An Overview of Coaching in MMA
by Ryan Quinn
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a dynamic combat sport that integrates techniques from various martial arts disciplines to achieve victory through striking, grappling, or submission. Since the formation of MMA competition just over three decades ago, the sport has evolved significantly both technically and strategically. This progression has placed increasing responsibility on coaches to develop structured, effective training programs prioritizing performance and athlete safety. As in all sports, proper coaching is essential for an athlete's potential; however, in MMA, inadequate coaching can lead to underperformance and a heightened risk of serious injury. This article highlights MMA coaches’ roles, responsibilities, and evolving practices, particularly emphasizing athlete development, training methodologies, and the integration of modern sports science. It also incorporates insights from discussions with several world-class coaches, each bringing a unique philosophy and approach to athlete preparation and team culture. To understand the current landscape of MMA coaching, one must first explore the sport's origins and early development.
Origins and Early Development
Various forms of MMA have emerged and been experimented with worldwide; however, the term was first coined after the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 1 in November of 1993. The event was marketed to the public as a combat sports tournament to determine which martial art was superior. Royce Gracie, representing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was the smallest person in the tournament, but won all his fights by submission to become champion.
The use of Jiu-Jitsu opened the minds of martial artists worldwide following UFC 1, demonstrating that there is more to fighting than just kicks, punches, and slams. It showed that a smaller or less athletic individual could gain the upper hand in a fight, challenging traditional notions of combat effectiveness. Consequently, cross-training became essential, with fighters eager to learn this unfamiliar grappling-based style. Teams were formed, and a new era of mixed martial arts began to take shape.
Training Time Allocation and Individualization
With so many techniques to cover, the coach must distribute training time appropriately. However, appropriately does not mean evenly. Many coaches made this mistake early in the development of mixed martial arts programs, creating rigid, uniform schedules that ultimately limited their athletes from reaching their full potential. Unfortunately, some coaches still fall into this trap today.
For example, an Olympic-level wrestler does not need to spend equal time on wrestling fundamentals as a boxer would need to spend on grappling. Recognizing this is a key step toward becoming a great MMA coach.
It takes humility and self-awareness to understand that an effective training schedule must be tailored to the individual athlete, not based on the coach’s past experience or assumptions. A coach who was once a fighter must be especially mindful that their students may not need to focus on the same areas they once did. Their time may be better spent developing other disciplines. This individualized approach also aligns with the evolving trends of the sport.
Evolution of Elite Teams
I trained full-time throughout my entire professional career at the world-renowned American Top Team (ATT). Like many academies during the first 15 years of MMA, ATT was initially built around a core discipline (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). It incorporated other areas primarily to complement or defend against them. We focused heavily on traditional Jiu-Jitsu because it was our “bread and butter.” However, with the integration of ground-and-pound and other aspects of MMA, we realized that this narrow focus was limiting our overall development as mixed martial artists.
Today, Jiu-Jitsu accounts for only about 15–20% of the team’s overall training, with a strong emphasis on drilling fundamentals in a way that translates directly to live MMA sparring. As a result, ATT has evolved from being a Jiu-Jitsu-based MMA gym into one of the most well-rounded teams in the world that produces elite fighters across all areas, including some of the best strikers in the sport. This evolution was mirrored by other elite teams that initially focused on wrestling, kickboxing, or judo.
This shift occurred because MMA coaches took the time to recognize deficiencies, identify weaknesses, and bring in specialized coaches to strengthen areas of need within the team. It is no different from a defensive-minded football coach hiring a respected offensive coordinator to ensure players receive the focused, well-rounded training they need to perform effectively.
As this coaching philosophy takes root, its benefits extend throughout the program. It allows athletes to grow with their own identity while developing complementary skills to round out their game.
Building Coach-Athlete Relationships
Recognizing the need for individualized programming is paramount to structured coaching and athlete development. A coach must initiate a working relationship with each athlete to determine the best course of action for program implementation. Before the fighter sets foot on the mats, the coach should discuss the athlete’s prior experience, areas of interest, and personal goals. Only after this dialogue should a training schedule be developed.
