How long did you train before you fought in your first MMA fight

[LimPShoT]

New to the forums here didnt know where to put this thread, but here goes. I was wondering how long some of you guys started training in MMA before you fought in your first amateur fight. Not how long did you specifically prepare for your first fight but a rough estimate of when some of you guys started to focus strictly on the sport of MMA then fought, if that makes any sense. Thanks for any responses.

 

[Commissar]

To be honest, you can probably count the amount of guys on Sherdog who actually fight in MMA, on one hand.

 

[hayliks]

i wrestled for 8 years, had about 2 years of bjj, 6 months of boxing and about 2 weeks of actual MMA training when i had my 1 and only amateur fight...

 

[Teedoh74]

Rodrigo Gracie explains in his book that you should have a minimum of 3 years before you fight professionally, but amateurs you could probably start whenever just for the experience.

 

[Theodore]

I joined my MMA gym last August and am about ready to ask for my first fight. A few months ago I was gung ho to get in the cage, but honestly, I would have beat the crap out of that version of me! My stand up need plenty of work, and my ground game is decent. My defense while down is good (if I may say so myself) but my offense needs work. I am solid on take downs and slams. I figure I owe it to myself to fight at least once, and if I really like it, I'll do more. I'm currently ~175 or so, and will fight at welter for this first one. If I make fighting an ongoing thing, I'm going to get my weight into the 160's and fight at 155.

 

[Justin Pressley]

I trained for about 8-12 months

 

[NotAnotherHonda]

train until your coach says its time to fight

 

[LimPShoT]

train until your coach says its time to fight

yeah thats what i figured, just wanted to hear some peoples experiences.

 

[warriorsoul]

i wrestled 3 years in school (2 years middle school and 9th grade on varsity) then got into partying and street fighting, i got into boxing when i was about 12 and started training/competing on the streets (backyard 12 oz. boxing matches) around 15, i don't think it really helped me it's just what i was into when i was a stupid kid, started training myself submissions and kickboxing about 3 almost 4 years ago, had my first fight (amateur) feb. 16th

so i'd say about 3 years on and off but have always been interested in fighting, i remember imagining even when i was a child fighting in gladiator type settings, when i still thought pro wrestling was real lol, and i haven't really trained "hard" yet like you should to compete, i'm just now getting into training logs, dieting, different types of conditioning for combat sports, etc. you thinking about competing? where you from?

 

[Spoonman7]

I have been training in MMA for almost four years, I had an MMA fight in January

 

[BeggarSu]

Rodrigo Gracie explains in his book that you should have a minimum of 3 years before you fight professionally, but amateurs you could probably start whenever just for the experience.

Why 3 years?

Anyway, for me an AMATUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER I considered fighting about one year ago which would of meant I had 9 month experience with no stand up. A little stand up turned into me realising how bad I was so I only just fought in January. But I won YAY!

It's only ammys, if you are doing OK in training go for it.

 

[LimPShoT]

i wrestled 3 years in school (2 years middle school and 9th grade on varsity) then got into partying and street fighting, i got into boxing when i was about 12 and started training/competing on the streets (backyard 12 oz. boxing matches) around 15, i don't think it really helped me it's just what i was into when i was a stupid kid, started training myself submissions and kickboxing about 3 almost 4 years ago, had my first fight (amateur) feb. 16th

so i'd say about 3 years on and off but have always been interested in fighting, i remember imagining even when i was a child fighting in gladiator type settings, when i still thought pro wrestling was real lol, and i haven't really trained "hard" yet like you should to compete, i'm just now getting into training logs, dieting, different types of conditioning for combat sports, etc. you thinking about competing? where you from?

Cool, yeah i recently came out of retirement a 5 year layoff from MA, I have been involved in various Martial Arts for over 10 years mainly boxing/kickboxing but never competed. I started grappling recently and now i am hooked I feel like my old self again, but i have alot to learn about the ground game. I am from Oregon.

 

[Poseidon9]

I had never trained before my first unsanctioned fight.
A friend of mine who did BJJ and Muay Thai saw me get in a fight, and asked if I wanted to fight him for fun.
Headed to the park, put on the gloves, and never having trained, I beat him pretty badly. That day I decided I was going to do this for a long, long time.
I've been training since then (about 2 years.)

 

[Art_Wanderlei]

I've always heard never to fight until you've got at least a purple belt.

 

[kama213]

i trained for around 6 months before my first fights. I fought in a 4 man tourney and won both fights in 2:12 seconds combined

 

[Commissar]

I had never trained before my first unsanctioned fight.
A friend of mine who did BJJ and Muay Thai saw me get in a fight, and asked if I wanted to fight him for fun.
Headed to the park, put on the gloves, and never having trained, I beat him pretty badly. That day I decided I was going to do this for a long, long time.
I've been training since then (about 2 years.)

That doesn't even count as an unsanctioned fight. Just two talentless people in a specticle. Don't even mention that alongside MMA.

 

[philong]

train until your coach says its time to fight

This is the correct answer.
They didn't have MMA back when I fought, but I trained for roughly 3 years before my Master said I was ready for my first kickboxing fight. Afterwards I thought he had grossly overestimated my readiness even though I won. It is a lot different in the ring than anything you do in training.

 

[Gsoares2***]

My bjj coach has told numerous wrestlers who have asked about mma, and he tells them "3 year sin bjj in you could try mma". His mentallity behind it, is bjj is tough enough to weed out most wannabe's in that amount of time.. you find out how badly a guy can hurt you just from pressure, position, and submissions.. also teaches how to be humble.. and that there is almost always someone out there who is better than you. If you cant hack it in a top bjj school for three years.. you dont belong in Vale Tudo.

Most guys who go further than just fighting once.. have atleast ONE solid base that they have been doing for multiple years. Whether it be wrestling, bjj, thai boxing, judo... something that is their core, and they do without thinking. If you dont have that... dont waste your time.. because the first time you run into a guy who does... your going to get stomped.

 

[Don Richardson]

I've been training since October, off and on in Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Grappling, and MMA. I am currently training for a Grappling tournament this coming Saturday and I hope to be ready for my first MMA match on May 5th. I feel I will do well in the grappling tournament, but I don't know what to expect. I hope I don't embarrass myself or my school.

I wanted to participate in the MMA match that was to be held on March 24th, but my instructor didn't feel I would be ready, so he suggested a target date for the May 5th event instead. I leave my training totally up to his expertise.

 

[Tom Hishon]

I am 37 and always trained in some form of MA, boxing, wrestling, kick boxing, bjj. I got serious again 1 1/2 ago, my first MMA fight is next weekend. Amatuer, 4 oz. gloves, 3X3 rounds. I guess when your cardio is strong enough to pull you thru 9 minutes. I see alot of guys that just worked on jj and then when it is time to fight they got pummeled. You also have to be ready to pull the trigger when the bell rings. You can't wait for your opponent. Competing is different. I would start out sparring for 3X3 rounds and make sure you are strong enough in all areas and you are sure you want to do it. It isn't for everybody. I wish I had a dollar for every guy that came in in a brand new pair of shorts and dry/wet shirt adn they last like two training periods. Or the first time someone blasts them, they just quit.

Build your cardio up man. and work on set ups, combinations, clinch and submissions. When you feel confident ask for your first fight. Make sure it is a legitimate establishment, so if you get into trouble the ref. will stop it. The place I am fighting at they will stop it if anyone gets into trouble. I have seen a few where the ref lets' someone take a pounding. That isn't good.