Fit to fight - Jason Ferruggia

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the fastest growing sports in the world with millions signing up to watch events with names like 'cage rage' and 'no limits'. This is not a sport for wimps, and ocupants take a real pounding, they must be ready for anything. However, there is one way to predict a winner in any bout: conditioning. When facing an opponent with equal technical skils, the better-conditioned athlete will win - every match, every round, every time. Now, with amateur fight leagues springing up all around the world, top conditioning coach Jason Ferruggia reveals the ultimate conditioning programme for the ultimate fighter. By gaining overall strength, stamina, speed and flexibility, athletes can substantially reduce the risk of injury in this intense contact sport.The key to this system is his emphasis on mat-specific conditioning techniques. Too many would-be fighters use training programmes borrowed from football or bodybuilding - methods that are wrong from MMA. Included are: a first rate warm up guaranteed to make a fighter more explosive and reduce injuries, off the charts strength-building secrets, dozens of exercises to develop crushing grip strength, top speed-building methods, including Olympic lifts, plyometrics, and throws, and incredible effective exercises for building a thick, powerful neck that could make the difference between victory and serious injury.Each exercise is accompanied by b & w photos illustrating proper technique and form, and 'inside the cage' tips shar the secrets to success from top professional fighters.