I was talking to my buddy before the big UFC fight this weekend and he said he hoped that, if nothing else, Brock Lesnar’s success would help make more people realize how important maximal strength training is for MMA. I couldn’t have agreed more. To this day there are still tons of guys who scoff at heavy strength training for combat sports. Conditioning is the most important quality a mixed martial artist or amateur wrestler needs, so that tends to be the main focus of a large majority of combat training programs while the strength work gets neglected.
I have maintained for quite some time now that this is a huge mistake. Sure there are some guys who eschew any type of heavy strength training and are incredibly successful. Their conditioning is unsurpassed, their skill level is second to none, and they are champions because of it. But what if they dramatically increased their strength on top of that? How much better could they be?
Sean Sherk, Matt Hughes and Brock Lesnar have all won fights that they otherwise might not have if they didn’t possess superior levels of strength. That is definitely something to think about.
I know plenty of mixed martial artists and wrestlers that I am easily twice as strong as. Most of these guys would tie me up in a pretzel and break both my arms in the blink of an eye. But if skill and conditioning were equal, the stronger guy will always have the advantage. This fact can not be overlooked if you want to put a few more W’s on your MMA or wrestling record.
Another fact most people overlook is that when you improve your strength, your conditioning usually follows suit. That is because everything you do when you are stronger requires less effort.
Like I have always said, a stronger athlete is almost always a better athlete.
Without his superior strength there is a good chance that Brock Lesnar may have been on the losing end Saturday night. Instead he is the new heavy weight champion of the world. (and he didn’t even have to use the F5 or the moonsault!)
Think about it.
For more on strength training for combat sports, check out…
Fit to Fight: An Insanely Effective Strength and Conditioning Program for the Ultimate MMAWarrior
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17. Nov, 2008
at 4:32 pm #
What i expected this from Chad Waterbury but you wow. Lesnar won because he is 55 pounds bigger thats like Urijah Faber fighting Anderson Silva, hey Im all for lifting but the best fighter in the world Fedor does Calisthenics my point Max strength does not matter as much. Look at Hughes Lesnars and Sherks workouts bodybuilding and plyos/endurance work. You are also in a dream world if you think max strength is so imortant in wrestling sure but submissions and the fround not even close.
17. Nov, 2008
at 6:52 pm #
Ned,
This is unreadable jibberish. Please refer to the “Defiantly” post here: http://www.jasonferruggia.com/?p=239 and then try to repost your thoughts.
Punctuation is your friend; remember that.
17. Nov, 2008
at 7:51 pm #
My PUNKtuation, grammer and spulling suxs!
You see, I am a meat head… and I think anything that has to do with getting stronger is spot on!
Great post Jay!
Elliott
http://HulseStrength.com
17. Nov, 2008
at 9:06 pm #
I really don’t understand why people can’t take the time to spell properly. I know that’s off topic but come on. If you post, take some time to look over your sentences before exposing them to the world.
18. Nov, 2008
at 6:27 am #
Thanks E. Keep kicking ass.
Your fellow meathead,
Jay
18. Nov, 2008
at 12:50 pm #
Ned, with all due respect, the OP wasn’t suggesting you drop conditioning. Instead of flaming him you otta give his recommendation a shot. Incorporate some strength work into your schedule and decide for yourself. Then come back in 6 months and say “I tried it out, here’s what I observed:…” At that point you’ll be halfway down the scientific method road.
09. Dec, 2008
at 11:05 am #
Jason
Great post. Personally, I think Brock got lucky and caught Randy… cause the natural was winning that one… BUT…
Maximal strength is the FOUNDATION of all other physical skills, INCLUDING endurance, etc… so it makes sense to always, always, always schedule in maximal strength work since it will only make all your other training that much more effective!
Later
Caleb
10. Nov, 2011
at 10:56 am #
Yeah, strength conditioning is the most important for a warrior like Brock. MMA fighters these days are realizing the importance doing it. Too bad, Brock isn’t active after his last fight.