There are two sides to the physical and mental elements of combat sports. On one hand, a fighter must build physical and mental arsenals to succeed. These ‘arsenals’ go a long way to improve the physical and mental health of martial arts practitioners. On the other hand, combat sports take a mental and physical toll on many athletes.
We explore the question of mental health in the MMA arena as a way to start conversations about the well-being of fighters. More specifically, we look at different mental health challenges that MMA fighters experience compared to other athletes. The experiences of these fighters may offer insights into how these athletes navigate the demands and realities of combat sports.
More importantly, we look at ways that combat sports like MMA can create systems that foster and safeguard mental health.
The Two-Way Link Between MMA And Mental Health
A first-time viewer of a cage match may dismiss the bout as a display of brute force. In reality, combat sports like MMA require massive amounts of mental work.
Fighters need quick wits to evade and counter repeated attacks. It also takes a tactician’s mindset to come up with a winning plan that accounts for an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly, MMA fighters need the fortitude to train, to fight, and to recover from every fight. This means that every successful fighter needs to develop a mental toolkit that serves them inside and outside of the ring.
The ‘mental toolkit’ includes resilience, confidence, discipline, good reflexes, and a strategic mind. An accurate sense of self is also essential for the fighter who wants to thrive during and after their combat career.
An MMA athlete will usually develop these mental skills as they train and prepare for competitions. These mental skills happen to be useful in many different areas of an athlete’s life. They help to counter the mental health challenges that many face throughout a mixed martial arts career.
Mental Health Challenges That An MMA Fighter May Face
Competitive sports create a deep desire to succeed, and this need has different effects on different individuals. For some, the drive to succeed becomes the fuel they use to overcome all kinds of challenges. Others become anxious as they count down the days leading up to an upcoming match-up. Unmanaged, anxiety can affect the athlete’s short-term and long-term performance.
This is the first of many challenges athletes deal with when pursuing a combat sport at a competitive level. There are a few more, and we talk about them below.
1) Stress
A professional MMA fighter must manage multiple sources of stress, and that’s excluding pressure points from their personal lives. Competitive athletes who depend on winnings for income have the added layer of financial anxiety.
To ensure their earnings, the fighter has to succeed at:
- Managing weight to qualify for fights in a certain weight class.
- Avoiding or managing injuries and chronic pain.
- Keeping both mind and body in prime fighting shape.
- Managing fear and pre-competition anxiety.
These measures take up a lot of space in the mind and daily schedule of the professional MMA fighter. Thankfully training, nutrition, and rest go a long way in addressing some of the issues on our list. Still, MMA athletes need extra support to deal with the stress of regular weigh-ins, a strict routine, and the constant (financial) pressure to win.
2) The Pressure To Recover Quickly
This circles back to the pressure to succeed, maintain a good ranking, and earn money. The reality is that MMA fighters need to participate in regular matches to ‘keep their spot’ as it were. Many athletes feel as if they have a few years to make the most of their MMA careers. So the longer a fighter needs to recover, the less time they have left to chart a trailblazing MMA legacy.
The internal (and sometimes external) pressure pushes many fighters to resume training and competition before they heal completely. As a result, such fighters risk chronic pain, stress, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, and depression.
The Solution To Handling The Fallout Of Injury For MMA Fighters
Again, the way an athlete trains can help or hurt their mental health. Good, holistic training will foster a healthy approach to dealing with injury, pain management, and handling pressure. Training should also teach and develop techniques to mitigate injury.
Rehab centers that cater to MMA athletes should favor treatments that factor in the long-term health of the fighter. Anyone that offers miracle recovery programs and quick fixes should arouse skepticism until they prove themselves. Proving themselves would involve measures like clinical studies and athletes who enjoy long-term benefits from such interventions.
3) Psychological Training & Mental Health
Psychological training is as crucial as physical training in preparing fighters for the rigors of competition. This includes techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and the psychological pressures that come with high-stakes competition. Techniques such as visualization, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral strategies are often employed to enhance mental toughness and focus. These tools are invaluable not just for performance enhancement but also for coping with the aftermath of a fight, whether it be dealing with injuries, losses, or the stress of constant competition.
MMA fighters are often faced with a unique set of mental challenges. Disappointment, uncertainty, fear, and the pressure to perform can take a toll on an athlete’s mental health. The physical risks associated with MMA, such as concussions and other injuries, can also contribute to anxiety and long-term mental health issues. Recognizing and addressing these challenges is essential for the well-being of fighters.
The community aspect of martial arts plays a significant role in supporting mental health. Many gyms and training centers foster a sense of belonging and provide a supportive network for athletes. This community support can be a lifeline for fighters, offering encouragement, understanding, and a place to share experiences and struggles. It’s not uncommon for fighters to form close bonds with their coaches, teammates, and even opponents, creating a solid support system that extends beyond the gym.
Fostering Mental Health For MMA Fighters Is A Team Effort
It takes a strong mind and body to make it as an MMA fighter. It’s therefore important that MMA gyms support fighters as they train, compete, and deal with the challenges of combat sports.
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