Let's define a fighter's "prime"

[Reapzz]

Peak 27-34 years old. Absolute prime 28-33 /

As others have stated, mindset, wear and tear also come into play.

 

[thobra]

There can be several factors why a fighter starts to look different or starts losing. A break up, kids with problems, injuries, depressions or other distractions. It sure can be better competition or different styles too, but some fighters changed so much in short time that something sure was up.

I will make an example:
I think most fightfans agree that Fedor used to be one of the greatest grapplers and submission artists in MMA history. It was his bread and butter, and like a lot of grapplers today, he mostly used his striking to get in the clinch and get a takedown. He was undefeated and feared on the ground in mma, and had not lost a Sambo match in 8(!!!) years.

Around 07-08 Fedor was really becoming a big star. A russian Icon, started playing in movies, and was becoming well known around the fight world. Articles in "male"-magazines and newspapers all over the world were read by both fightfans and others about the baddest man on the planet.
At that time something happened. He suddenly lost his first Sambo match in 8 years, and not only lost, but was dominated. At the same time, he stopped being the great all around fighter and grappler we knew, and started looking like a bar fighter. Most fans were surprised and even shocked in the Lindland fight.

The old Fedor was gone around 07-08. Most agree with this (even if everyone is hoping for a comeback), and we have never seen that fghter again after.

What happened? Very few know, but maybe he stopepd training? Maybe his fame got to his head? or maybe some personal problems or injuries?

 

[doughy rig]

Just on the age factor

Romero shows you there really isn’t one, I think he’s still in his ‘prime’ as such. I think he could fight another few years and win the belt at either 185 or 205. Some may call him a freak though

 

[NekMinnit]

I wonder if a fighter can be in their prime after a loss.... It's not to say that they are a bad fighter, it's just that the opponent they were fighting was that much better

 

[markg171]

Prime is the convenient excuse when you don't have an excuse for your favourite fighter underperforming.

If you're still on top then who cares besides fans who can't handle losses?

 

[lostdog000]

stats say prime is around age 30 for mma

 

[Deleted member 391673]

i don't think one can define a prime until a fighter officially retires and stays retired.

after they haven't fought for a bit we can look at their career in its totality and determine the prime era

 

[Floofyboy]

Prime is not directly related to win streaks.

Rumble was clearly in his prime when he fought Cormier.
Rockhold is 1-2 in his last 3 fights and he's probably still in his prime.
Weidman is 1-3 and i believe he is still in h8is prime

 

[xyzxyz94]

Peak 27-34 years old. Absolute prime 28-33 /

As others have stated, mindset, wear and tear also come into play.

I'd argue that MMA prime skews a bit to the right, 30 - 35ish, just due to how large the skillbase is that they have to learn.

 

[gono btw]

There are constant debates about "prime" fighters and who they would've/could've beat. In these debates usually a fighter is defined as in his prime when he was on a win streak and then classified as past his prime when the streak ends. This leaves out the possibility that his competition got better, or that the fighter stopped training as hard, or that the fighter made harmful lifestyle choices, quit using PEDs, or that his fighting style evolved. Even age isn't the defining factor since we see fighters like DC and Romero fighting at an elite level well into their late 30s.

I think a prime fighter is one whose skillset, octagon experience, coaching, and overall fitness are all near the peak that the fighter ever reached. Let's say they are at least 8 out of 10 everywhere with 10 being the best they ever attained. By this definition many fan favorites were clearly in their prime when they started getting beat, while others like Bisping, didn't reach their prime until later in their career when some of these factors like coaching and skillset really peaked for them.

Frankly I think many Sherdog favorites were absolutely in their prime when they started losing. They had tons of experience, were in great shape and had as good of coaching and skillset as they ever achieved -- and still they lost. Wins and Losses fighter-to-fighter mean more than any theory about "prime" this or that because in an actual fight all of these factors come into play.

A prime is not only about age, physical state, or how many fights u had (all sports combined)..

It can be a mental thing, like Frank said after the Cung Le fight, when he said that he no longer had the mental discipline to follow a gameplan.

A prime is also not about winning or losing. U can still be winning and no longer be in your prime: this is called fight IQ & experience, mental warfare too (see the B-Hop case).

Now a physical prime, back in the days (now with so many sophisticated PEDs...), would go up to 34 yrs old maxi.

 

[cmw43]

I would rule out mental state simply because that is part of what makes you a good or bad fighter. A fighter with a stronger mind is often simply a better fighter than someone with a weaker mindset and it has nothing to do with either one being in their prime.

You're mental state can change also.

David Louseau was never the same after the beating Franklin gave him and suffered from PTSD for the rest of his career.

Same as some guys mindsets after PED or particularly bad injuries or KO's getting gunshy.