Functionality Part 3

The workout of a modern fighter is unique in its diversity. What I mean is that, no other sport comes close to the variability of the demands put on the fighter’s body. Imagine soccer or hockey, the athlete is mostly doing sprints for short periods of time, not requiring much upper body power/endurance other than for pushing other players around. Ask Wayne Gretski how much of that a player needs to be good at the sport! An American football linebacker might be able to squat four or five Muay Thai fighters but would probably puke after one 3 minute round hitting the pads! A Basketball player must have a phenomenal vertical leap and the lateral direction changing ability of a barrel racing pony, not to mention the natural genetic dispositions but let’s see him try a flying fireman carry like some people we know!
A Mixed Martial Arts fighter needs a blend of power, speed and endurance to compete. He or she must be as strong as a plow ox yet make weight, coming in as light as their body’s frame will allow. We must have strength and stability from every angle, defending from below, punching from above, stuffing a takedown from the cage wall or launching a knee from the center of the ring.
Because of this fact fighters and trainers have assembled workout programs that put the body through more rigours than the Seven Labours of Hurcules!
There are a million Youtube vids and thousands of books, training camps and classes to give one ideas to improve their regimen but my one recommendation would be to try to strengthen every aspect of your physique, mix it up as much as possible. Make sure your cardio is always up to par, do some power lifting, speed training, core and stability exercises and always train in as much of a realistic way possible to the sport you are competing in. If you are doing a B.J.J. or Wrestling tournament, roll every day, if you are doing a Boxing or Kickboxing/Thai fight, hit the pads tonnes and spar your face off!
I personally think that M.M.A. is spawning a new generation of unique and elite athletes; we have only seen the beginning. As much as I loved the old guard; Tank Abbott, Royce Gracie, and Maurice Smith etc I can’t help being excited about the new level of physical and technical mastery and what is to come in the future!

At RAPTOR we are tirelessly adapting and developing the Crashfit fitness program. This program will benefit any athlete in their pursuit of excellence but for the fighter or the person wanting overall fitness and weight loss there is no equal!