MMA is one of the world’s most demanding sports. Technique is paramount, but so is fitness – and of course toughness.

Whether you are a pro MMA fighter looking for a strength & conditioning program, or an enthusiast & fan looking for an MMA workout plan pdf, this post should be of interest…

Updated January 30th 2023

For a general – MMA Strength and Conditioning Program pdf – please click the link below to download:

For a Power & strength – MMA Strength and Conditioning Program pdf – please click the link below to download:

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MMA Conditioning – Training Movements not Muscles

Whenever possible, it’s important to train with MMA specific movements. The best way to build fitness for MMA – is to replicate MMA movements

• Remember you are training for MMA, avoid bodybuilding exercises – train movements not muscles
• Remember MMA is your priority, don’t get injured going too heavy or overtraining in the gym
• Whole body exercises such as squats or squat and press, will convert more directly to MMA-Strength than bicep curls or bench press machine exercises.
• Have at least 1 rest day per week (preferably more)
• You must stretch. Including yoga as part of your program is a good idea.
• Remember pre-hab exercises, such as rotator cuff

• The length of the rest period in between bouts of exercise is crucial – the length will depend on what exercises you are doing, how fit you are and if you are training for a fight or competition. For example, when doing a circuit of MMA exercises and movements, vary the rest period from 1 minute for longer sessions, to just 10 seconds for short Tabata style sessions (with 20 seconds of all out effort for the exercises)

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MMA Circuit – Strength & Conditioning

Use a weighted vest to create a highly specific MMA Circuit

• Fight-stance – Sidestep Squats
• Wrestling Sit-throughs
• Burpee-Sprawls
• Triangle ‘hip ups’**
• Medicine Ball Floor Slams
• Militarily Press
• Glute Bridge into Mount Hip Escape***
• Fight Stance Squat & Step****
• Thrusters (Squat & Press) with band or dumbbells
• Rotational Box Jumps*
• Band Curls (squeeze at the top, like a choke)

*Stand on a box. Face forwards. Jump and rotate so that you land looking to the right. Video here.

**Lie on your back. Lift your feet off the ground & perform a triangle choke movement, in mid air

***Lie on your back. Bring feet to your buttocks. Bridge up by lifting your buttocks off the floor as high as possible. Then perform the mount hip escape by ‘shrimping’

****Adopt the stance of a wrestler/BJJ Player, standing up with one leg in front of the other, slightly side on. Squat down, and then as you come up, step forwards as far as you can by driving off your back foot. Then squat down and repeat.

For more information about periodising your training programs – please read on!

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Bompa Periodisation for MMA Strength & Conditioning

Always consult a doctor before undertaking a new exercise routine. If perform incorrectly these exercises could result in injury or death. 

MMA has developed into one of the most technically and physically demanding sports on the planet. One of the greatest challenges that MMA places on its combatants; is the huge range and diversity of skills and fitness requirements that have to be studied and mastered in order to compete at the top level. Muay Thai, Freestyle Wrestling and Brazilian Ju Jitsu are just some of the disciplines that need to be addressed and practised, whilst speed, power, stamina, flexibility and strength are necessary physical proficiencies that form the foundation of every successful fighter. 

In order to accommodate and succeed in all aspects of MMA, a fighter should break down his training into a number of separate goals. A general base of fitness needs to be established, and then specific goals are set to reach peak performance at a set time.

It was outstanding athletics coach Arthur Lydiard that noted ‘Athletes tend to repeat basic training patterns over and over again, yet with each repetition of the basic plan they expect different (i.e. better) results’. Without a periodised training programme, fighters will reach a plateau relatively quickly. In addition, many sport scientist theorise that peak performance cannot be maintained and therefore should be in order to coincide with key competitions. 

The body does not adapt well to numerous overloads at once, and therefore the different aspects of physical fitness, such as strength, muscular endurance and V02Max training should have separate periods where they are emphasised. Motor learning is similar, in that the phases of learning are progressed through more quickly if the brain can focus on one or two things at a time.

Therefore, especially when an individual first enters the sport, it is best to separate technical training into stand up, wrestling, and ground fighting, and have periods of time when each is emphasised while the others are maintained. This is the foundation of periodised training. 

The organisation of training can be dated back to the ancient Olympics. However it was not until the early 1900s that specialists such as Murphy and Kotov suggested preparatory exercises and distinct phases. Research and further development into periodisation, took its next significant steps in the 1960s when Russian physiologist Leo Metveyev and Czechoslovakian sport scientist Tudor Bompa expanded and organized the periodization model. Since the 1960s, Bompa’s model has been tweaked and expanded upon by many sport scientists, but the basic fundamentals remain the same. 

