dan Henderson prior to his UFC 75 fight with Rampage, he was quick to admit that he was changing his training techniques to appropriately counter Rampage’s strengths. Henderson said “I’m obviously going to switch it up and do more elbows to the face and head. I brushed up on my wrestling and my standup, so it’s business as usual with some specifics in mind.

Often, similar to the ways in which fighters will train for a specific opponent, they will also train in reaction to a win or a loss. If something goes right during the fight, the winning fighter wants to make sure he will be able to replicate that performance. If a fighter gets caught by a weakness in his game, his training should mirror that deficiency. Chuck Liddell talked to us about this after his UFC 71 loss: “John has been working on my defense a little bit more…I made a mistake and got caught; it’s just a part of the game. I have gotten away with that punch for a long time, this time I didn’t.”

One of the most popular techniques which often seems to translate into wins in a holistic approach, incorporating many different styles and disciplines. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou got his MMA start by being Dan Henderson’s personal Judo coach when Henderson was preparing for a fight during his PRIDE career. Andrei Arlovski, despite having a fight booked, outlined for us the way in which he stays in top shape: “I always try to keep in shape. I take a couple of weeks off after a fighter and then go back to the gym. I get to work on technique for boxing, Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling and other things that need help.” UFC Veteran Elvis Sinosic echoed these suggestions: “I trained in all the different styles trying to find the best blend of what really works. That is why our MMA program consists of BJJ, Muay Thai, and Wrestling. All these are tried and tested arts. Their training is applied and used every time. Combined in the right way, they give you best combination for fighting or self-defense.”