20 years old too old to start MMA?

[ZT89]

Hey, I'm actually turning 21 this fall and wondering if I'm ''too old'' to start MMA. The short answer is obviously ''No.'', but if I'm looking to compete later on, would this be too much of a disadvantage?

I have a judo background (blue belt), so I have some base, also trained muay thai for a couple months but nothing signifiant.

I honestly don't like doing anything where I don't have a chance to excel at it.

[MaanWHAT]

no you are not old at all .....i started boxing with 21 again after a looong break and i will compete in a few months after 3 years training the first time ! and even i got told that my age is not a hindrance for starting competitions .......you are young enough trust me

[ZT89]

no you are not old at all .....i started boxing with 21 again after a looong break and i will compete in a few months after 3 years training the first time ! and even i got told that my age is not a hindrance for starting competitions .......you are young enough trust me

When people say ''I've trained X years'' it's very subjective to me. For example, on average, how many days / week were you training?

I'm guessing that individuals training for 5 years on average 4 days a week (all year long) vs someone training for 5 years 2 days a week (with on and off breaks) won't be nearly on the same level.

[MaanWHAT]

When people say ''I've trained X years'' it's very subjective to me. For example, on average, how many days / week were you training?

I'm guessing that individuals training for 5 years on average 4 days a week (all year long) vs someone training for 5 years 2 days a week (with on and off breaks) won't be nearly on the same level.

well i train 2-3 times a week and sometimes even just 1 time if i have too much stuff to do but i have always tried to train at least 2 times a week ......but i am a boxer so you have more to learn like grappling and stuff ......and someone who trains 4 5 times a week is not necessarily better than someone who trains 2-3 times a week because there are other things like talent and/or some learn faster than others of have a harder punch from nature .......but if you are not far away from your competition day you should train a lot more the weeks before no doubt

[intrusionzero]

its never too late to start training, however if you aim to become professional, many pro's started in their teens with dedicated training since then. If you start now and dedicate yourself several days per week you should be ready to compete within several years. It takes a while to learn everything but 20 is by no means too old. I started when i was 19(turning 21 in a week) and i was doing beginner jiu jitsu competitions 6-8 months later, while training about 3 times a week in bjj. Some people learn quicker then others though, you may be ready in 1 year, or it may take 4. Try it out and see how you like it.

[rickaysurvive]

i would definitely say no its not to late to start training. just stay consistent with it, if its something your really want to do then dont let your age hold you back, 20 years old your in your prime go for it!

[IntegratedFit]

This is a really tough question. It is truly based on how naturally talented you are. For example Broc Lesnar had a very late start and is one of the toughest men in the world. Inversely, Lyota Machida is amazing and has trained almost from birth

It also depends on what your background is, so If you were a college wrestler or golden gloves boxer you will likely have an advantage. If your Judo background is in BJJ out of a gracie camp you will likely be in good shape. However, with no disrespect meant to your current judo camp, if you earned a black belt by performing a few Katas you may not fair as well.

MMA fighting is composed of a few qualities 1. Natural Ability 2. Trained Skill level 3. Physical conditioning

So ask yourself an honest question... Where do you think you stand

I hope this is helpful. My best advice is train a lot at a good camp before you ever step into the ring so you can gauge how strong you are against other trained athletes not just a few drunk guys at the bar.

[ZT89]

This is a really tough question. It is truly based on how naturally talented you are. For example Broc Lesnar had a very late start and is one of the toughest men in the world. Inversely, Lyota Machida is amazing and has trained almost from birth

It also depends on what your background is, so If you were a college wrestler or golden gloves boxer you will likely have an advantage. If your Judo background is in BJJ out of a gracie camp you will likely be in good shape. However, with no disrespect meant to your current judo camp, if you earned a black belt by performing a few Katas you may not fair as well.

MMA fighting is composed of a few qualities 1. Natural Ability 2. Trained Skill level 3. Physical conditioning

So ask yourself an honest question... Where do you think you stand

I hope this is helpful. My best advice is train a lot at a good camp before you ever step into the ring so you can gauge how strong you are against other trained athletes not just a few drunk guys at the bar.

Thanks for the answer man. I'm currently training at Tristar with Firas teaching some classes, Greg Jackson will be here in a couple weeks to start working with GSP. There's so much availible to learn here. My physical condition is great, cardio, explosiveness and strength, so that's something I don't have to worry about at all. I'm picking up the BJJ quickly too. So far so good.

[ptotheb]

Hey man, I started about 8 months back (Muay Thai mostly and some BJJ) trained 3 days a week, hopefully I get to fight in a few months time as I picked up the technical stuff pretty quick.
Like a lot of guys here already said, it all depends on your natural ability. The reason you don't see many 20 year olds becoming good pros is because by that age they have other commitments that get in the way, education, job, money, GF etc etc. remember success in MMA is all about commitment.
So if you have the time, the money and the drive, by all means go for it. It would be a shame not to, because in a few years time you will look back and regret not doing it.

A few notable late starters:
Bernard Hopkins
Remy Bojansky
Mike "the beast" campbell
Nate Quarry
Brad Blackburn

[Freak-show]

July 7th i turned 30 I started training about a month before that. Will i ever hold a title belt proly not. Do I like to work out and fight hell ya! Its never to late.

[rickaysurvive]

definitly not to old, train hard and focus especially at your age if you want something go for it and dont give up.

[AndyWarDog]

yes 20 is far too old to start training, you could die of old age at any day now

[namesarehard]

Isn't randy couture 47 or something and he is still fighting.

