Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the most popular and fastest-growing sports in the world. The reason why this sport is very popular is that it is thrilling and unpredictable.
It is one of the few types of sports where the underdog has a fair chance of winning.
So, how long does it really take to become a Pro MMA fighter?
There is no exact amount of time it takes to become a Pro MMA fighter. This is because each person’s aptitude varies. Some MMA fighters take a shorter time to become Pro fighters while others take a longer time.
Those who progress faster to the pro level usually possess these three special attributes
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1. They have a base in another martial art
Having an experience or base in another martial art like wrestling, BJJ, or Muay Thai can help you become a Pro MMA fighter faster, especially if you are skilled at it.
It takes between 4 – 5 years to learn a certain martial art. Those with a base in certain martial arts and who are good at it usually progress faster to become Pro MMA fighters.
2. They have great athletic ability
Another factor that plays a huge role in determining how fast you become a pro-MMA fighter is your overall athletic ability.
MMA requires a high level of flexibility around the hip and knee joints. It also requires a lot of strength.
Having great athletic ability means you will always find ways to outshine your competitors in big matches that matter and that will enable you to progress to a professional fighter much quicker.
3. They are talented
Talent is not something that you learn, it’s in-born. Some MMA fighters are just talented right from the onset.
Talented MMA fighters often excel in their fights and usually attain Pro status much more quickly.
That said, if you are starting from ground zero (you don’t have previous experience in martial arts), it will take you between 5 and 8 years to become a Pro MMA fighter if you are consistent with your training.
On the other hand, fighters who have a base in other martial arts and those who are talented or have great athletic ability usually take between 2-4 years to become Pro MMA fighters.
MMA is a sport that comprises different martial arts including kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, BJJ, and much more.
If you want to become a Pro MMA fighter, you need to be skilled in at least 3 martial arts. Let’s say you choose BJJ, Muay Thai, and wrestling for your MMA journey.
To become a Pro MMA fighter, you need at least a purple belt in BJJ which takes about four years to get.
On the other hand, it takes about 18 months to be good at wrestling and between 2 and 3 years to be good at Muay Thai.
If you are training for BJJ, wrestling, and Muay Thai at least three times a week, it will take you between 5 and 8 years to become a Pro MMA fighter.
The road to becoming a Pro MMA fighter is not smooth and easy as many people think. It is a difficult road that requires a lot of strength, dedication, determination, and training.
Most people are usually stuck in the competent amateur fighter category because it is very hard to become a Pro MMA fighter.
So, if you are planning to become a Pro MMA fighter and you don’t have previous experience in martial arts, know that it can take you up to 8 years of hard training.
At what age do MMA fighters go pro?
Most MMA fighters go pro at the age of 25 and 30 years. It takes years of hard work to become a pro-MMA fighter.
You have to sharpen your skills and win crucial matches to become a pro fighter and that usually takes time.
The majority of people who start training at 18 years old usually go pro when they are between 25 and 30 years, with some taking even longer.
How does an MMA fighter become a pro?
To become a Pro MMA fighter, you need to go through a progression of mindset, skill, and experience.
All players start by learning the basics of MMA fighting. They then progress to amateur fighters and finally enter the professional ranks.
To become a pro-MMA fighter, you need to have excellent skills in stand-up fighting like Muay Thai or boxing and ground fighting like wrestling or BJJ.
You also need to win a few belts, be mentally tough, and have experience in martial arts. In other words, to become a pro-MMA fighter, you need to prove that you have what it takes to fight on big podiums and that means winning some big matches.
How long does it take to progress in MMA?
How long it takes to progress from one level to another depends on many factors, including your dedication and hard work.
Some people take a shorter time to progress while others take a bit longer to progress to another level.
If you are consistent with your training, it will take you 2-3 years to progress from amateur to professional level.
Final thoughts
Becoming a pro-MMA fighter is not a walk in the park, it takes years of training to build your strength and perfect your skill.
How long it takes to become a pro-MMA fighter depends on a lot of things including your talent, training, ethics, and of course luck.
Sometimes your talent and skill alone may not get you to your desired destination, you need a bit of luck.
If you want to become a professional fighter, you need to train hard to learn different fighting styles and sharpen your skills. All these can take you up to 8 years to perfect.
