Are you thinking of competing in MMA? – Here’s a comprehensive guide on costs, logistics, and preparation

Introduction

The popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has increased in recent years, becoming a global phenomenon from a niche sport despite being one of the most demanding combat sports due to its complexity and intensity. On the other hand, it’s also one of the simplest sports to step into as a newcomer and kickstart an open-ended journey. Possibilities are many, with the two most common enemies of success being mismanagement and poor preparation. Because behind the glamour of high-profile fights, there is a complex web of logistics to navigate for all players of the game, including fighters, promoters, and organizations.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about preparing for an MMA tournament. From managing your travel arrangements and registration, to understanding different game plans and types of competitions. We will walk you through the preparation process, including the rules and regulations of the sport, and covering tips for top tier mental and physical conditioning. We’ll also provide a rough calculation of the expenses and time commitments you can expect to invest into a competition attendance. So overall, this article will give your a clear picture of what it takes to succeed in MMA so you can make an informed decision how to proceed. You have already taken a big step by reading this article, so rest assured that the content will serve your fight career well.

Logistics

Registration and Licensing

Everyone who enters the cage needs to be registered and licensed by the appropriate athletic commission. Fees vary by state or country, but typically range from $50 to $500. In the US., it is the state athletic commission that licenses fighters, as well as managers and promoters. Application in most states requires a health history, physical exam record, fight record, trainer reference, and an MMA national ID card from the state of residence (might cost between $10 and $50 and valid for an average 5 years). Amateur applicants may also be required to create an online profile on the site of the MMA organization of the state. The forms are exhaustive and investigative, going into personal background, physical appearance, professional history, and references, comparable to the application of the armed forces, which may be uncomfortable for some.

In the US, fighters commonly also need to pay for medical examinations to obtain a clean bill of health, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on the required tests (e.g., blood tests or MRI scans). Larger promoters usually cover these costs for their fighters, but amateurs often have to pay out of their own pocket. The completed tests are usually valid for 1-3 years, with additional tests required for participants over 40 years of age. The assessments may include pre-fight physical tests, neurological tests, psychological evaluations, and drug tests. These can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the availability of medical facility, and as they are mandatory to compete, it is better not to leave them to the last minute.

In the UK, EU, and other regions, regulation is somewhat more flexible, and the pathways to join your first competition are less intrusive. Coaches usually can enrol their fighters directly into events with a club-issued membership/ID card. The general governing body is the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), which oversees amateur fighters in partnership with the largest promoters. Fighters must comply with the event’s rules, particularly those regarding the weight class system, fight rules, safety protocols, mandatory meetings, and pre-flight briefings. The required medical examinations are also set by the event host licencing the contest.

Competition Fees and Fight Record

In addition to licensing, competitors usually need to pay registration fees to enter the tournament which ranges from $50 for amateur tournaments to $200, going up to $500 at larger promotions. High-profile events like the UFC, PFL, OneFC or Bellator tend to cover these fees for their contracted fighters. However, if you’re competing within the regional circuits and independent promotions, you’ll likely need to pay these costs out of your pocket. Higher weight classes or divisions tend to have higher fees, and additional fees may be incurred as you move up the ladder.

Before being allowed to compete in professional events, fighters normally need to demonstrate a certain level of experience through a substantial fight record. The minimum number of amateur fights recommended before turning professional is typically around 5-10, but the exact requirements may vary depending on the organisation. Building a fighting record can take months or even years, depending on your training schedule and the available opportunities. Consequently, it is necessary to plan and build this aspect beforehand, and it often involves travelling around for opportunities that can provide the experience. You can look at tapology.com for upcoming fight opportunities and events.

• Estimated time: 3-18 months
• Estimated cost: $250-$5,000

MMA competition events in 2025

Travel and Accommodation

A significant logistical challenge, especially when competing abroad, is the cost and organisation of the trip. Including flight tickets, meals, local gym fees, accommodation costs, and rental cars for several days to have enough time before and after the event. The costs you might expect to pay can be anywhere between $50 to $300 per night in most western countries, so the accommodation costs tend to add up quickly, especially if you need to bring along some training partners and your coaching team. For cost-saving, you can consider staying in shared accommodations with teammates or coaches which can save a lot on lodging expenses.

