Who do you think are some the best strength and conditioning coaches in MMA if not the best?
It's not so much about telling someone to execute a lift with correct technique imo but someone who can put the whole puzzle together and get you peaking on fight night speed, power, endurance, injury prevention fitted in around technique workouts.
I'll start by mentioning some names;
Nick Curson - Coached RDA to the lightweight title. From what I understand he's also working with a few other MMA fighter's and boxer's at the UFC level. I don't think he's a guy with a huge scientific background but he's a BJJ blackbelt with training in all area's I think and someone who can probably considered a pragmatist.
Marv Marinovich - Known for some of his eccentric methods but a lot of people consider the lightweight version of BJ Penn that he trained the lightweight GOAT and one of the best pound for pound fighter's ever.
Joel Jamieson - Worked with mighty mouse during his flyweight title streak, he's also worked with Matt Brown and some other UFC level fighter's at the very successful AMC camp.
Andy Galpin - Has worked with a few UFC fighter's Patrick Cummin's, Dennis Bermudez and others. He seems to be at the cutting edge of speed/power development for MMA but I'm not sure he's as experienced in terms of working with fighter's as a guy like Jamieson.
Phil Daru - Don't know anything about him except that he trained Poirier.
Joel Jamieson’s coaching differs quite a bit from what you see with Curson and Marinovich. For most athletes, I strongly prefer Jamieson’s philosophy. Curson and Marinovich are good for fighters who are already supremely skilled, but need to improve some physical attributes (like BJ). Jamieson allows people to focus mostly on skill training.
Jamieson’s book on MMA conditioning is the best that has been written on the topic.
wiggum - Joel Jamieson's coaching differs quite a bit from what you see with Curson and Marinovich. For most athletes, I strongly prefer Jamieson's philosophy. Curson and Marinovich are good for fighters who are already supremely skilled, but need to improve some physical attributes (like BJ). Jamieson allows people to focus mostly on skill training.
Jamieson’s book on MMA conditioning is the best that has been written on the topic.
Thanks for the head’s up Wiggs, might just look into that book!
Wasn't Johnathan Chaimberg behind GSP's reign at the top? Have to think that's the pinnacle of S&C for MMA so I think he deserves some credit
Oh yeah that's true.
I Wonder how open he is about his methods?
I agree about GSP being the gold standard for MMA strength and conditioning in terms of explosive power, strength and cardio.
That said he was quite a confusing guy to follow on strength and conditioning. I remember years ago on his old UFC profile on their website he said he did LSD running to train his heart and powerlifting for strength. Then he later came out and said he never did cardio in his life.
I think towards the end of his career he was mainly doing gymnastics, plus track and field for conditioning, not sure about cardio.
The problem with discussing S&C training for MMA is that at top levels, it’s highly individualized to the fighter (size, skill level, fitness level, fighting sty-le, fighting weight etc).
At the same time, very little of what you’ll see S&C coaches doing with top fighters has any applicability to anyone other than top fighters. At best, it can possibly adapted for higher level amateurs or low level pros.
For part-time fighters, hobby BJJists, or regular guys, most of it will have no bearing and you’re better off learning base strength & conditioning principles.
It’s akin to wanting to know how NASCAR or F1 teams build engines and set up suspension, thinking you can apply their secrets to your Mustang or hot hatchback - you can’t.
Wiggy - The problem with discussing S&C training for MMA is that at top levels, it's *highly* individualized to the fighter (size, skill level, fitness level, fighting sty-le, fighting weight etc).
At the same time, very little of what you’ll see S&C coaches doing with top fighters has any applicability to anyone other than top fighters. At best, it can possibly adapted for higher level amateurs or low level pros.
For part-time fighters, hobby BJJists, or regular guys, most of it will have no bearing and you’re better off learning base strength & conditioning principles.
It’s akin to wanting to know how NASCAR or F1 teams build engines and set up suspension, thinking you can apply their secrets to your Mustang or hot hatchback - you can’t.
Listen to Wiggy.
Took me two decades to understand this on my own lol