Once that foundation is established, a learning period begins, usually lasting about a week, during which the coach observes the athlete in training. Some coaches may take more time, depending on the situation. After this period, a second conversation occurs, focused on what the coach observed, where the athlete can improve, and how they can begin shaping their identity to achieve their goals.
It is common for athletes to disagree with the coach’s recommendations and seek training elsewhere, and that is perfectly okay. Both the coach and the athlete must be aligned and comfortable with the process. Ultimately, it’s better for everyone involved when there’s mutual understanding and buy-in.
Core Responsibilities for an MMA Coach
The most proven styles of martial arts form the foundation of modern MMA. A coach must refine these techniques for offensive use and to build defensive awareness in their athletes. Below are several disciplines listed on the UFC’s website, all of which are showcased at world-class events:
Striking: Boxing, Kickboxing, Karate
Grappling: Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo
MMA-Exclusive (found primarily in MMA): Ground and Pound, Cage Wrestling
Note: Clinch work is often recognized as an “MMA move,” but it is also present in various forms of kickboxing and all grappling styles.
Each technique is allocated specific training time according to the overall schedule and is integrated into live training or sparring as appropriate. When a competition is scheduled against an opponent with strengths in certain areas, the training schedule is adjusted to address this new challenge. For example, situational training is tailored to scenarios the fighter may encounter, which is then incorporated into sparring sessions. This approach is comparable to a baseball player taking regular batting practice but modifying sessions when preparing to face a pitcher known for a strong breaking ball.
Strength & Conditioning and Nutrition
Over the past decade, MMA coaches have become increasingly educated on the importance of nutrition and strength and conditioning. It is no secret that combat sport athletes often need to cut significant amounts of weight before a fight, which is a process that can determine the outcome before stepping into the cage. The outdated philosophy was to compete in the lowest weight class possible, with no structured guidance on how to get there, often relying on dangerous methods like running in garbage bags or excessive sauna use. Not only is this ineffective, but it is also extremely hazardous. Coaches are big on nutrition upon entering training because if a fighter wants to have maximum output, nutrition matters greatly.
With proper nutrition, fighters no longer need to stress about which weight class to compete in; their bodies will naturally indicate where they are healthiest and most effective. This approach improves performance on fight night and enhances overall training output and long-term well-being.
Strength and conditioning was initially met with hesitation by some MMA coaches, who feared it might detract from technical training. However, it has become clear that it significantly benefits the athlete when used to supplement rather than replace skill work. Coaches have learned that its primary function is to increase strength or speed and prevent injury. As in other sports, MMA fighters are prone to overusing certain parts of the body. Conditioning strengthens supporting muscle groups and promotes balance, extending a fighter’s career and optimizing performance. Today, it is common for fighters to include strength and conditioning sessions up to three times per week, occasionally even substituting them for sparring to manage fatigue and recovery.
Training Periodization and Offseason Development
All three facets of training—technical, nutritional, and strength and conditioning—vary in volume and intensity depending on where an athlete is in their competition schedule. Periodization is a critical component of MMA coaching. Fighters typically undergo a fight camp lasting 6 to 10 weeks, followed by a recovery period of 1 to 2 weeks. The time between camps is critical for skill development, and it’s when coaches can help athletes refine their craft without the pressure of an upcoming bout.
Periodization and offseason development are where MMA coaching significantly differs from coaching in other sports. Unlike team sports with defined seasons and schedules, MMA lacks a true offseason. A fighter’s "offseason" depends entirely on how well they recovered from their most recent fight. Recovery periods can range from a few days to several months. When fighters return to the gym, they must be gradually reintroduced to a demanding training schedule.
During this period, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and tactical development in areas of weakness or strategic focus are crucial. The goal is to integrate high-intensity training smoothly once fight camp resumes. A coach who only trains fighters during camp sets themselves and their athletes up for a difficult task. Consistent development between fights is what separates good preparation from great performance.