Travel expenses can vary depending on the location and distance of the event. While within the UK and EU, the cost of a domestic travel can stay under £100 due to the driving distances, in the US, larger distances mean even domestic travel can ranges from $200 to $1,500 per tournament. Travel costs for international events can go even higher, ranging from an average of $500 to well over $2,000. Promoters tend to cover travel costs for their fighters, however, amateurs and lower-tier fighters commonly need to arrange these themselves.

Travelling for events can take up a significant amount of time if all added together from travel days, pre-fight weigh-ins, and promotional showups. You can expect to dedicate a minimum of 3-4 days for domestic events and up to two weeks for international competitions.

• Estimated time: 3-14 days
• Estimated cost: $200-$6,000

Game Strategy for Different Types of Competitions

The strategy for an MMA competition would be different based on the event type, format of the competition, and the ruleset in place. Your performance and success can be greatly impacted by the subtleties of various MMA competitions. Not every format will suit every fighter. You’d need to be mindful when investing in your skill development, as some skills simply don’t thrive in certain tournament structures.

Amateur Tournaments

Amateur MMA is often the first step on the ladder, in many cases it is a necessary first step, as most professional enrolment requires amateur fight history. It provides a great opportunity to develop skills without the pressure of a high-stakes professional event. The rules vary depending on the organisation, with the standard rules set by IMMAF. The bouts are generally shorter, often containing just two or three rounds. All amateur bouts will consist of rounds no longer than 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest period in between each round. They typically employ different safety regulation standards, including the use of headgear and shin guards to prevent fractures. To ensure safety, certain organisations may have strict rules regarding striking and grappling moves as well. Grappling exchanges, including submission attempts, tend to carry a lot of weight, though, and are highly valued when scoring.

In addition to the 10-point must system commonly used in professional MMA, amateur MMA frequently employs a modified scoring system or simpler scoring. With the shorter rounds, racking up points is quite difficult, so fighters tend to compensate with more aggressive approach. It’s best to find a balance between aggression and efficiency, as excessive force could result in penalties or disqualification. Using points-scoring techniques such as landing clean strikes and maintaining solid positioning can make a huge difference.

The bracket system used in amateur events requires one to progress through multiple rounds within their weight bracket quickly without being familiar with the opponents. Versatility is crucial in bracket-style tournaments because you cannot prepare for specific opponents. They are often very fast-paced, too and take place over a single day or weekend, making it important to develop the ability to manage energy. This set up tends to lead to focusing on quick finishes to avoid burnout before the next rounds, commonly seeking to get early takedowns and submission.

Amateur events typically reward fighters with medals, trophies, and recognition rather than monetary rewards. The focus is on skill development and gaining experience, so the financial balance of competing in the amateur league is commonly negative at the beginning.

Professional Events

Professional MMA events tend to follow a traditional single-fight format for each event, as opposed to the amateur tournament style where fighters compete in multiple matches in a single event. Professional fighters compete for titles, recognition, and often, substantial paychecks and sponsorship deals, making a living from their competition results. For exceptional displays of skill or finishing fights early, performance bonuses may also be given, such as ‘Performance of the Night’ or ‘Fight of the Night’.

The number of rounds in professional MMA boats is usually three or five, depending on the event. Non-title fights typically 3 three rounds that last 5 minutes each. In title fights or main event bouts, there are 5 rounds that last 5 minutes each. There is a 1 minute rest period for each fighter, similar to amateur events. But since these are longer rounds than in amateur settings, fighters need to adopt a more methodical approach.

The Unified Rules of MMA are typically adhered to in professional MMA, where judges score fights using a 10-point must system inherited from Boxing, The winner of the round is given 10 points, the loser gets 9 points, in case of even rounds both fighters score 10 points. Effective striking, grappling, control, and aggression are among the factors considered. Winning on points is essential, but fighters also aim to finish fights via knockout or submission, so strong foundations in grappling contribute to success substantially. While in MMA, there are many martial arts disciplines that come into play, you’ll typically find that most fighters have a background in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Boxing.

In case of high-stakes fights, fighters often spend weeks or months in training camps to prepare for a single opponent, analysing and strategising for their strengths and weaknesses. At this level, game plans are a science, and the top fighter has a team of specialised competition coaches and fighters behind them. In general, the goal is to keep the dynamics of the fight closer to your own strongest discipline:

Against Strikers: If you’re facing a striker with a background in Boxing or Kickboxing, your primary strategy likely would involve closing the distance to prevent them from taking leverage. You would prioritise engaging in clinch work, securing takedowns, and apply full body control.

