Mixed martial arts competitions are about athleticism and the training of our natural tendencies to protect us developed into a pure art form. Unlike the samurai, we have a referee and rules so no one dies. Sure, any fighter can be killed during a competition, but there are far fewer fighters dying in today’s mixed martial arts bouts than there are corporate executives dying of heart attacks and strokes from their corporate interactions and suppression of their anxiety, anger, and frustration.

Training to fight is unlike most other sports because the degree of unpredictability is quadrupled by the fact that you have no idea what your opponent is going to do. Yes, you are going to be kicked, punched, or choked out, but in what order and where, who knows? That’s the beauty of the sport and the brutality of it. As sophisticated as we might like to think we are when it comes to our capacity to fight or run, the ability for self preservation resides deep within our subconscious and can only be redirected by years of mental training. Fighters play the drama game in public, but in private most have nothing but respect for the opponent, like any other sport that tests one’s ability against another.

With that said, for those of you watching mixed martial arts, purchasing a fight franchise, training for a fight, or just wanting to look the part, check out the workout below of 170 pound Young Guns Champion, MMA fighter Brandon Thatch, the featured Champion at the Ring of Fire MMA event. Brandon is trained by his father, a local legend in Denver, Colorado, Clarence Thatch, at Inner Strength Fitness one of the best combination gyms in Denver that utilizes a unique training method, from Brendle climbing walls to Muay Thai boxing combined with strength training and features some of the best equipment from HardKore Equipment. Clarence is one of the nicest individuals that you will ever meet, one who was battle tested in the days when the sport was called “no holds barred” and you fought any style without any consideration to weight class. Glove up!