Pre-Fight Warmup

[Mike Piekarski]

Recently I've had 3 amateur muay thai fights and I'm trying to decide the best way to warm up before getting into the ring. My last fight (which I lost a close decision) I got a lot more tired then I would have liked, now I was in shape for that fight and it was only 3 rounds (2 minutes each). Most of the fight was in the clinch which is arguably one of the most tiring aspect of standup. Anyway during the warm-up my muay thai coach had me hitting the pads hard up to 3 minutes before I got into the ring. I was feeling really tired during the warmups.

My fight before that I had my main coach (MMA) warm me up. We just did light pad work, got warm but not too warm. That fight was only a round and a half but I felt MUCH better and did not get as tired as quickly. That fight was at 155 (we were both around 153). The fight after I fought at 160, so he was a bit stronger.

My question is how hard should I warm up? Just get warm? Work up a good sweat? About how much time should I give myself between warming up and getting in the ring (I know it is difficult to figure out because it depends on how quickly the fights are progressing).

I have an MMA fight in 3 weeks and I don't want to make any mistakes.

 

[ChachiKiller]

Recently I've had 3 amateur muay thai fights and I'm trying to decide the best way to warm up before getting into the ring. My last fight (which I lost a close decision) I got a lot more tired then I would have liked, now I was in shape for that fight and it was only 3 rounds (2 minutes each). Most of the fight was in the clinch which is arguably one of the most tiring aspect of standup. Anyway during the warm-up my muay thai coach had me hitting the pads hard up to 3 minutes before I got into the ring. I was feeling really tired during the warmups.

My fight before that I had my main coach (MMA) warm me up. We just did light pad work, got warm but not too warm. That fight was only a round and a half but I felt MUCH better and did not get as tired as quickly. That fight was at 155 (we were both around 153). The fight after I fought at 160, so he was a bit stronger.

My question is how hard should I warm up? Just get warm? Work up a good sweat? About how much time should I give myself between warming up and getting in the ring (I know it is difficult to figure out because it depends on how quickly the fights are progressing).

I have an MMA fight in 3 weeks and I don't want to make any mistakes.

You should determine how much you warm up not your coach. Let him work with you on drills. Let him work with you on fight strategy rehersals but when you dictate when to stop. Usually you turn away.

Perhaps some of why you are tanking is due to nerves. After three fights you should be feeling better. You have three weeks. To prepare properly, some part of each training should resemble your fight night. Warm up the same way that you will. When you are ready to spar, treat it like the real event (don't hurt people just a simulation). Warm up and sit around for a while like you would on your fight night. Start getting control of your thoughts. If you simulate it before hand, you have a better chance of being prepared mentally. You will be more relaxed and burn less energy.