Against Grapplers: When facing a grappler, it becomes important to keep the fight on the feet so you would focus on your takedown defence and keep your ability to strike from a distance. It’s also necessary to have a strong escape against submission techniques.

Well-Rounded Fighters: When up against a well-rounded fighter, your strategy should be as balanced as you can make it to be able play your strengths and swing the pendulum of the fight to your direction when the right moment comes.

Physical Preparation for MMA

Physical preparation is commonly believed to be the most significant part of preparing for MMA tournaments, but it’s not the whole picture. In fact, the common overemphasis on physical preparation leaves many fighters with a relatively one-sided preparation strategy. The training routine of regular competitors typically keeps their bodies in a condition that only requires refinement, not complete refurbishment. Only when training and competing randomly, physical preparation becomes the most important aspect due to skill deterioration.

While most advice on preparation suggests that competing and training requires entirely different bodies, in reality, it requires an entirely different brain. Since the main difference between regular sparring and a tournament fight is the mental condition, and the consequent physiological changes, that the event puts the fighters in. Making physical preparation accounting for only about 25% of an effective competition preparation strategy. We’ll cover that in the next section, but first take a look at what needs to be done on the body.

As mentioned, due to the training background required for competition, physical preparation is more of a performance enhancement than a body rebuild. Competition comes with higher intensity and lower inhibition in behaviour, requiring stamina that can last for the average 15-20 minute, and a built that can buffer the impacts and the increased pressure on the joints and tissues.

Strength and Conditioning

It’s essential for MMA fighters to have a well-planned strength and conditioning program because competitions often push them to their absolute limits. The aim of these programs is to build muscle, strengthen the core, improve endurance, and enhance overall athletic performance. Techniques such as weightlifting, plyometrics, and functional training are commonly employed to develop the physical attributes necessary for success in the cage. Advice is many, but their reliability varies. Choose your resources carefully because dangerous trends can spread quickly and stick for long. For your reference, we have added links to a few evidence-based programs below.

Strength and conditioning considerations for Mixed Martial Arts

Evidence based guideline for strength and conditioning in Mixed Martial Arts

Strength and Conditioning for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

The principles of body mechanics and their significance in grappling arts

If you work on your routine on your own, you could keep the expenses around $30-$150 per month for a gym and other facility access, depending on the location. Additional materials on the topic such as books, online plans, membership sites etc. can be accessed for around $10-$100 to help you with the strategy. If you hire help creating a structured program, you’ll likely pay an extra $50-$150 per session for a specialized trainer. A comprehensive conditioning training plan could take up to 4-8 weeks and involve an average 3-4 sessions every week, each lasting around of 1.5-3 hours. Due to the specifics of both MMA and competition, you would need to look for industry experts who are well-versed in the physical requirements of the game and know how different body types respond to different training methods.

Many fighters participate in MMA-specific training camps in the months before a fight. The focus of these camps is on intensive daily training sessions that address all aspects of MMA preparation. Controversial topic, however, because the service delivered by these camps often falls way behind expectations. The lack of personalisation and the inadequate support can deplete fighters instead of energise them for the upcoming event. Make sure to thoroughly investigate the camp’s reputation to avoid leaving in a worse condition than when you arrived.

• Estimated time: 4-8 weeks
• Estimated cost: $40-$5,000

Diet and Nutrition

Creating meal plans that optimise energy levels, promote recovery, and maintain weight is often done by nutritionists rather than the fighters themselves, especially when stakes go higher, because the performance is significantly impacted by the diet. A balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals is essential. The body is built from the intake of nutrition. If any nutrition is missing from the organs to operate properly, it’s not just the performance that suffers, but also the health.

Setting up a diet optimised for the temporary increased use of the body requires a good understanding of the metabolic needs. Professional advice here is strongly recommended over Google search. A dietitian may charge somewhere between $50-$150 per consultation, but you can access official research papers discussing combat sport nutrition needs as well. For most fighters, a healthy and budgeted meal can cost from $300 to $600 or more in a single month due to specialised supplements and diet ingredients. If you opt to employ a personal chef to assist in meal preparation, that adds to the expenses as well.

