Why do fighters gas without explanation?

[My Fight Money]

This may not make sense to me, but maybe it will to some of you out there. I have watched many fights, boxing, UFC, and MMA in general. But what I want to know is why... DO FIGHTERS ALWAYS GAS?

I mean, it seems that fighters should be able to make it 15 minutes relatively easy. I run a mile without really sweating at all, and in 6 minutes to boot. I just don't know or understand the factors put into conditioning for a fight, that can make someone gas so easily.

can someone explain this to me please?

[stewy37]

Do you train? That will answer your question.

There's a lot more to conditioning than running. Aerobic and anaerobic endurance, strength endurance, etc.

Also add in the fact that as you take famage your cardio will suffer as well, especially if you eat body shots.

[chia]

Originally Posted by My Fight Money

This may not make sense to me, but maybe it will to some of you out there. I have watched many fights, boxing, UFC, and MMA in general. But what I want to know is why... DO FIGHTERS ALWAYS GAS?

I mean, it seems that fighters should be able to make it 15 minutes relatively easy. I run a mile without really sweating at all, and in 6 minutes to boot. I just don't know or understand the factors put into conditioning for a fight, that can make someone gas so easily.

can someone explain this to me please?

Haha, what? 15 minutes of a fight are TOUGH. Have you ever wrestled or sparred? It is very different from running. A marathon champion would be unable to keep up with a good wrestler.

Fighting requires many different levels of conditioning. It is all very unpredictable and unanticipated. There is no rhythm as in running or swimming or cycling and at times you may need to use strength and power which require different energy systems from running a mile (both aerobic and anerobic systems). Not to mention you have to worry about getting knocked out which usually takes priority over conserving energy. Finally there is a component of adrenaline which will sap your gas quickly if you can't control it. Just as with skill training, MMA conditioning requires balancing many different factors which makes cross training very important.

Overall the level of conditioning in MMA is probably not up to par with that of a good pro boxer or Olympic level wrestlers, and my guess is that it's largely due to 1) more ways to finish a fight, leading to often faster finishes (not to mention much shorter fights than boxing) and 2) more ways to conserve energy in MMA such as in the guard position; in the past when competition was not as high and skill sets were more varied, a good fighter could rely on one strength (ie. quick submission or quick KO) so conditioning may not have been as important. Whereas now, skill sets are more similar and many more fights go the distance, and as skill equalizes, strength and conditioning become more important determining factors.

[Rocked]

I have hour 45 minute half marathon cardio, and for me doing 8 rounds of kickboxing on the heavy bag is a completely different animal and is a struggle for me. Also its two completely different systems of cardio, and you have to train them differently.

[Gary Peters]

Taking a jog and fighting for your life vs a resisting opponent are two very different animals. Jogging is really just a tool to lower/maintain your resting heart rate, one of the many factors that contribute to a well conditioned fighter.