In-Fight Coaching
Once the foundation for success is laid through proper preparation, shifting the focus to game-time coaching is important. A fighter looks at their coach not only for direction but also for confidence during quick decision-making moments. This is why coaches must build a strong rapport with their fighters. There is no time for second-guessing each other during a fight, just as there is no room for uncertainty when adjusting in the heat of the moment. The more an athlete trusts their coach, the harder they will push and the more composed they will remain in difficult situations. They know their coach will not put them in a situation they cannot handle and will be more receptive to direction as a result.
On fight night, the coach is responsible for ensuring the fighter is properly warmed up and able to perceive what they might miss in the fight. A good coach can read the body language of both their fighter and the opponent, and assess how well fundamentals are being applied.
Fight Night Priorities:
- Priority #1: Fighter safety. Although it's listed last here for emphasis, it remains the top priority, from the walkout to the return to the locker room.
- Priority #2: Is my fighter confidently in their stance and demonstrating proper movement?
- Priority #3: Is the opponent revealing any “tells” or attempting to bait us into something?
- Priority #4: Is my fighter following and executing the game plan?
- Priority #5: What adjustments must be made if my fighter is underperforming or losing? Can it wait until the corner break, or must we communicate immediately?
Fighter safety is always the number one priority. However, placing it first on a tactical checklist would understate its overarching importance. A coach must constantly monitor safety throughout the event. This includes evaluating body language after heavy exchanges or identifying signs of injury, such as cuts or compromised movement. Sometimes, it is up to the coach to protect the fighter from themselves and make the difficult decision to stop a fight if the athlete can no longer defend intelligently or continue safely.
Team Culture and Long-Term Success
Even though MMA is an individual competition, it is still very much a team sport. As mentioned, fighters must train together in a symbiotic relationship, benefiting from each other's styles and experiences. But their coach often keeps them showing up, pushing them, and ensuring they enjoy the training grind.
Team culture can make or break a unit, just as in all sports and businesses. The first step in creating a positive team culture as a coach is proving your commitment to your fighters. A fighter shouldn’t have to prove themselves to earn the coach’s trust; it is the reverse. When a team senses genuine commitment from its leader, it responds in kind. They train harder, perform better, and show greater respect for the process and their peers. Coaches should never ask their athletes something they are unwilling to do themselves. They will see right through a lack of commitment. When they do, they will not respond.
Now that commitment has been established, the next step is keeping the team engaged. A team’s “buy-in” to a coach’s program is not permanent—it is rented and must be constantly earned.
Din Thomas, one of the most successful coaches in the sport, has trained multiple world champions. One of his standout methods includes incorporating objective-based live training sessions several times weekly. These sessions turn sparring into structured games that emphasize specific techniques while imposing certain restrictions to focus development.
For example, one game might be: Who can land more jabs to the body in two minutes? This encourages fighters to use their jab effectively, work level changes, and avoid head-hunting. Another example is: Who can get the most bear hugs? In this drill, fighters aren’t allowed to strike, forcing them to focus entirely on hand fighting in the clinch, off-balancing their opponents, and achieving dominant positioning by securing underhooks or body locks.
Another component of reinforcing proper team culture is highlighting athletes’ accomplishments to the team. Coaches should give them the pat on the back when they deserve it, not just for winning a big fight or pulling off a big move, but when they demonstrate proper use of a technique in training the team is working on. Give them the floor to tell their teammates how they are finding success. A great coach is humble enough to know the spotlight is not on them; it is their fighters who need it.
I spoke with Eric Nicksick from Xtreme Couture on Din Thomas’ FightCourt Podcast, and what stood out was how little he talked about what he does. His focus was entirely on what they do as a team. He consistently highlighted his fighters, praising their work ethic, commitment to teamwork, and the importance of collective success. Nicksick emphasized that when one fighter wins, the entire team wins, and he makes it a point to share that spotlight.