• Estimated time: 4-8 weeks
• Estimated cost: $300-$2,000

Weight Cutting

Many MMA fighters take the risk of cutting weight before a competition to qualify for a fight or move to a more advantageous bracket. This often involves reducing caloric intake, manipulating water weight, and increasing cardio. However, keeping the body in deficit before putting under extreme pressure can be a risky move. Water weight cutting is a particularly dangerous game. Water is the main component of every organ and the core vehicle in cell communication. It is absolutely essential to keep the transmitters, electrolytes, and nutrients accessible. As a result, dehydration can lead to death by organ failure much more quickly than most people think.

Losing the ability to fight effectively due to a miscalculated weight cut is a common phenomenon at amateur level. A closely monitored strategic plan is necessary to avoid making your body weaker or fatally damaged before a fight. If you consider venturing into weight cut, work with a dietitian or nutritionist to set up the plan and monitor the changes. We can’t stress enough that the body cannot function properly if essential nutrients or water are missing, let alone if they’re missing for days or weeks.

Recovery

Recovery is an essential aspect of training because micro-injuries and muscle tears are pretty common and can come back to bite you in the ass during competition. Injuries also have the tendency to alter one’s biomechanics, as they usually lead to unconscious avoidance of using the body part involved. When asymmetry develops in the body, it often leads to a snowballing effect which causes a series of recurring injuries. Consulting a physiotherapist can cost from $50-$200 per session, but it’s recommended to invest into it in order to ensure the body alignment is back on track after any injury.

In addition, techniques like cryotherapy, massage therapy, and active recovery sessions can aid in restoring and reducing the risk of injury. These services can also cost between $50 and $200 per session depending on the seniority level of the practitioners. Supplements, such as proteins, creatine, and vitamins targeting joint and muscle recovery, as well as immune support, are also often added to the diet, increasing the cost by 20$ – $300 or even way above.

• Estimated time: 1-8 weeks
• Estimated cost: $70-$1,800

Gear and Equipment

Having the right gear is essential for your training and compliance with the safety regulations of the competition. To ensure proper fit and comfort, it’s recommended to get your set at least 4-6 weeks before the fight. You can find below a cost breakdown of the most important equipment you likely will need.

Mental and Emotional Preparation for MMA

Competing in MMA is a mental game to the highest degree. Mental preparation accounts for approximately 75% of a successful competition preparation strategy. The noise and stress of the event can eat you alive, and mixed with excitement, the emotional condition can make your metabolic routes overwork for days or even weeks before the event, making you exhausted way ahead of time.

A strong mental preparation strategy is invaluable, making the difference between victory and defeat in the cage. As we explore in The Brain and Combat series, due to the changes that occur as a result of your mental condition, you may win or lose a round before the fight has even started. You can find below a list of the major psychological components (by couns. Ydus, 2024) that together make up the mental condition that you need to tackle to have a sustainable career in MMA.

The above chapters will give you a strong, strategic foundation that changes your game for good. Working with a competition coach can provide even more tailored strategies for mental preparation. Sessions may range from $70 to $300 per hour, with packages often available for different competition goals and personal circumstances. A typical commitment might involve 4-10 sessions, spreading over a couple of weeks.

• Estimated time: 1-8 weeks
• Estimated cost: $300-$3,000

Overall Costs and Time Consumption

As you can see by now, preparing for an MMA competition requires a significant investment of both time and money. Let’s look at the breakdown of the total costs and time commitment that we’ve gone over during the course of this guide. The majority of fighters spend in the displayed interval, but custom circumstances have a major impact on the overall spending. Nonetheless, from the below table, you can get an idea of what to expect when entering the world of MMA competition and what components to account for.

The math shows that the cost is significant in both effort and money. Therefore, the most important question is: What do you want to gain from competing? Check if your ideas and motivation are in line with the investment requirements. Are you doing it for self-development and personal achievement? If so, cutting costs and balancing your personal life will be the most important tasks. Are you doing it to change the course of your life and climb the ranks in MMA? Then the main task would be to find a way to ensure that the money and time are available, and gather support that helps you through the first few years of amateur life until the journey becomes profitable. We hope this summary helps you get to where you want to be. Best of luck on your journey!

MMA competition events in 2025