In a non periodised training programme; all physical parameters contributing to sporting performance receive equal attention throughout the year. This approach is less efficient than a sensible periodised programme due to a number of factors: 

– lack of time in a single week to fully attend to all the parameters that influence performance 

– The development of some physiological parameters are interfered with by the concurrent development of others 

– Some components of performance can not be adequately developed before certain prerequisites are met. 

The complete periodisation of an MMA fighter’s routine would take at least a few days to put together. When you consider that every thing from striking power, core stability, nutrition and strength has to be periodised in relation to everything else. It gives me a headache just thinking about it! I’ll do my best to touch on strength training. 

The importance of strength training for MMA is not to build big muscles, since they are rarely equated with improvements in power. In fact strength should be built along side other important abilities such as reactive power and power endurance. Strength training must be structured into training phases leading into a competitive phase. If during fights, strength gains are not effectively utilised to produce peak performance, then the whole training has been useless regardless of muscle size. 

Gains in strength must lead to fight specific adaptations. A fighter requires the development of three main abilities: 

• Power – refers to the state of applying force. When speed is integrated with maximum strength, power is the outcome. 
• Reactive power – being able to repeat powerful movements in quick succession. For example, immediately throwing a jumping knee after falling to execute a double leg. 
• Power endurance – the ability to throw hard strikes, and remain explosive throughout a fight. 

According to Tudor Bompa, strength training is time phased into five distinct sections. A typical periodised strength training plan would incorporate the following: 

Phase 1: Anatomical Adaptation 

Phase 2: Hypertrophy 

Phase 3: Maximal Strength 

Phase 4: Conversion Phase 

Phase 5: Transition 

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Phase 1: Anatomical Adaptation 

The first phase is known as anatomical adaptation.

This phase forms the base of your strength. It is an important, but often neglected part of training. It is required after a medium to long term rest from training, or when beginning a strength based programme. Ligaments, tendons need to be overloaded extremely gradually, and the central nervous system needs to adapt to new weight lifting techniques before the muscle will become a limiting factor (rather than technique or ligament strength). The exercises in the phase will be general in nature, focusing on the often neglected qualities such as joint stability, strengthening connective tissues, correcting structural imbalances, and preparing for the more intense and specific training to follow. 

The length of time spent in this phase will depend on how long a fighter has rested from training and/or their training history. The novice fighter may spend 8 weeks in this phase, whilst others may spend as little as 2 to 3 weeks. When training for strength, intensity is fairly low, lifting weights of around 60% of 1 rep max, with high repetitions (between 8-15). 

The exercises incorporated in this phase will again depend on the fighter’s experience. Exercises such as deadlifts which put great stress on the core and require a fairly high level of technique, would not be recommended for those who have not trained with weight before. Similarly for those who have not weight trained before, it is recommended that repetitions are kept high, until correct technique and posture for each exercise is learnt accurately.

The length of the routine, including the number of sets will also depend upon the intensity and duration of other training undertaken (thai boxing, wrestling etc). Within the last 2 years, their has actually been an increasing body of evidence suggesting that training one set of an exercise to failure is just as effective in building strength as training with multiple sets. Although more research is required with elite athletes, this would suggest that a workout lasting as little as 30 minutes could be highly effective. 

The below programme is recommended for an individual with no experience of weight training. It consists mainly of compound and core exercises that will form a base of strength, core stability and technique for the rest of the programme. I have seen exercises such as deadlifts, squats and even variations of Olympic Lifts added into this phase. From my own personal experience I have found that due to a lack of core strength, and due to massive muscular imbalances in beginners, such exercises are rarely effective. Instead I have included exercises such as front squat and overhead squat which will predominantly stress and develop the core, and will prepare the body for the exercises to come. 

Remember to do ten minutes of cardio and mobility exercises before doing any weight training. As with every phase leave at least 1 day in between routines. 

