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Conor Mcgregor sitting as he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in a match

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a sport that includes a variety of arts such as Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and many more. Each one has its specialties but, one thing they all have in common is the injuries and mental health issues that come from them.

Injuries occur frequently within training and during competitions. Injuries range from bruises and cuts, to as severe as fractures or broken bones. Many of the arts are strenuous on the body as training is usually difficult and competitors give it their all in matches. Any time that a competitor is injured, many don’t think about the mental toll that takes on the individual Many athletes dedicate their whole lives to the sport, including the nutrition levels they maintain, and their constant training from a young age. It’s a lifestyle that many people adopt and when they get taken away from it, it leaves a gap in their mind. They may feel empty or feel as if they don’t have any other reason to do anything.

Many don’t consider the mental health of athletes and it is frequently overlooked. This oversight can possibly lead MMA athletes to experience stress, anxiety, and even depression if they don’t receive the proper resources. Recognizing and acknowledging the needs of athletes is essential for improving their success in the sport.

Mixed Martial Arts is a way to take a break from life problems for many and a way to release any stress or anger. If taken away by injuries, they can resort to negative actions to take out all their stress. Depending on how severe the injury is, recovery may only take weeks or months. Unfortunately, more severe injuries would require expert medical attention such as broken bones, torn ligaments

“I’ve been training in MMA for two years, I love the feeling of it and it’s like therapy to me. I’ve had many injuries on my wrist which forced me to stop training and I was left very upset from it,” said Omar Sosa, a senior from North High School. People utilize MMA as a way to cope with problems and it takes a toll when they can’t train anymore. The loss of a coping mechanism can make any problem they are experiencing worse, make them feel isolated, and cause a decline in their mental health.

Injuries are not the only factor in mental issues among fighters, losing in competitions takes a massive toll on them. Fighters will train for months for an upcoming match, carefully track their meals, and lose weight if needed, all in preparation to perform at their best. All the sacrifice and hard work are expected to be paid off in the match, but there can be only one winner.

Many fighters will not take a loss easily and will be mentally drained for a duration of time. No one likes to lose, especially after making sacrifices and training hard for months or years. Some will accept the loss and learn from the mistakes made during the match. Others will develop an ego and try to take out their anger on the less experienced in MMA and potentially cause damage to them to make up for the loss. 

MMA can be unforgiving, from the mental health issues that come from injuries and losses in matches. It’s not only about fighting or training, but it’s also an escape from life and a way to ease off anger. It is a difficult sport and those willing to stand resilient from all its struggles will succeed.