Public policy scholars in universities that offer public health degree programs have done a great deal of research on sports injuries. Even many teaching hospitals have weighed in on the subject of injuries in mixed martial arts. The most common injuries in MMA are finger and hand sprains or dislocations affecting the elbow and shoulder. Most of these injuries result from submission maneuvers.

Injuries are commonplace in all combat sports. It’s inevitable. However, could MMA fighter training camps be shorter to decrease the chances of injury prior to an upcoming fight? We’ve seen scores of upcoming fights canceled due to injuries over the past few years, and even more so recently:

Plus, scores of other fighters have had to pull out of fights because of injuries that happened during training camps. The typical training camp is anywhere from 6-8 weeks in length for most fighters in the UFC. Most active fighters are in action every 3 months or so, depending on the division and where they are in their respective careers. So that’s basically 12 weeks between each fight, give or take a couple of weeks.

I can understand young fighters (i.e. Rory Macdonald) having longer training camps as they are trying to become well rounded and evolve as the sport evolves. However, fighters like Tito Ortiz are what they are. He is a ground and pound guy that may improve his standup skills marginally, but he’s not going to morph into Anderson Silva with his striking skills. I’m not saying he shouldn’t work to improve his striking even at this stage of the game in his career, but I don’t think he should be contributing excessive amounts of time in that department either.

Once you reach a point in your career as a professional, shouldn’t a fighter be able to tailor his training camp to his specific opponent while honing his overall skillset? Do you need 8 weeks to prepare for a fight once you have 10-15 professional fights? If I were a fighter(though I’m not a fighter), I would concentrate on these three things:

  • Cardio
  • Improving overall skillset
  • Specific gameplan for upcoming opponent

The first couple of weeks would not be me trying to get my cardio up to par because I’ve gained massive amounts of weight in between fights. I would keep my weight monitored and simply stay in shape year round. In thinking aloud, this could be a major factor in regards to guys getting injured. Of course I would want to continue to improve my overall skillset with each training camp, but fighters should be doing that when they are not in training camp and I realize a number of them do(i.e. GSP). Thirdly, the gameplan for my opponent would be implemented and then I’d go from there.

For instance, Bellator lightweight  Patricky “Pitbull” Freire has fought three times this year. His respective fight dates were March 12, April 2nd, and May 14th. He had 3 weeks between the first and second fights and six weeks between the second and third fight. He was already in shape, suffered no injuries in his previous bouts, and he tailored his training camps for his upcoming opponent and performed. So it’s definitely possible that fighters can perform at high levels with short training camps. I’m not advocating that fighters fight more often, although that would certainly be a postiive for the fans and for the fighters wallets. I’m advocating that fighters stay in shape year round and use shorter training camps to decrease the chance of injury and save their bodies from abuse that may extend their careers.

Thoughts? (Would love to hear from actual fighters).

5 thoughts on “Discussion: Should MMA training camps be shorter to decrease the chances of injury to fighters?”
  1. I don’t know if your points would work, but something needs to be done. From late last year to the present there have been some terribly timed injuries: Belfort, Shogun, Velasquez, Rashad, Tito, Frankie, Gray, Jones, Lesnar, and more.

    A change needs to be made.

  2. I mean in a nutshell…I guess I’m saying…shouldn’t fighters be training smarter…not harder in 2011…like..I understand that sparring is necessary…and the body must be conditioned to take blows…etc…but if you are constantly training even when you are not in training camp…how much hard sparring is necessary?

    The point about older fighters hits home no? No reason they need 8 weeks to get ready for a fight imo…not if they train consistently.

  3. Yes I would agree on the older fighters, but I don’t think the 8 week training camps are the problem. You have guys (even the vets) who boast of training camps that last anywhere from 12 to 16 weeks. That simply isn’t needed. If you wanna get your cardio into shape that is understandable, but 3 months of hard sparring/grappling/wrestling? That’s just asking for an injury.

  4. You are right Kelvin. Training camps are too long. The only problem is GSP is the exception, not the rule. I beg Jordan to stay in fight shape year round but he won’t. The sad truth is that most guys lack the discipline and drive to really be a world champion. So the first 4 -6 weeks of camp is them getting into shape but also sets them up for injury. It’s sad no doubt. Get in shape and stay there you bums! If you do already, congrats, this isn’t directed to you. :)

  5. Right on…12-16 weeks is ridiculously dumb IMO…I understand a lot of these guys can’t train FULL time…but there’s no reason why they can’t have their cardio on point.

Leave a Reply