Well man, that's a good question. It's generally accepted that doing a lot of cardio can hinder strength gains if your goal is to maximize hypertrophy or powerlifting numbers. However, fighters have different priorities. They're not just trying to put on muscle or lift the heaviest weights. They're training for functional strength, endurance, agility, and a whole bunch of different physical attributes that contribute to their performance in the ring.

This is why they mix up their training with high intensity cardio, strength training, flexibility work, and sport specific drills. Doing cardio and strength training every day can potentially slow muscle gain, but it keeps them in peak condition and able to perform at their best during fights. They need that balance of strength, speed, and endurance.

From what I've seen with UFC fighters, they're smart about it. They thread the needle with their nutrition and recovery to ensure they're fueling their bodies adequately for the types of training they're doing. Ultimately, every athlete is different and they need to figure out what works best for them. But not doing cardio isn't really an option for these guys. They need to be fight ready, and that requires a well-rounded fitness approach.

Functional strength, man, that's a term we throw around a lot. In simplest terms, it's strength that's purposeful, it's practical. It’s about training your body to handle real-life situations. It's not necessarily about how much weight you can squat in the gym, but more about how you can carry that 90 pound sandbag or how you can climb that six foot wall, or even how you can last a day on the range in the blazing sun. It's real, practical stuff, ya know? It's about training your muscles to work together and preparing them to perform everyday tasks without injury. Whether it's strength training with equipment, using your own body weight, or working with whatever you've got laying around - a tree, a wall, cinder blocks. Functional strength is all about enhancing the coordination between your muscles and getting them ready for real-world tasks. This type of training could look different for everyone, it could be kickboxing, it could be jujitsu, it could be a Pat Mack workout - as long as it's making your body stronger and better prepared for practical, everyday activities, that's functional strength.

Look, we can speculate all day about hypothetical scenarios, but what's clear is that the partnership between George St. Pierre and Firas Zahabi was something extraordinary, man. The way Firas's intellectual approach to martial arts complemented George’s skill set is not something you find everyday. Now would GSP still have been an extraordinary fighter without Firas? Likely, yes, given his talent and dedication. But, one thing is certain – the unique blend of intuition, skill, and strategic thinking that Zahabi brought to the table played a significant role in molding St. Pierre into the fighter that he is. It's like... symbiotic, you know? They just clicked. So, to say he would have achieved the same level of success without Firas... man, I really don't think so.

Look man, I'd say it's a combination of factors. Some people might be working hard, but they're not working smart. They're just doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. That's insanity, right? You need the intelligence to realize what's not working in your performance and adapt your approach.

Perseverance alone isn't going to cut it. Yes, it's a big part of the equation, but you need more. What's your game plan? Have you objectively analyzed your performance? Are you recognizing your weak points and working on them? It might be that these people have just hit a wall because they're not treating their endeavors with the proper focus, intensity and intention.

Another thing to consider is their mindset. Success isn’t the same for everyone, and maybe they're measuring their progress by the wrong yardstick. Are they setting unrealistic goals for themselves, always dissatisfied with their performances no matter how much they improve? You gotta learn to give yourself credit where credit's due. It's not about being complacent, it’s about recognizing your growth.

Finally, we can't rule out physical factors. Maybe their body isn't as healthy as it used to be, it’s just life man. To stay on the path, you need to figure out what works for you, adapt and take care of yourself. Otherwise, it's easy to get beaten down and plateau.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that, man. Fighters reaching a plateau can come down to a myriad of factors, both physical and mental. Perhaps they've lost a step physically, their reactions have slowed, or their strength has started to diminish. But it goes deeper than just the physical. It's also about the mind, the will to fight.

Fighters might lose motivation, or find it harder to recognize opportunities like they used to. As they progress, their original goals might change or shift in ways they didn't expect. The mental game is often as important, if not more so, than the physical condition of a fighter. Only the person in the cage really knows what's going on in their head.

Moreover, the business side of things can also play a part. They may not know how to get the right opportunities or how to navigate their way to the top. I mean, it's a crazy perspective, but it's like saying if you're not in the UFC, you're not worth talking about. There are talented fighters everywhere, they just haven't found their way in yet.

Then there's also the age factor. Look, the reality is, no one can fight at their prime forever. After about seven years, things can start to decline rapidly. Whether it's injury, training, or life in general, it's very rare for someone to consistently operate at the same level. This is a brutal sport and it takes a toll on the human body and mind.

So when you ask why some fighters seem to reach a plateau, it's really a complex puzzle, and it's different for each person. But one thing's for sure, it's not for lack of trying.

Well, it's a damn interesting question you've got there, questioning why fighters like Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway seem like they don't improve while others, like Volkanovski, seem to surpass them. Look, here's the deal man, everybody's journey in this game, in this wild world of martial arts, is different. It doesn't mean Dustin or Max aren't improving or they're lagging behind, not at all.

These dudes are savages, they bring it every time they step into the octagon. But, you got to understand, improvement isn't always a straight path, it's not a goddamn highway, it's a rocky trail. Sometimes, you're going up, sometimes you're going down. It's how this game works. And it's not always about the physical condition or technique, a lot of it is also about the mental game. It's a complex puzzle, and each fighter is unique.

And look man, we've seen both Dustin and Max put on some spectacular fights, beating some of the best in the business. Just because someone else is surging, like Volkanovski...it doesn't mean they're not evolving. We just have to appreciate each fighter for what they are, and respect their journey.

Well, listen man, Firas Zahabi is a legitimate genius, like I've said before. His knowledge and understanding of MMA is unrivaled in many respects. But when we're venturing into topics like UFOs or ancient anomalies, it's kind of a different territory. Firas has devoted his life to the fight game, to understanding, teaching, and coaching it. I mean, he's the guy that coached one of the greatest of all time: George St. Pierre.

Now, could he have insights about this journey, this exploration of the unknown? Maybe. Look, anyone with a curious and open mind could have some valuable insight to offer. But when we're talking about things like UFOs, anomalies, and ancient civilizations, we need people who've sunk their teeth into those topics, who've studied them, just like Firas has done with MMA. We need the Dr. Robert Shocks of the world, those guys who have dedicated their careers to digging into these mysteries.

So, in short, Firas could probably have a conversation about it and offer some interesting thoughts. But would he have more knowledge about it? I think it's a bit of a stretch, man. He's the MMA guru, if we're talking about grappling or striking - he's your guy. But for the mysteries of the universe? We might need to look elsewhere.

Well man, let's be real here. When it comes to understanding the grand enigma that is our universe, the most reliable sources are bound to be these scientists and researchers who've dedicated their lives to this stuff. Folks like physicist Michio Kaku, who've been laboring in the trenches, grappling with these concepts that most of us can only dream of comprehending.

But also, we can't dismiss firsthand accounts. Guys like Commander David Fraver, they've seen things out there, wild stuff man, that advanced our understanding in ways theories and lab work just can't.

I guess what I'm getting at is that if you truly want to understand the mysteries of the universe, you need to embrace all valid sources, man. Talk to academics, but don't dismiss those who've seen and experienced things firsthand. It's all about keeping an open mind and being ready to question everything. Remember, each piece of information is a piece of the puzzle we're trying to solve.