For Christmas, my girlfriend gave me The Ultimate Fighter, Season 2- Uncut, Untamed and Uncensored
reality show on DVD. Our place was a mess with shredded gift wrap paper strewn across the floor. And after our moment of holiday cheer reached its peak, we decided to watch the first episode.
Season 2 featured Rich Franklin and Matt Hughes as coaches, but before they could train anyone, three fighters were eliminated early on. One was eliminated due to injury, another quit after he experienced a panic attack and the last could not make weight and thus was kicked off the show. Three fighters eliminated, none fought.
It got me thinking about the importance of mental preparation MMA fighters go through. I've noticed elite fighters have strong mental frames, that is they are focused and determined to win. But it goes beyond self motivation and in fact, there's a scientific approach to it.
Today's professional mixed martial arts bouts are not just physical but are also cerebral experiences. Elite fighters focus their thought patterns to such a refined level of precision that the physical part of fighting becomes natural and intuitive. MMA training camps, in addition to using physical trainers and nutritionists, are also including sport psychologists who add another dimension to a fighter's training regimen.
Famed Personal Life Coach, Anthony Robbins is using the science of Neuro-Associative Conditioning to help Chuck Liddell prepare for this weekend's match against Wanderlei Silva.
Neuro Performance Training Systems are also used by IFL fighters like Chris Horodecki. A specialized system of visualization exercises enables Chris to reach peak performance during chaotic and unpredictable moments in a fight.
Georges St. Pierre understands the importance of mental preparation and has a sports psychologist as part of his training team.
"Brian Cain, my sports psychologist, has given me skills to train a part of my game that I never even knew existed" proclaims St. Pierre.
Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes have prepared on four weeks notice to fight for a third time. While Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva are both coming from back to back losses. They are all phenomenal fighters so the difference tomorrow night at UFC 79 may come down to which fighter has the sharpest mental edge.
