The mixed martial arts world (MMA) has an extensive array of disciplines a fighter must learn to overcome their opponent.

When the MMA first came onto the scene you knew real quick a one-dimensional competitor, such as a boxer, had no chance against a Jiu-jitsu fighter like Hoyce Gracie. Fighters like this who could wrap you up and choke you out like a cobra (even though he may have been 100 pounds less than his opponent).

In today’s martial arts, every fighter is working on their disciplines. Even when it comes to someone that is specializing in one discipline, there is a combination of techniques at play.

There are boxing skills for striking, disciplines like Jiu-jitsu for wrestling/grappling, but there are also many other techniques you’ll have to defend.

These can include Muay-Thai, Judo, even karate.

As the sport has grown so has every fighter’s background in fighting, and now the one thing that can separate a fighter from the pack is overall strength combined with agility.

The old adage of lifting weights will make you stiff and slow is long gone.

MMA fighters are hitting the gym for strength training, at least two times a week, on top of their already busy training schedule, to help unlock hidden power they didn’t even know existed.

Fighters are learning to train their reactive strength to gain access to more punching power and faster takedown on the grappling side. Training for strength not only helps with the high-velocity speed in their punches and maximal strength for overpowering takedowns, but it also can reduce the risk of injury.

Injuries happen so often in MMA that the loser of most fights will see the inside of an ambulance after a fight.

MMA fighters need a high level of reactive strength, explosive or elastic strength (such as a vertical jump, and maximal strength such as a deadlift). These two coupled together during a workout can help transform the body’s elasticity which translates how quickly they can get to maximal strength.

Speed equals power and reactive strength plays a large role in striking speed. Elastic strength highly relates to powerful takedowns.

So, if you thought MMA fighters had tough training regimens now you know they have, most likely, the hardest training of any athlete on the planet.