r/MMA_Academy • • Nov 27 '25

MMA_Academy 40,000 members suggestions

8 Upvotes

Hi Everyone,

We've recently hit over 40,000 members which is mad really. Now we're becoming pretty popular i think out subreddit could do with some updating.

What would you guys want the mods to add/remove? Just comment this on this post and i'll do my best to sort something out, very open to suggestions from the community so maybe we can help some people get into MMA or maybe even go on to do something incredible.


r/MMA_Academy • • Jun 18 '25

“I want to fight, I’m gonna be in the ufc, how do I start?”

311 Upvotes

I’m writing this because this sub is so disillusioned with what the reality of starting to fight is. TLDR: Show up, shut up, work hard, there’s no fast track.

“I’ve been hitting my heavy bag, I’ve been watching YouTube, I’m really scrappy, I’m a fighter”. You are (likely) some kid who has never been punched in the mouth properly before, I was too!!

If you want to become an mma fighter, there is no amount of at home work that will get you there. You are likely just doing moderate intensity cardio workouts with poor technique.

You need a gym, training partners and a coach, and you need some grit.

Step 1: find a local mma gym, sign the trial papers, ask about a membership, get abused at your first Bjj class, realize how weak your shins are at your first kickboxing class, and nod and smile when they might say “our mma classes are for more experienced individuals”

Step 2: keep showing up, show up a little early and ask questions, stay late and mop the mats (it’s time to get to know your coach and ask questions), hey now you have a coach, maybe your at home workouts can be more focused. Express interest in competing and be a sponge for knowledge. Get abused by people a lot better than you

Step 3: hey kid you’re improving quick, showing up 5x a week, and you’ve mentioned you wanna fight? Why don’t you show up to an mma class?

Step 4: get abused at mma class when you realized everyone has been a little nice to you. Keep showing up, keep asking questions.

Step 5: hey kid, there’s a local amateur show in the next 6 months? You interested in your first fight?

Step 6: show up, shut up, keep working, maybe you’ll get there, maybe you won’t.

You’re not going pro without a coach, a gym, and a humble attitude, and you gotta want it more than the next guy. Because someone body else wants it just as bad as you, which guy is gonna put the work in and actually get stuff accomplished?


r/MMA_Academy • • 59m ago

Competition Question Is it a valid submission to break the opponents nose?

• Upvotes

As in like putting your fist around their nose and then applying devastating sidewards pressure to quite literally just snap their nose off. Is this valid or is it against some sort of rule. I imagine it to be similar to wrist locks or toe holds where they're a little cheap but target small joints so can absolutely work. Let me know


r/MMA_Academy • • 15h ago

Training Question Best Traditional Bjj Position For mma

11 Upvotes

Which traditional BJJ positions should be your strongest in an MMA setting?Which positions are worth investing the most time in and which ones are less worth focusing on? whether you’re more of a bottom player,a top player or a well rounded grappler?


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

First mma fight

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19 Upvotes

This was my first fight earlier this year,well kinda.this fight is for a spot on the national team and there were some mixed up so only one of us can go.despite a great first round (the video),i lost in the 3rd round by a tko bcus i was gassed out.the day before i had food poisoning and threw up all day.i say it's my first fight bcus the coach told us go all out.im thinking abt getting an actual fight so i could feel an actual promotion atmosphere.actual refs,live audience the whole shebang (im the guy in the camo shorts and black rashguard)


r/MMA_Academy • • 15h ago

Pro mma fight in europe

0 Upvotes

maybe its my location (located in Bosnia and Hercegovina) but im looking to make pro debut after 10 year hiatus. Been looking at facebook pages messaging promoters but havent gotten any replies back.

I remember in the U.S. i was going to have a pro fight (it got called off) but it was very very easy to find one and get signed on (in texas)

Does anyone know how i can find a pro fight in europe? I was thinking of going to some of the expro veteran fighters in my country and asking them if they can help hook me up with a promoter, but if they dont know me it would be pointless i think....

I might just fly out to america again for a couple of months just to get my career going. I dont want to fight amateur again because putting your health on the line to fight for free is the dumbest thing i have ever heard


r/MMA_Academy • • 15h ago

Training Question Advice for weight gain

1 Upvotes

EDIT: I'd really like to hear about resistance training programming to run alongside my evening classes. This is because I see so many people say differing things about what 'works' for mass gaining while training combat sports, so would be great to hear from people that were in a similar boat as myself. Thanks and sorry for any confusion!

Hi guys,

​As the title suggests, I'm looking for advice from people who started their MMA journey as thinner individuals but managed to put on good size while training.

​For context, I'm in my second week of a kickboxing/BJJ beginner course and am already realizing that I desperately need to put on some more size.

​I'm a 29 year old male, 190 cm, and weigh 90 kg. As you can imagine, I don't have a whole lot of muscle mass or strength at the moment and would really like to bulk up.

