First, let me start by saying that, there are as many different approaches to training for a MMA fight, as there are MMA fighters. You are a unique person, and the best MMA training workouts for you might not be the best option for someone else. Even as you train and develop your skills, you might need to change the way you train too, as your current needs and skill and fitness levels change. So, the first thing to consider to choose a MMA training workout program for your self is, your current state. The second thing to consider is, the basic principles to look for while choosing an training program to get ready to fight for a MMA competition.

The first thing you should do to decide upon a specific MMA training workout program, is to set your goals, and determine your starting points. It is also a good idea to go through a medical check-up before your you start a serious exercise program. Then with the help of a fitness trainer, determine your current levels of fitness. You should be tested for maximum strength, endurance, flexibility, cardio reserve capacity, at least. Then you should be informed about the levels of fitness about a top MMA athlete. The gap between the top MMA athletes and your current level is the gap you want to eliminate using your MMA training workout program. Once you got that criteria, you can sift through different training programs considering if they will fit your requirements or not.

That will set you on the right path, right from the start. Now, lets consider what to look for in a good MMA training program.

Functional Complex Movements Rather Than Isolation Exercises

While lots of machines and different isolated exercises for different isolated muscles are popular, this is rarely what you need when you are fighting for a MMA match. Seriously, how many biceps curls do you need to make, to win a MMA competition? None. Bulging biceps muscles can look good, but it will do you no good, if all the other muscles on your body are not as strong, and are not trained to work together with other muscles from tip to toe. Remember how your fighting instructor teaches you to use your whole body when you throw a punch? Why not train your whole body using complex movements, rather than isolated movements with machines?

In this regard, bodyweight training is superior to weights, and training with free weights (like dumbbells, kettlebells, and bars) is superior to machines.

Short, Intense Intervals Rather Than Long, Moderate Exercise

When you fight, the fight ends in a few short minutes. So how exactly training for hours in a gym, in moderate intensity, train you for that? It does not. You need high intensity interval training. Tabata (a Japanese fitness researcher) proved in the 70's that, short intense bursts of exercise for 20 seconds, followed by rest breaks of 10 seconds, repeated 8 times for the duration of 4 minutes, creates better strength, endurance, and cardio gains than both low intensity cardio and interval training (where you exercise for 30 seconds and rest for 60-90 seconds). Whatever MMA training program you consider, make sure it incorporates short intense intervals.

Full Mind-Body Programs Including Healthy Diet, Not Only Exercise

An exercise and fitness program is only a small part of training to fight in a MMA competition. As all the top fighters will tell you, it is more of a mind game to win the competition, than just physical fitness and fighting skills. If your training program does not include mental training, like goal setting, visualizations and mental preparations, you're missing out on a good portion of a successful program.

And you cannot eat junk food and expect high performance. Just like a jet engine requires high octane fuel, you need to get the best nutrition possible for your body to be in a fit condition to fight your way to the top.

In conclusion, to choose the right MMA training workout for you, among all possible MMA training workouts, you need to know yourself, your starting position, and your goals first. Then, to achieve those goals, you need to select a program that focuses on complex natural movements, that is using short and intense intervals, and includes all aspects of mind-body-diet into the program for you.