Day 1 

Dumbell Bench Press 3 sets x 15 reps 

One arm Row 3 sets x 15 reps 

Single leg calf raise 2 x 20 

Leg Press 3 x 12 

Lunges 2 x 12 

Swiss ball crunches 2 x 15 

Plank 2 x Hold for 45 secs 

Side plank 2 x Hold for 45 secs 

Superman 4 x Hold for 20 secs 

Stretch 

Day 2 

Lat pull Down 2 x 15 

Swiss Ball Shoulder Press 2 x 12 

Dips 2 x 12 

Upright Row 2 x 12 

Back extensions 2 x 15 

Overhead squat 2 x 12 

Front squat 2 x 12 

Russian twists 2 x 20 

Cable wood chops 2 each side x 12 

Gluteal bridge 2 x Hold for 30 seconds 

Cuban Press 1 on each arm x 15 

stretch 

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Phase 2: Hypertrophy 

This phase may not be applicable to those fighting in specific weight categories, as the individual is likely to gain weight. This phase provides a solid foundation for building maximal strength, and provides greater muscle fibre mass, to increase the potential strength and power that can be attained. This phase is usually about 5 weeks long. Compound exercises should be emphasised in the weights room, with repetitions of 6 – 12. rest intervals should be varied; between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. In the following routine I have added squats, but with high repetitions. Before attempting heavy squats or deadlifts a fighter should first ensure that their posture is correct, that their core is strong and their flexibility is adequate. Common mistake include bowing of the knees and raising of the heels off the floor. Each exercise performed in this phase should be preceded with a warm up set of the same exercise; using a light weight for 15 + repetitions. 

Day 1 

Weighted Chin ups 3 x 10 

Barbell bench press 2 x 8 

Squats 3 x 12 

Barbell Row 2 x 10 

Multi directional lunges 2 x 12 

Leg extension 1 x 8 

Leg curls 1 x 10 

Hanging leg raises 2 x 12 

Swiss ball plank 2 x Hold for 30 secs 

Weighted crunches 2 x 12 

Day 2 

Dumbell Shoulder Press 3 x 10 

Weighted dips 3 x 10 

Upright row 2 x 8 

Seated bicep curls 2 x 12 

Front squat 3 x 10 

Dumbbell step ups 2 x 12 

Lateral raises 1 x 12 

Cuban Press 1 on each arm x 20 

Back extensions 2 x 15 

Cable wood chop 2 on each side x 10 

Swiss ball side crunch 1 on each side x 10 

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Phase 3: Maximal Strength 

Maximal strength is often a limiting factor in power, and therefore is very important for an MMA fighter. Power = force x velocity, and training strength will increase the force that a fighter can potentially produce. Moreover, maximal strength and power is most often used during a fight and is therefore more specific to MMA than higher repetition training programmes. Each time a fighter shoots in for a double leg, and throws a flying knee, they are exerting their maximal force, rather than around 75% of maximum as with many bodybuilding protocols. 

Generally speaking, in this phase, the weights lifted should be 85% – 100% of 1 rep max, with repetitions from 1 to 6, and rest intervals 2 to 6 minutes long. However, I would not recommend doing 1 rep max exercises too often, and would never do them with isolation or core exercises. 

Remember to warm up and perform a warm up set before each exercise. Perform a number of warm up sets before completing a working set of deadlifts. I have separated the routine into 3 shorter workouts, to reduce the effect of fatigue on strength training. I would even be tempted to remove some of the isolation exercises such as calf raises, shrugs and French press is recovery effects other aspects of training. 

Day 1 

Weighted chin ups
1 set of 6 reps
1 set of 4 reps 

Deadlifts
4 sets of:
6, 5, 4, 2, reps

One arm Row
2 sets on each arm of 6 reps

Weighted dips
2 sets of 8, 6 reps

French press 
2 sets of 8 reps 

Weighted crunches 2 sets of 8 reps

Hanging leg raises 2 sets of 10 reps

Swiss ball plank

2 sets
Hold for 1 minute 

Day 2 

Barbell Shoulder press
3 sets of:
6, 6, 4 reps

Full Squats
4 sets of 8, 8, 4, 2 reps

Partial Deadlifts
3 sets of 8, 6, 4 reps

Lateral raise 2 sets of 12 reps

High Pulls
3 sets of
6, 4, 2 reps 

Day 3 

Barbell Bench Press
3 sets of
8, 4, 2 reps

Incline close grip Bench Press 2 sets of
6, 4 reps

Barbell rear lunges
3 sets of 8, 6, 6 reps

Shrugs
3 sets of 8, 6, 4 reps

Standing calf raise
2 sets of 12, 8, 6 reps

Good mornings
2 sets
12, 8 reps

Cable wood chops
2 sets of 10 reps each side 

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Phase 4: Conversion 

This phase is incorporated in order to convert all gains in strength, into more functional, sport specific abilities. Strength in the weights room forms a good base of strength and power, but in order for this to transfer directly to the cage, more specific exercises must be performed. In order to convert strength into more sport specific power, exercises such as Olympic lifts and plyometrics should be performed. Before undertaking these exercises, it is important that the fighter has a strong core, a high level of proprioception and flexibility. All of which should have been built in the previous three phases. 

Maximal strength training has taught the body to exert maximal effort against a maximal load. Power training will teach the body to exert maximal force against less resistance, and with greater speed. In addition, functional exercises will develop the specific coordination and neuromuscular pathways needed in order to perform take downs, strikes and other techniques with maximal speed and power. 

