MMA Nutrition is on the Rise!

Whenever I am at the gym for kickboxing, I see so many great things going on. Last night I was watching one of the fighters I work with train.... and he was REALLY training hard. It was a completely exhaustive workout. I wanted to vomit on his behalf. It was while I was watching him that I started thinking about all the areas of nutrition education there are to work on with the MMA community. The sport is so new and really JUST starting to get in on the nutrition scene. I am not talking about the whole "supplement scene". That part makes me sick. I don't really see the need for MMA fighters to get all hooked up with supplements like the body builders have done. It is soooo cheesy and doesn't even fit with the training goals of the MMA fighter. We've all seen it. The fighter who is too bulky is less flexible, has less endurance. gets dehydrated more quickly, etc. ANYHOO, that's a blog for another day! My real point is this: the guys who are really serious have quietly begun to include good, personal nutrition counseling into their training programs. They know that this tiny, subtle part of their regimen is actually the glue that holds it all together. My fighters are learning stuff that improves their endurance while training, maximizes recovery, and keeps their muscles trained to store as much fuel as possible. I love it! Props to Guy Mezger and the guys at his gym. They get the big picture and have really helped put Rudog out there for their fighters. Last weekend, Derek Campos nabbed a victory in his fight, but suffered a broken jaw. Rudog may be doing some special diet stuff for that....I am thinking foods that fit through a straw..... Another good reason to have a dietitian on hand! When you need a high calorie, liquid or soft diet someone has to know how to put that together. ;) I am really looking excited about the things Rudog is putting together for one of the fighters. It is going to completely transform his training.  Stay tuned!