age vs progress

[ocuana]

I know that there are many a "mature" fighter, knocking out success passed to 40 year period but would I be right in saying that these people are there because they happened to have progressed with the sport, catching a lot of it in it's infancy and developing as the sport has evolved?

Is it getting harder for say, a 30 year old excellent striker with basic grappling skills to get into the pro ranks?

And will it in five or ten years be unrealistic for a fighter to try and enter MMA at an older age?

I ask because at 26, I know I have a chance but I know several people who are a few years older than I, wanting to get accross to MMA but I don't know if it's worth them "Pursuing the dream". When I say that, I mean taking part on a pro level and having some (at least 50 percent) success.

Does this make sense or is it a pointless thread?

I want to hear from the older fighters, or people passing the 30 mark as to what lies ahead for the mature fighter.

[DianeB]

Is it getting harder for say, a 30 year old excellent striker with basic grappling skills to get into the pro ranks?

I'd say that not being an all round fighter would be the downfall here, not age.

I'd say the fight plan & fight attitude is different for the mature fighter. This is based purely on my own experience though.

I ask because at 26, I know I have a chance but I know several people who are a few years older than I, wanting to get accross to MMA but I don't know if it's worth them "Pursuing the dream". When I say that, I mean taking part on a pro level and having some (at least 50 percent) success.

Only the person with the dream can say if it's worth chasing. If they THINK they are too old for it, then they are. Being 26 doesn't mean you stand a better chance, it just means you probably have more years to pursue it. it takes more than youth, to become a fighter.

[tony414]

iv just turned 27 and in the army really want to get into mma, any ideas how i start? my cardio is really good my boxing is ok . am i to old though??

[tony414]

anyone trained at next generation liverpool

[SawaPawa]

anyone trained at next generation liverpool

Yeah and it's a v good gym mate. V good instruction and u don't need to worry about n e 1 taking your head off.

[Nigel benn]

I boxed for a long time ,since the age of about 14 i have been lucky as i was introduced to loads of pro fighters by a mate who was a world champion at his weight so i got the oppotunity to spar with some top notch fighters ..i got into mma about 6 years ago and have rolled with some really good fighters ....ive now found that i cannot carry injuries like i used to when i was younger ..the body takes longer to heal...i train hard about two hours a day 6 days a week and my diet is very clean....I now help out a lot of guys with their stand up ...I think if you keep yourself in good shape you could fight at a good level till the age of about 35....by the way i am 40 years young ....

[Malcontent]

One thing I've always respected in regards to MMA is that it seems to be a lot less 'ageist' than boxing. I do hope that doesn't change.

More often than not what matters is the 'miles on the clock' rather than the number of years you've been on the planet.

[Fast but dim]

More often than not what matters is the 'miles on the clock' rather than the number of years you've been on the planet.

thats me fucked on both counts then.

[trappa]

thats me fucked on both counts then.

Got to laugh at that. I was thinking exactly the same!