Advice for starting my mma career
Hey everyone,
I’m 19 and I’m getting ready to start my amateur MMA career. I’ve been lurking here for a while and figured I’d ask people who’ve already been through it: what do you wish you knew before your first fight?
A little about me:
Wrestling has been my main sport my whole life. I’ve wrestled since I was 4 years old in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco, and I currently wrestle in college at 125 lbs.
I have a background in track (400m, 800m, 1500m, and steeplechase), so cardio has always been one of my biggest strengths.
I’m a 3rd-degree black belt in Kyokushin Karate.
I’ve recently started training Muay Thai, BJJ, and Luta Livre to round out my game for MMA.
I’m a southpaw and naturally like to pressure, mix boxing with low kicks, wrestle off the clinch, and look for submissions like the D’Arce and anaconda once the fight hits the ground.
I’ve officially been added to the roster for First Rule MMA and am currently 0-0. I’m hoping to get my first amateur fight soon. My long-term goal is to build a solid amateur career, and see how far I can take it.
Right now I’m trying to learn everything I can before that first walkout.
Any gear, recovery, or training tips that made a big difference for you?
I’m open to hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’d rather learn from people who’ve already made the mistakes than make all of them myself.
Thanks in advance—I appreciate any advice.