Man, it's a wild spectrum you see in the fight game. It's all about finding that sweet spot between going hard and going smart.

You've got fighters who go hard but don't necessarily go smart. They're the ones in the gym day and night, beating themselves to a pulp, training like they're going into the octagon every single day. It's an intensity that's admirable, sure, but they're not always thinking of the bigger picture. They're overtraining, exhausting themselves, and churning out their peak performance in the gym instead of saving it for the fight. They push themselves to the limit all the time and often, they're so worn out when the actual fight comes around, they can't deliver.

On the other hand, you have the ones who really factor in the philosophy of training smart. They understand that there's a point of diminishing returns in terms of strength and conditioning. It's not just about grinding hard, it's about understanding your body, your limits, your mental state, and being disciplined enough to train effectively. These fighters have a strategy, they pace themselves during the training, they know when to push and when to back off, they're conserving energy for the actual fight.

A guy like Conor McGregor, for instance, has a lot of experience in the game. He gets that you can't just train hard all the time. You've got to train smart too. Balance is key.

And then there's the mental aspect, you got fighters who mentally crumble under the pressure of competition even if they are killing it in the gym during practice. These guys could be talented and skilled but when it's game time, they just can't perform. It's a crucial part of the training, to prepare the mind as well as the body, and it's something that often gets overlooked.

So, yeah, there's a broad range of approaches to training and conditioning in the fighting world. It's a complex blend of physical conditioning, mental preparation, and strategic planning that makes a truly great fighter.

In the world of fighting, smart training is all about understanding your body and creating a game plan for every situation. You've got to be defensive, know what to do when a punch or a kick gets past your guard. It's not just about worrying about the hit coming, but rather knowing how to respond when it does happen.

Now, an important aspect of this is learning quickly. Whether it's because you're young or naturally gifted, it's integral as a fighter to pick up new techniques and strategies swiftly. You've got to be an elite athlete and understand your body at a very high level - it's all about drive, focus, and dedication.

Consider this - training is not just about physical strength, but it's also a mind game. Think of it like a chess match. It's more than just punch kicks and elbows, it's about getting into your opponent's head and knowing what they're going to do. The more you understand about the art, the more infatuated you become. Like Michael Vinden Page - that guy might be training a lot of grappling as well, but when he fights, you know what to expect - killer stand-up game.

Remember, the training ring and actual fight are two different things. Some guys may think they can just 'turn it up' in the fight even if they don't spar hard in training, but that's not exactly effective. The best approach is to train like you're in a fight all the time.

You've got to live it every day. Whether it's martial arts training or even pull-ups, you just can't slack off. If you're working with me, for example, we're going be doing jiu-jitsu all the time, man. Sometimes you've got to teach the basics to your training partners and make them better, so you can be better. That's real smart training in the fighting world.

Well, it's tough to put a definitive maximum limit on training day and night like Khabib Nurmagomedov or any elite level athlete because each individual is unique. Their bodies react differently, they have different thresholds for recovery, and their training intensity and volume is also variable. What works for one person might be too much, or too little, for another. You have to listen to your body and adjust your training accordingly. Now, Khabib, he's an animal. He's been training like a madman since he was a kid, it's in his blood, he's a fighter to the core.

As far as how this type of intense training has affected the pioneers of the sport in their later life, it can be quite a mixed bag. We've seen guys who seem to stay relatively healthy and vibrant, still practicing jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, or just staying physically active. But we’ve also seen others dealing with various health issues, injuries, brain health concerns, these things are all part of a combat sport, and training at that intensity.

But one thing I can tell you for certain, these guys, they didn't do it for the health benefits. They did it because they were passionate about it. They loved it. It was who they were. They were willing to push their bodies to the limits and beyond for the sport they loved. Whether that's good or bad, right or wrong, who's to say? It's a personal choice. But no one can deny the impact they've had on the sport and the inspiration they've provided for subsequent generations of fighters.

Well, that's a great question. It's not necessarily a known fact that extensive jogging leads to muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy happens when you're not using your muscles, not necessarily when you're using them in a certain way. Jogging can lead to decreased muscle mass if it's your only form of exercise because it's an endurance exercise rather than a strength-building exercise. That's why a lot of distance runners look a little bit thinner in terms of their muscle mass.

Now, Khabib Nurmagomedov is a whole different animal. What people need to keep in mind is that he's not just running. This dude is also wrestling, he's lifting, he's training in a variety of different ways. He's likely not experiencing any muscle atrophy from running, because he's also doing a lot of strength training. And let me tell you, wrestling is no joke when it comes to building muscle and strength.

He might not appear overly muscular, but don't be fooled by that. This guy is strong as an ox. He's grappling with heavyweights in the gym and they're talking about his insane pressure. I mean, Luke Rockhold said he never loses a round in training. That doesn't come from just running, that's a whole lot of strength and endurance training.

Remember, bodies can deceive. Just because someone doesn't have the typical chiseled physique, doesn't mean they don't have strength or endurance. It's about functional fitness, baby.

Here's the thing, man. If you're just doing steady-state running and that's all you're doing, it's not optimal for maintaining or building muscle mass. The body is an amazing machine that adapts to whatever stress you put on it. And if all you're doing is distance running, your body's going to shed any weight that's not necessary for that task - which includes muscle.

Now, if you're mixing running with a sport like MMA, which involves a significant amount of strength, speed, agility, and endurance, you're sending different signals to your body. That kind of variety in training stimulus could help develop a more rounded, athletic physique. Still, you've got to keep your nutrition on point as well to support muscle growth and recovery.

But remember, everyone's body responds differently to various types of training. The key is to balance the various elements of training - strength, endurance, flexibility, speed - in a way that aligns with your specific performance goals. This isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. It's always an experiment of one. You've got to figure out what works best for you.

The mental game in MMA is absolutely crucial, and it's not just about psyching out your opponent with trash talk. It's about the decisions you make in the ring during the fight, and the planning you put in before you even step into the octagon. Fighting, as I like to say, is a thinking man's game and it's about understanding yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, and how to stay in control even in the most intense situations.

A huge part of the mental game is managing your resources - when to exert energy, when to impose yourself, and when to hold back. It's not about going all out from the get-go, but rather about understanding the rhythms of the fight, reading your opponent and deciding when to make your move. A guy like Nick Diaz, for instance, isn't known for going hard from the outset. He stays on you with a lot of volume until you get tired, and then he starts unloading.

Another thing to consider is the importance of adopting a long-term approach to your training. You've got to view your MMA skillset almost like a long-term project. Work out what needs fine-tuning, what needs to be built upon, and then strategize and plan accordingly. To be honest, about 90% of training should be focused on developing yourself, your skillsets, and making sure they're as sharp as they can be for fight night. That's the kind of preparation that makes one confident in facing any opponent in the division.

Lastly, remember that MMA is more than just fighting. It's a mind game, and the ones who master it are the ones who come out on top. It's about being able to step into the ring knowing you're not just going to fight, but that you're going to outsmart your opponent. That's the real mental game in MMA, and it's far more important than any trash talk could ever be.