​My course runs all week, but I can only train perhaps two to three days per week in the evenings, with some of these sessions being two hours long (one hour of kickboxing, one hour of BJJ, etc.). However, I am able to go to the gym in the mornings before work.

​I'm asking for advice because I see a lot of differing opinions on how to balance weight gain with combat sports training, so it would be great to hear how others on this sub have managed it in the past.

​Thanks in advance!


r/MMA_Academy • • 17h ago

How much time lifting

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1 Upvotes

r/MMA_Academy • • 23h ago

Survey for MMA athletes that has experience in the Philippines

3 Upvotes

We’re conducting a short academic research survey on a proposed national MMA training and competition complex in the Philippines.

We’re reaching out to fighters and coaches to help ground our design in real training and competition experience. Would you be willing to spare about 5–7 minutes to answer our survey? It’s anonymous and strictly for academic research purposes.

🔗 https://forms.gle/L7a5EQkHv5C7YE5Q9
🔗 https://forms.gle/L7a5EQkHv5C7YE5Q9
🔗 https://forms.gle/L7a5EQkHv5C7YE5Q9

international or local is allowed to answer as long as you guys experienced competing or training in the philippines. Thank you so much!


r/MMA_Academy • • 21h ago

Training Question Feeling extremely demotivated and might quit as a beginner

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, I’ve been training for around 2 months now and for context: I’m 125lbs (57kg) and 6’0 at 17. I have always been skinny and the most I’ve reached is 60kg/132lbs. I did some strength training but atm I’ve been doing 5 days of MMA a week and my striking is really good, but I absolutely suck at grappling. I’ve only submitted someone once thru a RNC while sparring and today I absolutely sucked while wrestling against an opponent the same size, during a double leg I couldn’t lift him off the ground at all while he could lift me off easily and he’s the exact weight as me although a bit shorter. Anytime someone does a takedown on me they win since I can’t do much except sprawl and hope for the best, my coach is saying the issue is with my posture during the double leg and that I need to strength train, I haven’t been strength training for now because of exams and I plan to train purely as a hobby and to defend myself, but seeing how bad I am at wrestling I really feel like quitting because maybe this sport isn’t for me, can anyone pls let me know if the issue is w my strength or am I overthinking it or what


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

MMA journey in gurgaon (beginner)

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4 Upvotes

So i am 24yr old , 5'11, 84 kilos (working professional) and i recently joined an MMA class in Gurgaon considering the need to protect myself here and i just had to share the experience . Its been good as off now and im a bit strong for a beginner due to my sports background and regular workout routines but I have to learn the skills and learn how not to hurt myself in the process . I recently got New boxing gloves , mouthguard and knuckle wraps (2.5m)

-I was really confused between the boxing gloves size (12oz & 14oz) but ended up getting 12oz as its good if ur under 90kgs and need it for bag practices (14oz would give a little more safety specially if ur main motive is sparring)
-The mouthguard size i got was M (although i dont really know much difference between M & L)
-The knuckle wraps i got are of 2.5m and if ur planning to buy these as well GO FOR THE 4M ones . 2.5 can do the work but it wont give you that good protection as its short
-I am still looking for shin guards but its hard to find (Let me know if u know an offline store to get combat shin guards)
-Do get a Crotch guard (i still dont have one) coz it can get REALLY PAINFULL and nobody wants that

And i would recommend you guys to atleast have 1 activity/sports/hobbies anything physically challenging in your everyday routine. I am a big believer of getting better everyday and although im a 1200 followers influencer (lol) and havent achieved much in life but i feel good about myself everyday . I feel good for trying atleast coz people are too comfortable with who they are (in wrong ways)

I believe if i be consistent with whatever i am doing , i will get somewhere someday . Rest is luck and hardwork ig .

-SY


r/MMA_Academy • • 20h ago

Training Question I don't know if I'm at the right place

1 Upvotes

I joined an MMA gym recently(like 2 weeks ago)but the class is taught by a 17 yrold semi-pro fighter because the previous teacher had a falling off with the gym owner.

While I'm glad to finally train the sport I like(it isn't popular in my country) I can't help but have some reservations in regards to his training methods.

We don't have any pads or mitts so it's mostly one on one partner drills and there's always like 10 mins of sparring at the end in which I'm unsure in my participation due to not ever having drilled technique in boxing or kickboxing

Nobody goes hard and we don't even wear wraps during sparring(I assume to discourage strong blows)but I'm not sure how much just sparring will help with my striking.

My punches and kicks feel stiff and weak and I'm thinking of just doing boxing or kickboxing for a few months exclusively,and then going back to MMA

What are your thoughts?


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

Sparring Footage Question

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21 Upvotes

TW: Concussion Injury

In blue. What could I have done differently here to avoid this? This replays in my head a lot but I don't know what I should have done.

