Become Fighter
Fight week, nerves and corner talk: MMA guide
Keep the week simple: sleep, routine, a warm-up that works and a corner that gives you one clear message.
Fight week is for keeping what you have built. Training volume goes down, sleep goes up, and the routine becomes familiar. New techniques and hard rounds do not help in the last week.
Nerves are normal. The goal is not to remove them but to give them a job: breathing, warm-up and a clear plan turn adrenaline into focus.
Key points
- Sleep first. Aim for seven to nine hours each night and keep the same schedule.
- Eat and drink normally with plenty of water. Do not experiment with new food or supplements. Never cut weight by dehydration. Work with your coach and a doctor on weight.
- Train light and sharp: short technical rounds, pads, and your warm-up routine.
- Warm-up on the day: easy movement, mobility, a few light combinations and some shots, finishing with a small sweat before you walk out.
- Corner talk: one clear instruction per break. Your corner tells you what to do, not what you did wrong. You answer with a word or a nod.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Cramming training in the last week. Trust the camp. Taper and rest.
- Trying new things. Stick to food, drink and techniques you know.
- Hiding nerves. Name them to your coach. A shared nerve is easier to manage.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Fight IQ module of MMA foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Fight IQ
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.