It must be perplexing when you want to kickstart your MMA career but have no idea how to take things to the next level. You’re not alone. A lot of heavy bag beginner hitters think the same way. We are going to discuss everything about how to start an MMA career. You don’t have to worry because we have got your back.
How to Get into MMA?
To answer the question simply, you need to join a devoted MMA gym or institution to practice your moves and techniques. Understand the core of any martial arts and attend all training sessions to become a pro.
That seems quite a straightforward journey but how about going into each detail for your better understanding? Let’s jump right into the MMA world which is full of excitement and thrill.
How to Start MMA Career as a Beginner?
Getting proper MMA training is quite obvious. Everybody knows this much. What else do you need to know to start your MMA career? This section is all about the points you need to keep in mind to get started in MMA.

Get into the Right Mindset
Being in the right mental health is as important as being physically energetic and strong. Not mentally attending your training sessions won’t help you reach the expert level and start your MMA career.
So, you have to be mentally prepared for all the challenges and hurdles on the way to your goals. Nobody wants to get punches and strikes right at the face. You have to build patience in your behavior and an optimistic mindset if you want to achieve a good name in the MMA world.
Physical Endurance
A person with less physical endurance can’t learn tricky and challenging MMA techniques. It is always a great idea to build some physical strength and endurance. Several strengthening workouts can help you achieve your fitness goals. The heavy bag would be ideal equipment to do intensive drills and build physical strength.
Searching for a functional and long-lasting heavy bag? No look further. Here are some affordable yet long-lasting heavy bags for you. Check them out and start building physical stamina.
Develop Discipline
Discipline is another significant point when starting your MMA journey. You need to adopt a proper routine to get into MMA. Be on time, respect fellow fighters and seniors, have a schedule, and do all the work today, all of these habits will help develop discipline.
The discipline will smoother the road to your MMA career. Also, fighting can get pretty nerve-wracking for anyone, only a disciplined mind can handle the situation in a good way.
Proper Training
You have no idea how important it is to get proper training from a well-experienced instructor. If you’re not trained enough, you can’t even knock your opponent out inside the ring. Mastering the MMA techniques and constant practice with your fellow fighters will help you kick-start your MMA career.
Still, thinking about joining an MMA gym? Stop thinking and start working. Get up and start searching for well-reputed MMA gyms near your house and gather information about instructors as well. Now, you have to join that gym and start your MMA training with your favorite instructor.
Equipment to Start MMA Journey
What kind of equipment is important to get into MMA? That’s a valid question. This section will answer your question. You need the following equipment for your MMA training.
- Heavy bag: As we have mentioned in the previous section, heavy bags are considered ideal equipment for endurance and building high physical strength. Additionally, heavy bags help in getting training and practice sessions.
- Hand Wraps: Handwraps will protect your knuckles and delicate from getting hurt during practice sessions. Moreover, you should wear hand wraps under boxing gloves as well.
- Boxing gloves: Boxing gloves serve the purpose of protection and hand safety.
- Shin guards: The protection of you and your partner is the responsibility of the shin guard.
- Mouth guard: Mouth protection is as important as hand protection. A mouth guard will save your mouth and jaw from getting injured.
We have a detailed article on the best Shin guard. Check it out to get fewer injuries in your MMA journey.
Things to Keep in Mind:
Still not sure how to start MMA career? If you want to be the best in mixed martial arts then keep the following things in mind before starting MMA.
Don’t go for heavy sparring:
You’ll confront a lot of fighters or any random person who wants to do heavy sparring with you. It’s best if you don’t fall for it because all they want is to beat the crap out of you.
So, always prefer light sparring, not only it will help you get in the form but it is also great for developing footwork and stance. In the early days of training, focus on your technique and moves.
Injuries are part of the game:
Don’t let an injury demotivate you or mess up your head. Furthermore, getting hurt is a common part of the game and you can’t avoid that. Injuries will make you physically and mentally strong.
Remember, your passion and determination are bigger than any injury to recover yourself and get up to do some action.
Learn to defend yourself:
Learning attacking techniques is all fun and inspiring but defending moves can be motivating as well. You should know how to defend yourself in the ring when you are not in a position to attack.
Spend time with Experience Fighters:
One of the most important points to remember when you want to get started in MMA is spending time with your seniors. Talk to them about techniques and get practice with them. If you want to explore more about MMA then practice, listen, and watch more experienced than yourself will be great for you to get in action.
Watch your favorite fighters:
Spend time watching your favorite and best fighters. It will help you understand tricky moves better and eventually you’ll try to adopt them and apply them against your opponent.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask questions and learn something new, remember there is much more to understand than you imagined.
Listen to your coach or instructor:
You’ll get to hear a lot of advice throughout your training sessions but don’t stress too much over each piece of advice. You have to be calm and composed if you want to achieve something big.
But you should never ignore the advice you get from your seniors and coach. Listen, learn, and rectify as much as you can.
How to Build Confidence to Fight Inside the Ring?
Standing inside the ring and fighting with someone when so many people are looking can be pretty daunting and fearful. But you have to do it no matter what because all the fears are smaller in front of your dreams and goals.
Getting started in MMA demands a mountain of courage and confidence. Before jumping into a real fight, you need various intensive practice sessions.
Also, choose a gym that arranges fight nights once a week. Participate in those fights to overcome your fear and learn to handle your adrenaline rush.
Best Jobs for MMA Fighters:
After becoming an expert in your game, you need to look for mma career opportunities. We are going to list some of the best opportunities you should consider.
- Become a national or international fighter. International fighting can be extremely difficult and full of hurdles but your passion can get you there.
- You can consider becoming a personal trainer if you don’t want to continue your international career.
- After getting retired from your MMA fighting career, joining any gym and serving as a class instructor or coach can be an ideal option.
Is MMA a Good Career?
You must have got your answer to the question: how to start mma career?
A lot of people learn MMA for the sake of hobby, self-defense, or to get a skill. Pursuing MMA as a career won’t be easy for a lot of people. Is MMA worth it? This is the question you should be asking before deciding to get into MMA.
To answer the question, yes, pursuing MMA as a career is a good decision to make. If you’re full of passion and dedication, then surely choose MMA. You can’t become an expert and start fighting in a few months. Remember, it takes years and years to take things to the next level.
How much is the Average Salary of MMA Fighters?
The salary of MMA fighters depends on which level the fighter is participating in. Amateur fighters get paid as low as $100 per fight. Expert fighters mostly sign contracts for several fights. High-experienced fighters get paid between $500,000 to $3,000,000 while less experienced fighters get paid between $10,000 to $30,000 per fight.
Bottom Line:
Most of the learners get nervous about how to start an MMA career. We went the extra mile to answer your question and clear all of your doubts.
All you need to do is get a heavy bag, start practicing, and build physical strength. After that, join a well-reputed gym and start learning MMA techniques and moves. That’s how you get into the MMA world. Strive to be the best and explore the MMA world as much as you can.