Athletes prepare for competitions by conditioning themselves. Different conditioning techniques apply to different sports. How a basketball player conditions for a game is different from how a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter will be trained.

MMA conditioning is much more than just strength, power, and speed. While these may be major qualities that a fighter needs to win a match, it is mental conditioning that distinguishes the champion from the contender.

Each person has the potential to develop incredible strength, power and speed. How these are developed and the outcomes of the techniques used vary among people.

Strength, for example, is merely physical energy that is needed to exert force. Between two fighters possessing equal or more or less equal strength, the one who believes that he is unbreakable is most likely going to end up showing greater prowess in the match. When training for strength, mental MMA conditioning is also important.

MMA conditioning necessarily includes developing mental characteristics, which when combined with physical strength, power and speed, produces a lean, mean killing machine.

Some of these mental qualities include the following:

• Refusal to Give In

  Training for MMA is physically exhausting. To survive training, your mind must not be the first to quit. As the training level turns up a notch, your body may begin to feel pain and exhaustion. An MMA fighter must be able to work through the pain barrier using the mind that never gives in. Fighters are taught that the body follows the mind when it refuses to give in even whilst in pain.

• Winning Mindset

  Having a winning mindset where losing is not an option, is a common characteristic that MMA champions share. This mental quality can only arise from a genuine and deep-seated desire to reach the top in MMA. When your mind is focused on winning, your body will do whatever it takes to accomplish your aim.

• High Motivation Levels

  Just like desire, motivation is a strong internal force that compels you to pursue your goals relentlessly. Motivation affects the quality of your MMA training. To stay motivated, you must have definite goals and a clear reason for accomplishing these goals. Goal setting is therefore important in MMA conditioning.

• Persistence

  Training continuity maintained at a high level with increasing momentum in the days leading to the fight increases your chances of winning.

MMA conditioning involves other mental abilities which can turn a strong fighter into a winning champion. High concentration levels, persistence and inner strength are just some of them. These abilities are needed to obtain the attitude to sustain you for the tough and uncompromising sport that MMA is admired for.

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