Hard decisions for young fighters to make!

Hard Decisions for Young Fighters: Navigating the Path to Success

What's up, guys? If you're stepping into the world of MMA, you already know it's not just about throwing punches in the ring. It's about technique, strategy, and, most importantly, the people guiding you along the way. Young fighters today face a beast that wasn't as fierce in the past—shitty coaches. Even though there have always been mediocre coaches, the landscape has changed. More than ever, we have coaches who haven't been in the trenches themselves but have picked up tricks by watching Toporia, Holloway, St. Pierre, and other legends on YouTube.

The Issue with Experience

The thing is, you can't just understand the depth of technique from watching. True mastery comes with reps—repetitions that burn movements into muscle memory. Yet, many coaches haven't put in the work. They watch a few videos and think that makes them an expert. They haven't traveled, trained, or tested themselves in diverse conditions. This lack of experience leads to a very limited understanding of what truly works.

In today's scene, you'll find coaches who have never fought a day in their life outside maybe a couple of small local events each year. They're trying to pass off YouTube knowledge as gospel. But without having been in the fight, their understanding is superficial at best. It's like trying to become a chef by watching cooking shows without stepping into a kitchen.

The Evolution of a Coach

I remember a coach I had—good skills, and I learned a lot from them initially. Eventually, I outgrew their style. They once told me they had new techniques to show me. But when one of my other coaches asked, "Where did he learn it?" I didn't have an answer. The truth was, he found them online.

Meanwhile, my jiu-jitsu coach, who was top-notch, had a different approach. When he wanted to learn something new, he would travel to Brazil, bring in experts, or train at renowned dojos. Experience and exposure made his teaching authentic and effective.

"An experienced person can watch, can learn moves, and they can show you—implement them in a real fight."

In my career, I've racked up about 60 amateur and pro fights across different martial arts. My path took me to wrestle with Iranian champions, earn a black belt in Olympic-point style karate, and travel all over—from Thailand to Holland—to absorb the best each style offered. Contrast that with someone who merely surfs the web and it's a world apart.

The Importance of Learning from Experience

Learning from experience isn't just advice—it's a way to ensure you're being taught correctly. A seasoned fighter can recognize and adapt techniques quickly, adventurous training everywhere from regional gyms to international hotspots. But a coach without this background? They can't teach the finer points. They can't know which tweak in a technique will make or break its success in a match.

Let's break this down. Picture a boxing technique—keeping your hand up, turning it correctly, pivoting the foot. These might seem simple, but a coach unfamiliar with the grind won't have the depth. Similarly, jiu-jitsu isn't just moves but understanding the nuance—a tap of the foot, the angle of leverage.

Delving into Technique Details

Without a seasoned coach, you risk missing critical steps. They might show you a flashy move but lack the insight into details—the replications, the live sparring, all those little practice runs that embed the technique. Missteps in training create gaps. A misjudged punch leaves your guard down. A badly executed submission leaves you vulnerable.

Coaches who watch but don’t engage miss crucial pairings of coordination and strategy. Countless young fighters fall into these traps, adopting flashy but hollow moves. As a result, they're often defeated not by their opponent's skill but by their coach’s inexperience.

Technique Versus Coaching

Here's the bitter truth. High-level fighting requires more than physical gifts. You could cite Gaethje’s success with Whitman—**a rare exception where coaching finesse melded with a fighter’s innate prowess**. Gaethje thrived because of his foundation in Division 1 athletics, complementing Whitman's unique strategic vision.

Too often, you'll hear of gym heroes, guys who thrive on the mat in drills, who falter under real pressure. They lack the precision taught by coaches with genuine experience. Because while a coach can give you the time and place to train, actual proficiency in technique can't be self-taught. That requires a certain depth of game knowledge—knowing your moves inside out.

Athlete Versus Coach

However, let's not be mistaken. At higher echelons, it's always more about the fighter than the coach. A phenomenal athlete can make a mediocre coach appear excellent. But when push comes to shove, when faced with high-level competitors, technique trumps talent.

"I remember Brock Lesnar famously saying, 'You can't turn chicken s\*\*\* into chicken salad,' and it's so true."

The best athletes require even better guidance to refine their skills continually. Talented fighters fall into short-lived careers without a solid technical foundation. I've observed countless athletes push the ceiling only to plateau because their coaching didn’t prepare them for the demands of the highest levels.

Conclusion

It's tough out there for aspiring fighters today. The overflow of information—and misinformation—makes discerning what's real difficult. It's essential to choose coaches with proven fight records and tangible experience. While exceptions always spark debate, the athletes who last have coaches who prepare them with precision.

My advice? **Don't settle for less than a coach with hands-on experience, someone with fight records or fat professional portfolios.** If you're heading down the MMA path, your trainer shouldn't just be someone who knows the moves. They must have lived, breathed, and bled through the circuits you're aiming to cross.

Ultimately, each step enhances and secures your fighting craft, no matter what challenges you face. So before jumping into any affiliation based on name or hype, dive into their fighting history. Ensure they're battle-tested and ready to train you, not just the flashy contender impressing crowds.

Stay sharp, train wisely, and keep pushing. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next big name we're all scouting for techniques and lessons.

Interested in finding the right gym or coach for you? Consider checking my book "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor." It's an invaluable asset for any martial arts newcomer.