Why do fighters still bother to run for "cardio"

[Finding Deebo]

So I get where OP's coming from, Power-endurance is definitely different than steady-state. I ran cross-country in University (as part of a local club, not on the Univeristy team) before I started MMA. Striking endurance is much different than running. Grappling is much different as well.

 

[tramendous]

I mean, I get that running is important in boxing where they fight longer and where there isn't as much to learn as in mma anyway, so they have time for that, but can somebody fucking explain to me why MMA fighters are still running?
They have so much things to work on technically, there is noone in the world who has elite level boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and bjj at the same time, so why don't they try to work more on technique.

And as far as cardio goes, there are so many better/more specific ways to work on that.
Bjj drills, non stop flow wrestling, high intensity Dutch drills on the bag, if done correctly, those things will ramp your heart rate up as much as running, in addition to developping your technique and not putting wear and tear on your body as much as running does.
Grapplers don't run (not speaking about wrestlers but about jitters, Adcc guys). Some intelligent kickboxers, like Bazooka Joe, don't run either, for the very same reasons I just enounced. So why in the world would guys who have such big holes in their game as far as technique goes (which is normal, you can't be good at everything) still waste time with running?


Btw, I'm of course speaking about long distance running, not speaking of short sprints, which can be useful, though not indispensable

You can do things like running and cycling often with low risk of injury vs all the other things you mentioned.

 

[1s1k]

They need to follow some of the same styles of drills that hockey players do.

Instead of long distance training they focus on recovery drills. They are tired after a shift but a quick recovery has them come out fresh shift after shift.

They may do a version of this with extended times since a round is longer than a shift but watching some of the recovery between rounds it’s definitely not all of them.

 

[Finding Deebo]

You can do things like running and cycling often with low risk of injury vs all the other things.

This is probably the most accurate reason. It's a different Modality and allows you to get SOME work without the constant pounding of MMA training.

 

[londonzizou93]

That's the most broscience I've ever heard... Why would legs feel heavier when kicking or shadowboxing than they do when running?

Not all the best do it. GSP did sprints, but no distance running. I don't think Anderson did run for hours either. Have never seen a single picture of Jones running either (excepts after the burglar). You also have to take into consideration fighters are often big guys who can't afford running too often if they don't want to mess up their knees.

Well i did wrestling and little bit of track in college so i have an idea of what talking about. You ever hard spar for 5 rounds? Yeah legs usually feel heavier and movements do slow down. Sprints are good but with a little rest like 10 seconds rest and going again. Or simply doing shuttle runs aka suicides. One of the best ways to see if youre in top shape is to do a beep test. Its all running back and forth but at the time you stop you wont feel your arms as much as your legs. Also my friend just doing long distance isnt good enough for top fighters, they also usually do plyometrics, speed and explosive trainings.

 

[Cid]

For cardio there aren't that many things that are more effective and efficient than lifting more than your entire body weight thousands of times in an hour.

Each time you hit the ground there's your entire body weight + whatever increase from you being in the air + whatever force is needed to put you back into the air for the next stride.

Just working on bodyweight at two strides per second...
2x60 = 120
120 x 265lbs (average sherdogger weight)
=31800 lbs lifted per minute

 

[tasticles]

Because, unlike boxers, they do not fight face to face like real men do, but rather have a tendency to turn their backs and run away when in danger.

I know you're trying to trigger, but you're right. Boxing is by far the manliest fight sport.

 

[Woldog]

This is so wrong.


There are only two proven ways to get superhero level cardio.
1. Running through Philly followed by crowds of fans.
2. Racing Apollo Creed on the beach.

/end thread

 

[Zarate]

Saw on Khamzats Insta how he did 25 x 85 metres hill sprints.

He's only doing hill sprints and circuit training. TS sounds like a smartass but he's right. (Explosive) circuit training with HIIT is the GOAT way for endurance / cardio.

rope, sprawls, agility ladder, box jumps, machine guns, burpees or for punching power explosive push ups, cuban uppercuts and so on.

no need to run for 1 hour.

 

[The Chosen]

Have you ever played a sport in your life?

 

[Queen B]

Ok great but where are the studies showing that running improves your cardio more than hitting the bag for 45 minutes non stop?
Especially when you add kicks who take so much of energy...

Bazooka Joe is wrong

If you can fight the whole fight anaerobic, then its not anaerobic

A fight is mostly AEROBIC (running) with bursts of anaerobic (sprinting).


If you want to see a fight that is truly anaerobic, watch Frye vs Takayama. It didnt last very long because its not possible to use the anaerobic system for more than 1-2 minutes without a hefty recovery time

 

[Mortigan]

Real answer:

The human body is unique in the modern animal kingdom. 4 million years made us the ultimate long distance runner and cardio machine. That has an impact on every sport.

Every human should be running, not just athletes. What optimal routines look like for professional MMA fighters is a good debate, but there should be no debate that regular running is important to keep your body working well, and nothing replaces it well at all.

 

[Skace]

I think for older fighters running on treadmill could be replaced with swimming. Swimming is alot better on the knees and calf's.
Yet still an awesome workout, one lap of the swimming pool is pretty exhausting if you are not used to it.

 

[pudgelarson36]

The answer is pretty basic... aerobic base. This can only grow through sustained mid heart rate training such as running. If you think about a pyramid of endurance, the aerobic function makes up the base/foundation layer. Everything else can grow more substantially based on that.

One of the few fighters truly dedicated to aerobic base training is Colby Covington and I would say his results tell all the story you need.

 

[deucesarewild]

I'm trying to remember these two. I think I saw this fight many years ago. Who are they?

 

[Hatorade]

If we're talking about elite fighters...........Cardio > technique
If Brock Lesnar had the same cardio as Nick Diaz, he would literally be unbeatable

 

[Lethal_Striker]

Is the TS trolling us, come on seriously bro?

 

[PD4838]

I'm trying to remember these two. I think I saw this fight many years ago. Who are they?

Nate Quarry vs Kalib Starnes

 

[deucesarewild]

Nate Quarry vs Kalib Starnes

Right! Cuz Starnes was running. I remember now lol

 

[Oeshon]

when i was boxing, if you don't run, you don't fight.

i never liked running, but you have to run when playing football or boxing.

 

[Contempt]

I mean, I get that running is important in boxing where they fight longer and where there isn't as much to learn as in mma anyway, so they have time for that, but can somebody fucking explain to me why MMA fighters are still running?
They have so much things to work on technically, there is noone in the world who has elite level boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and bjj at the same time, so why don't they try to work more on technique.

And as far as cardio goes, there are so many better/more specific ways to work on that.
Bjj drills, non stop flow wrestling, high intensity Dutch drills on the bag, if done correctly, those things will ramp your heart rate up as much as running, in addition to developping your technique and not putting wear and tear on your body as much as running does.
Grapplers don't run (not speaking about wrestlers but about jitters, Adcc guys). Some intelligent kickboxers, like Bazooka Joe, don't run either, for the very same reasons I just enounced. So why in the world would guys who have such big holes in their game as far as technique goes (which is normal, you can't be good at everything) still waste time with running?


Btw, I'm of course speaking about long distance running, not speaking of short sprints, which can be useful, though not indispensable

I guess all these professional athletes should go fire their strength and conditioning coaches and hire you as you apparently know better huh?

Pretty sure they will stick with a professional, not some random dude talking shit on the internet.