What is needed to become a mixed martial arts fighter

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is an exciting, fast-paced contact sport. Organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships sign contracts with fighters to participate in their events. Becoming a professional MMA fighter is not easy, and it's not for everyone. You have to work hard and really love MMA to succeed.

How to become a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter

1. Find a local MMA gym. These gyms have spread across the US and the world. A good MMA gym offers jujitsu, kickboxing and wrestling. These skills are all needed to become a good MMA fighter.
2. Get in shape. Very few fighters go into competition in anything but great physical condition.
3. Visit fan-built Web sites, of which there are hundreds to thousands. (The best known are listed under Who Can Help below.) These sites are informative, and many have forums where you can talk to other fans and professional fighters.
4. Go to a local MMA event. These events are held around the globe. You will find fighters and fans who will share their knowledge of MMA and how to get started in the sport.
5. Decide when you are ready to start competing. Your trainer at the gym may tell you if he or she thinks you are ready. If you train outside of a gym, you will have gauge yourself. This can be difficult.
6. Have some natural skill and physical aptitude. For some people, fighting and the physical and mental exertions that come with it are natural. For others, no matter how hard they work, they will never become a good MMA fighter. Being naturally gifted is part of success in any sport.
7. Find a small local MMA event. These events are fairly common across the United States and around the world. Several gyms or clubs compete, so you may have to be a fighter at one of them to get a fight. It never hurts to track down the people putting on the event to state your case, though.
8. Win! If you want to become a successful MMA fighter, you must win your fights. Only a handful of people go undefeated in their careers, but you cannot lose a few fights in a row and expect to succeed.
9. Be ready for injuries. MMA is a contact sport. All fighters get hurt in training or in the actual fights.

Tips and Warnings

• Develop friendships with other fighters. These fighters can share their knowledge with you, which will help you improve.

• Watch a lot of MMA fights. You can pick up tricks and techniques by watching other fighters.

• MMA fights are not for the faint of heart. Becoming a professional fighter is not an easy job. Expect countless hours of sweat and pain to achieve even small goals.

things you'll need:

• MMA gear
• Natural talent

What is needed to become a mixed martial arts fighter - source