Training ideologies need to change.

With all the trash talk and bravado demonstrated between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, all signs were pointing to a truly epic main event at UFC on Fox 19. Then Ferguson had to go right ahead and get injured. It was already bad enough that Daniel Cormier had to pull from his UFC 197 main event against Jon Jones, now it seems UFC on Fox 19 has suffered the same fate. Ferguson’s injury scraps what was to be one of the biggest and perhaps most exciting grudge matches of the year. Though the stakes weren’t as high as with the Jon Jones/Daniel Cormier championship showdown, the Nurmagomedov vs Ferguson fight was to decide who would get the next crack at the Lightweight title. Both men talked enough trash in person and on social media to entice anyone who was paying attention. It makes Ferguson’s withdrawal all the more disappointing. But both Ferguson and Cormier’s recent withdrawals bring up a point that is constantly discussed about. Why does MMA training result in so many injuries? When you look at comparable combat sport like boxing there aren’t near as many injury withdrawals. The major difference between the two is that with boxing you’re only training one aspect of combat, while with MMA you’re training several. But despite that, boxers avoid injuries by training in a smart, calculated manner. You have to consider what kind of training these mixed martial artists are putting themselves through. There’s this notion that the only way to get prepared for a bout you must put yourself through hell, tax yourself both physically and mentally. Though that may be true to an extent, there are diminishing returns, something which Daniel Cormier and Tony Ferguson are having to deal with. Slugging in the gym or grappling to rip your training partner apart may have some merits in that it simulates live combat. But it does no favors on yours or your partner’s health. Fighters like Ben Henderson, Frankie Edgar, Conor Mcgregor, Lyoto Machida and Donald Cerrone have never had to withdraw from a bout and I have to think it’s because they train hard but do so smartly. Your punches don’t have to be full force, your wrestling and grappling can flow. There’s no reason to wreck your body before you even get into the cage. In the fight game your body is your most valuable commodity and if you want to last long in this sport then you’re going to have to find a way to prevent yourself from getting injured needlessly. With Tony Ferguson’s injury, who should Khabib Nurmagomedov fight? Follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Also, be sure to share, like, and comment to show your support.

Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.