Is MMA The Most Difficult Sport?

MMA is a hybrid mix of multiple martial arts disciplines, widely regarded as the most difficult combat system to master. But why is MMA so hard to master?

In this article, we are going to explore all the reasons that make mixed martial arts so difficult, and its fighters the finest athletes.

Versatility of Skills

In MMA, fighters need to excel in a variety of martial arts disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, and boxing. Each of these styles has its own techniques and strategies and becoming proficient in just one can take years of dedicated training. 

However, MMA fighters must go beyond a single discipline; they must be adept in multiple styles. This demands exceptional dedication and skill.

To illustrate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on ground fighting and submissions, while Muay Thai emphasizes striking with fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Wrestling revolves around takedowns and controlling opponents on the ground, while boxing centres on punching and evading blows. Imagine mastering all of these techniques.

Fighters spend countless hours honing their skills, drilling techniques, and sparring with partners. They must transition seamlessly between different styles during a fight, adapting their approach based on their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. 

This versatility demands not only physical strength but also mental agility and strategic thinking.

Physical Demands

MMA requires a high level of physical fitness, including strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility. Fighters must undergo rigorous training regimens to develop and maintain their physical attributes, which often involve intense cardio workouts, weightlifting, and sparring sessions.

When it comes to hand-to-hand combat, each type of fight requires a different type of conditioning. The type of strength and cardio for striking is not the same as the one required for grappling and vice versa. 

Thus, MMA athletes constantly need to work on developing all-around functional fitness to excel in all aspects of the game. And as you would assume, this requires a scientific approach and a lot of hard work.

On top of training in multiple martial arts styles, they also need to do specific strength and conditioning workouts, and this is exhausting.

In a single week of training, their bodies must go through intense striking sessions, grappling on the ground, wrestling, strength and conditioning, and of course, sparring. Not many people, including the young ones, can endure such an intense workload for a long period of time.

As a result, chronic pain and injuries are almost inevitable. The sport is simply too hard on your body and it will eventually break it. 

High Injury Risk

MMA is a full-contact sport where fighters put themselves at risk with every move they make. From broken bones to concussions, the potential for serious injury is high. Fighters must be prepared to endure pain and injury as part of their journey in the sport.

The injuries are inevitable and most practitioners and competitors have a hard time staying healthy. 

According to official studies, MMA is a sport with the highest rate of injuries which stands at 28.6 injuries per 100 exposures. The number of injuries is higher than in boxing and most other combat sports and martial arts. 

Whether it’s from punches, kicks, or grappling, the physicality of the sport leaves no room for error. There are simply too many variables and ways one can get hurt. The most common injuries are cuts and lacerations, muscle or ligament tears, concussions, and fractures.

However, one of the worst aspects is the risk of concussions. With blows to the head being a common occurrence, fighters are vulnerable to head injuries that can have both immediate and long-term effects on their health.

Strategic Complexity 

MMA is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Fighters must constantly analyze their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, adapt their game plans accordingly, and make strategic adjustments on the fly during the fight. Though this stands for all other sports — MMA is far more complex. 

In boxing or BJJ, fighters need to focus only on one element — striking or grappling. In MMA, however, the threat is coming from all sides because of the limited rules. Fighters can strike using all limbs, wrestle, grapple, submit each other, slam each other, and there are hundreds of different techniques and possible combinations.

And the same stands for the fighting styles. Fighters come from all types of martial arts backgrounds and they rarely compete against an opponent who shares the same style. It’s always a unique combination of skills in front. 

It’s impossible to prepare for all possible scenarios and that’s why each MMA fighter must be strategic and carefully adapt their game plans to the individual style in front. In one match they might compete against a world champion kickboxer, while in the other they must deal with NCAA Division I wrestlers. 

Weight Management

MMA has various weight classes, each with a specified upper limit. Fighters often aim to compete in a weight class where they believe they can have a size and strength advantage over their opponents.

The problem is, the gaps between these weight classes are much bigger than in other combat sports. The gap ranges from 10 pounds on the lower end to 20 pounds on the higher end, resulting in fighters cutting up to 30 pounds ahead of the bout.

To make weight for a fight, fighters undergo a process of dehydration and calorie restriction in the days leading up to the weigh-in. This typically involves cutting water weight through methods like intense sweating (sauna sessions, hot baths), reducing fluid intake, and sometimes using diuretics.

In addition to dehydration, they often follow strict diets in the weeks leading up to a fight to reduce body fat and overall weight. This may involve cutting out certain foods, reducing portion sizes, and closely monitoring calorie intake. And this process is fraught with danger and can be lethal.

While weight cutting is a common practice, it can have serious health consequences if done improperly. Rapid dehydration and extreme calorie restriction can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, decreased muscle glycogen stores, impaired cognitive function, decreased strength and endurance, and increased risk of injury during the fight.

Sacrifices

Training for MMA requires immense dedication and time commitment. Fighters often have to sacrifice social activities and gatherings to prioritize their training schedule. This can strain relationships with friends and family who may not understand the demands of the sport.

Next, many MMA fighters struggle financially, especially in the early stages of their careers. They may have to work multiple jobs to support themselves while pursuing their passion for fighting. Training costs, including gym fees, coaching fees, and travel expenses for competitions, can also add up quickly.

Let’s also not forget the mental and emotional toll of being an MMA fighter should not be underestimated. They must deal with the pressure to perform, the fear of failure, and the emotional highs and lows that come with competition. They often sacrifice their peace of mind and emotional stability to pursue their dreams.