This is the phase of training where injury is most likely to occur. The fighter should warm up with at least 10 minutes of cardio, of an intensity of around 75% max heart rate. This will not only reduce the risk of injuries, but muscles have been shown to be more explosive and powerful when warm. Complete at least 2 warm up sets before each exercise. 

Day 1 

Power Clean

4 sets of
6, 4, 2, 2 reps

Push Press
3 sets of
6, 6, 4 reps

Squat – done at speed
3 sets of 8, 6, 6 reps

Plyometric press ups

2 sets of 8 reps 

Reverse lunges
2 sets of 10 reps

Hurdle Jumps
2 sets of 10 reps

Lateral Barrier Jumps

2 sets of 20 reps 

Weighted Swiss ball crunches

2 sets of 12 reps

Russian twists
2 sets of 20 reps

Day 2 

Weighted Towel Chin ups 3 sets of 6 reps 

Weighted jumps
3 sets of 6 reps 

Front squat
3 sets of 8 reps

Depth jumps
2 sets of 8 reps

Medicine ball chest pass 
3 sets of 10 reps

Push up depth jump

2 sets of 12 reps

High pulls
3 sets of 8, 6, 4 reps

Medicine Ball oblique Side throws
2 sets of 6 reps each side 

Good mornings
2 sets of 12 reps

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Phase 5: Transition 

This phase is simply to recover from the previous training; to give muscles, joints and connective tissue a good rest. Light cardio, preferably none-impact such as cycling, and stretching is the only exercise that I would recommend here. This phase should last for 2 – 6 weeks depending on if any injuries have been incurred. 

Well; there you have it. This is a very general and basic example of a periodised programme. I fighter should work backwards from the date of his/her fight, and look to peak on that day. Training should be tapered so that the fighter is fully recovered and rested on the day of the fight. Training in the weights room should be adapted to fit your personal training programme.

Remember that even short training programmes with 1 set of each exercise can be very effective and is well worth doing.

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Become a certified MMA Strength & Conditioning Coach – Click here

Become a certified MMA Strength & Conditioning Coach – Click here

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Resistance bands are incredibly versatile and great tools for MMA training. A thin band from 7lb up to around 25lb of resistance is best for punching drills – you want some resistance but not so much that it interferes with the ideal mechanics and muscle recruitment of a punch. METIS resistance bands are pretty good – I have a green one for squats but the lighter ones are great for punching drills.

MMA Conjugate Method

The Conjugate Method often involves bands and chains

It involves static strength exercises, dynamic strength and accessory exercises.

The types of exercise and training are normally split by day of the week.

Dynamic strength involves acceleration and force generation exercises, using bands and plyometrics.

Dynamic strength exercises normally involve reps of 1 to 5, and short rest periods – 1 to 2 mins.

Max Effort Strength Training – reps of 1 to 5 and rest of 2 mins to 5 mins. Typically involves squat, deadlifts, bench press and military press.

Accessory Days – involve working on weaknesses – e.g. if your hamstrings are weak, work on them during an accessory day.

Change the program completely every 10 weeks. Modify the program slightly every week.

For Dynamic days – also look at French Contrast Training

French Contrasts consists of 4 exercises performed one after another. These include:

• Heavy compound (80-90% 1RM) e.g. squats
• A plyometric jump – e.g. depth jump for 1 rep
• A drop set or weighted jump (30% 1RM)
• Plyometric or accelerated plyometric – e.g. vertical jumps

Anyone Use French Contrast Training for MMA ‘power’
byu/nakedwelshguy inMMA_Fitness

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The “Add On Technique”

If technique is your paramount concern, or you struggle with recovery, then consider the “Add on” MMA strength & conditioning technique.

Give yourself much longer to recover by combining technical/MMA sessions with 2 or 3 weighlifting exercises. I’d advise against doing this before sparring or any sessions that have a high risk of injury.

An example of the Add On Technique:

• Arrive 20 mins early before a pad sessions
• Complete a 10 minute steady state cardio warmup
• Perform 2 sets of squats & 1 set of plyometric jumps
• Complete pad session

That’s you’re S & C, and pad session done in one.

This goes against the grain and conventional wisdom in strength and conditioning, but one set weight-training produces remarkable results. With the added stimulus of an MMA session, you’re almost definitely doing enough to force your body to adapt and get stronger, faster etc.

Has anyone tried a single-set regimen for any length of time? If so how was progress?
byu/Fenris78 inbodybuilding

Recent study shows that JUST ONE SET PER MUSCLE GROUP is enough to build strength
byu/pranjayv inbodyweightfitness

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• A new meta-analysis – August 2022 – has shown that periodization results in greater gains in strength, but not muscle size/hypertrophy – which is ideal for MMA

Want to learn more?

See our 6 Week MMA Training Program here

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