T.J.'s News - Bob's Corner

Anyone with a keen eye for spotting the talent required of a Mixed Martial Arts Competitor will soon gain great respect for the hard work and time spent in preparation for even a rudimentary effort. To gain some semblance of success and satisfaction in this highly technical sport, the number of skills either standing, or on the ground, are vast and almost endless.

To say an individual could spend years evolving, learning, polishing and preparing, would not be embellishing or overstating the fact, by a long shot.

After many years as a strength coach, it became clear to me that a technically well trained fighter could easily dominate a stronger individual with lesser technical skills. I particularly noticed this among the Amateur ranks. But...with that said, my conversations with a number of fighters, along with overhearing statements from others in the game, my overall observations lead me to believe we are seeing too many fighters discounting strength training or minimizing it's importance in the big picture, so to speak. While technical skills may win out in the beginning, eventually a fighter is going to be matched with someone equal in the arts and their applications, but far superior in overall strength. So the point of this observation might lead a few young fighters to a career of longevity and more satisfying accomplishment, not to mention less injury.

Never discount strength when it comes to the battle of two human beings in the cage.Build overall physical strength along with the technical skills and you'll reap the rewards.

- Bob Shaefer