Coach Nicksick also acknowledged the teammates who support fighters during training camps, recognizing that a single victory results from many people’s efforts. This approach reinforces the belief that the time and energy invested under the coach’s system is paying off, not just for individuals, but for the team as a whole. It builds unity and trust, and helps everyone buy into the program.
Areas of Growth: Analytics and Open-Mindedness
Because mixed martial arts is still relatively young compared to other major sports, coaching in certain areas continues to evolve and remains underdeveloped in some cases. While many coaches and athletes have embraced strength and conditioning and proper nutrition to optimize performance and extend careers, there are other key areas where the sport is only beginning to scratch the surface.
One such area is analytics. The success of "Moneyball" in baseball opened the eyes of sports professionals across all disciplines to the power of data. MMA is no exception. Data analysis can identify patterns and tendencies for scouting opponents and improving fighter performance.
Unfortunately, a common concern in coaching circles is that there are too many uncontrolled variables in a fight to rely on numbers. Some view spreadsheets as a waste of time when preparing for a training camp. While that sentiment is understandable, the messaging around analytics may need to be reframed.
For example, I conducted a personal case study during my professional career. I recorded and analyzed my striking and grappling output for every round of every fight. The data revealed a consistent pattern: Round 2 was statistically my weakest round, while Round 1 was my strongest. I concluded that I was over-adjusting after winning the first round, which slowed my output and led to more losses in the second. This insight would have been beneficial during my career for mental preparation and strategic planning, and is precisely the kind of detail that can benefit both fighters and coaches.
Just as analytics have transformed American football and other sports, they have the potential to add significant value to MMA programs. By keeping an open mind and studying how other sports evolve, MMA can continue to grow, especially now that it is gaining mainstream popularity. Coaches who embrace innovation will be the ones to lead the next generation of elite fighters.
Summary
Mixed Martial Arts coaching is a fascinating study with plenty of potential for further development. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and practices of MMA coaching. It traces the sport’s origins from UFC 1 in 1993, highlighting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s influence on cross-training, to the current standards of athlete development, technical strategy, and team culture.
MMA coaching has evolved into a highly individualized discipline. Early coaching program models often relied on equal time distribution across martial arts styles, but today’s best coaches tailor training to the specific needs of each athlete. This includes adjusting schedules based on a fighter's background, goals, and observed performance. Coaches are encouraged to set ego aside, collaborate with specialists, and emphasize skill and athlete development between fight camps.
The report outlines the foundational disciplines in MMA—striking, grappling, and MMA-exclusive techniques like ground-and-pound—and explains the importance of integrating them into live training and opponent-specific preparation. It also highlights the critical role of strength and conditioning and nutrition in injury prevention, performance, and safe weight management.
Periodization is a key strategy in managing training loads around fight camps, and with no off-season, coaches must carefully manage rest and re-entry phases.
In-fight coaching is another focus, with coaches needing to read situations, make timely decisions, and maintain clear communication. Fighter safety is the top priority, followed by execution of the game plan and real-time adjustments.
Team culture is described as the glue that holds high-performing gyms together. Great coaches show commitment first and foster trust and accountability through consistent engagement, shared goals, and creative, game-based training. The insights of elite coaches like Din Thomas and Eric Nicksick underscore the value of humility, athlete recognition, and collective success.
As much growth as MMA coaches have had over the last 30 years, there is still room for improvement. Using analytics to supplement training routines and game planning would benefit any program, and coaches should employ this with their teams. Keeping an open mind is not just about sport; coaching trends will add to the growth of their operation and the sport.
Effective MMA coaching is about creating a safe, supportive, and purpose-driven environment that empowers athletes to evolve, compete, and thrive as complete martial artists.
References
Ultimate Fighting Championship. (n.d.). Introduction to MMA. UFC. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://www.ufc.com/intro-to-mma
FightCourt. (2023, August 15). Eric Nicksick on building team culture at Xtreme Couture [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vidIeH54YtU