[Scrappdizzle]

Bas Rutten started training at 28 years old! 28!! I understand it was a diff time with diff quality of fighter, but dude was bad! Still is! Waaaaay before his time, if u kno what i mean. Anyway, Natural ability, fight sense, and great cardio will take u far. Work hard at ur striking, bjj, wrestling, and conditioning and you've got plenty of time. My advice, dont rush it. Take amateur fights and don't try to jump straight in the tank with the sharks. Hope it helps.

[Been2HellnBack]

man how are you going to train when your so old you got to walk with a cane?

Obviously you can train for it bud. The prime age for MMA is somewhere around 31 I think.

[RobbiePalmer]

Just go for it if your serious. We have a local amature fight show and I use to watch all these guys fight and thought it would be fun, but never took the chance. Than when I was 26-27 I ran into an old friend and he had been competeing out of state and asked me if I wanted to train with him. It worked out perfect because I already had a wrestling room in my basement, so we started hitting it. I entered some BJJ tournaments and was really having some fun. Then after moving up a couple classes I started meeting up with some of these fighters I had been watching for years, come to find out I wish I would of jumped on it while I was a little younger maybe it could of gone somewhere. Go fo it man you never know what will happen, plus if you want to see how good you are just jump in the ring with David ''The Crow'' Loiseau and see how long you last. Not saying he's not good but he's not even in the scene as far as pros are concerned. I'm trying to be nice but I'm sure it would look like an episode of bully beatdown. Good luck man.

[etali]

I think 20 is still young! If you train often and are serious about it I don't think your age is a disadvantage.

[JRock82]

at this point, people starting training to compete profesionally for MMA as young teenagers is still more of the exception than the rule. 21 is a fine age to start.

[NiGhtt]

natural athleticism will be the true deciding factor,not age

[someonefat]

lol 20 too old what the hell

your pretty much the perfect age right now just go hard.

[Ak12]

Hey, I'm actually turning 21 this fall and wondering if I'm ''too old'' to start MMA. The short answer is obviously ''No.'', but if I'm looking to compete later on, would this be too much of a disadvantage?

I have a judo background (blue belt), so I have some base, also trained muay thai for a couple months but nothing signifiant.

I honestly don't like doing anything where I don't have a chance to excel at it.

well technically u r a mma fighter if u do both judo nd muay thai, but its never to late just work hard at it. its very fun once u get the basics down

[Ajuice72]

I started at 19, had my first fight when I was 20 (right before 21) won in the first round, i've done 5 or 6 grappling tourney and placed in each, not to old at all to compete, your not even to old to be a good pro, a lot of pro's didn't start until 18-19-20-21-22 etc., Jon Jones has been training three years (albeit with a sick wrestling background) everyone progresses at a different rate, MMA is a tough sport with many injuries along the way etc. not even just injuries, girlfriends, kids, jobs, school etc. But you are at a great gym to excel quickly.

[bigkarl]

Well, you'll have 5 solid years of training when you're only 25.


How is that old?

[Triskelion]

You can start training in a few years and still be young enough to compete. So the answer is no. If you want to compete you're obviously going to have to put a lot of time into it as with any other sport. Pretty generic answer but it pretty much sums up the situation.

[AlexSlander]

Hey, I'm actually turning 21 this fall and wondering if I'm ''too old'' to start MMA. The short answer is obviously ''No.'', but if I'm looking to compete later on, would this be too much of a disadvantage?

I have a judo background (blue belt), so I have some base, also trained muay thai for a couple months but nothing signifiant.

I honestly don't like doing anything where I don't have a chance to excel at it.

It's never to late, I train with guys into their 40s. I'm glad I caught this post as I (155-160lbs 10-12% bf) was grappling today with a 21* (185 5% bf) guy new to the sport. His muscles were intimidating but relied only on them, tireing out very early on. My point being as a big man you would need big cardio.

Sorry for lots of conjecture, hope that makes sense.

[thefighter19]

Thanks, everyone! This has been reassuring for me too. I did a couple years of kung fu as a teenager, but was pretty lazy and out of shape. Then, at age 20 (8 months ago) I got off the couch and joined boxing/mma. Now I train 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. It's been a little intimidating to hear about people training since they were 12, but this makes me feel like I have a shot.

[F3D]

I started at 19, had my first fight when I was 20 (right before 21) won in the first round, i've done 5 or 6 grappling tourney and placed in each, not to old at all to compete, your not even to old to be a good pro, a lot of pro's didn't start until 18-19-20-21-22 etc., Jon Jones has been training three years (albeit with a sick wrestling background) everyone progresses at a different rate, MMA is a tough sport with many injuries along the way etc. not even just injuries, girlfriends, kids, jobs, school etc. But you are at a great gym to excel quickly.

This. There is a lot of outside circumstances that determine a lot for people. I'm sure there were quite a few people who could have been amazing fighters but due to injuries or just jobs, children (life in general) training was put on the back burner.

Train as much as you can, your never too old.

[ihavewings]

This. There is a lot of outside circumstances that determine a lot for people. I'm sure there were quite a few people who could have been amazing fighters but due to injuries or just jobs, children (life in general) training was put on the back burner.

Train as much as you can, your never too old.

im turning 23 this year and i might start training sometime for it in the next year or 2. your testoterone goes down as you get older but your not suspose to hit your prime untill your 30 look at bones jones hes the champ already after what ive heard in here only 3 years.

[MechEngine]

I've heard that GSP didn't even start training until after college.

[hereya]

in real fight sometimes,,or mostly happens is what you've got in regular training would be different.
so i think..martial arts is all about sense, no matter how years old you start,

Donnie yen was beating a black belt taekwondoin when he was 13-14 yrs old.