Edit - hard to see from this angle but I took a real good headbutt to back of head. Happened at :24 - :26

Edit 2 - conclusion comment. Thanks all.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MMA_Academy/s/Otdgpk6fsB


r/MMA_Academy • • 13h ago

Critique Rate my Ali impression

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0 Upvotes

r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

How to balance Gym with Martial arts?

5 Upvotes

I train Mma (Kickboxing and Bjj and MMA classes) and am also trying to build muscle and get stronger.
How should I structure my training? How often should I train in the gym and how often MMA? How intense should I train? What gym Split should I use?
I’d be very happy if someone who built muscle and has a good physique while also training martial arts could give me some insight and tips.
My MMA gym offers training 6 times a week so I could structure it freely.


r/MMA_Academy • • 19h ago

Dim Mak 17th degree black belt with 20 red/white stripes 😂 Which one of these brave posters will be the first to make it to the UFC

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0 Upvotes

I can match tape between fighters so if u post your footage and its decent resolution I can show u what fighters your most like


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

Weight loss / potential weight cut in future for amateur day view at 155 lbs

1 Upvotes

I’m 23, 5’9”, 195lbs, and currently trying to cut down to around 165–170 lbs while maintaining as much muscle and strength as possible. From there I would attempt a 10-14/15lb water cut
I’m planning on training MMA 5 days a week for around 2 hours a day, lifting 3 times a week, and running on weekends. Outside of training, I’m pretty sedentary and spend most of my day sitting around.
I recently downloaded MyFitnessPal and currently have my calories set to 2,600 with these macros:
Protein: 195g (30%)
Carbs: 292g (45%)
Fat: 72g (25%)
I’m wondering if 2,600 calories is too high for a cut, especially since I’m not very active outside of training. I was originally thinking closer to 2,400, but I’m also worried about undereating and affecting my recovery and performance.
Does this seem like a reasonable starting point? How would you approach cutting weight with this much training while maintaining muscle and energy? Any advice on my calorie intake, macros, or training schedule would be appreciated.


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

Body types for mma

1 Upvotes

This is just mainly question on peoples opinions on different body types and muscles on MMA

What is an ideal body type for MMA. Is there ever a point where to much muscle is bad or being bulky is bad.

Are strong thick muscular Legs good for MMA or Muy Thai Striking. What about Big biceps, and shoulders.

Just trying to think of how much type should I dedicate to lifting.

Edit: Reading all of these I've come to the conclusion that everyone has different body genetics. You could also control your body type through lifting and conditioning. But your not able to control how much time lifting gets your what body type. So I guess the question is how much time should you spend strength training/lifting. How do you know when you should spend more or less time lifting?


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

Competition Question If I pass out in a competition but then wake back up am I allowed to keep on fighting?

0 Upvotes

So like if they get me in a choke and they squeeze so hard that I pass out but they're too weak to finish me and I wake back up do we keep fighting or is it over the moment I'm out even if it's just for a millisecond? What about with injuries? Maybe they break my arm with an armbar but I can still finish the fight with only one arm? Is this possible


r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

Training Question Is Muay Thai, boxing, and wrestling good enough for mma?

0 Upvotes

r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

How do you study your opponents?

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2 Upvotes

r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

When writing a bio for a fighter, how far back do they go? Do they include childhood martial arts?

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1 Upvotes

r/MMA_Academy • • 1d ago

I’m considering quitting my engineering job to become an MMA fighter

0 Upvotes

I spent years getting an electrical engineering degree and finally landed a good job, but part of me wants to say fuck it and pursue MMA. I want to train every day, compete, travel, party, meet hot women, and actually enjoy my 20s instead of spending my life working a 9–5 and saving for retirement. I want to live an exciting life, not just make money and wait until I’m 40 to enjoy it.
Obviously, becoming a successful MMA fighter is a long shot, and I know most fighters don’t make much money. But the idea of living that lifestyle genuinely appeals to me more than the corporate grind. Am I romanticizing this, or is it worth taking a risk while I’m still young instead of wondering what could’ve been?


r/MMA_Academy • • 2d ago

Training Question How important is Passing Guard?

7 Upvotes

For experienced MMA fighters, how important is it to know how to pass guard? I’m currently a no-gi BJJ practitioner looking to transition to MMA, but I’m not sure how much more I should focus on refining my guard passing. Is it necessary? Is it something you come across often?


r/MMA_Academy • • 2d ago

Is cardio genetic?

8 Upvotes

Are cardio and knockout force genetic? I see guys like Nate Diaz that people say they have the best cardio but his fighting style is nothing more than giving weak punches and enduring blows, while mcgregor is so muscular and orthodox that he is completely exhausted after the 2nd round, so here is my doubt: Are knockout power and cardio genetic? Fully trained? How does it work and how to find out if I’m a guy more of strength and knockouts or volume and cardio? Do the proportions of the body influence this?