How UFC Spider Anderson Silva Trains for a Fight
Just one look at Anderson Silva tells you all you need to know about his physical fitness. At 6’2”, he is a lean and fit 185 pounds. His fighting style depends on speed and power, and his boxy is constructed in a way to facilitate this: he is sinewy and possesses the quick-strike muscles needed to whip kicks and punches at opponents like a cobra striking at its prey. In addition, his lack of body fat allows him to be at peak cardiovascular condition, letting him continue a relentless attack on his opponents and remain fresh deep into fights.
So how does Silva maintain his incredible physical condition? As with many Brazilian MMA fighters, much of his training comes from a core of jiu-jitsu work. This allows him to loosen his muscles and remain limber and flexible ahead of a fight. He also works extensively on his stand-up game - he has worked with boxing trainers like Freddie Roach in the past and has hinted that he might be interested in dabbling in the sport. He has certainly integrated boxing and kickboxing training techniques into his pre-fight workout routine.
Silva starts every day with a 40-minute run. This is a common practice for boxers and something that more MMA fighters are incorporating into their workouts. On the surface, it might seem quite silly to run as part of training for a UFC fight - after all, the UFC octagon offers little chances for a fighter to “run” for his opponent. However, beginning each day with a run allows Silva to do two things: engage in an activity that “warms up” his body to get his muscles and joints loosened up and ready for the rest of the day; and improve his overall cardiovascular conditioning, giving him the ability to train longer and harder.
Along with his jiu-jitsu training, Silva also works out in the Brazilian martial art of vale tudo, which is an even more open version of the mixed martial arts sport. While it might seem dangerous, it keeps Silva on his toes and makes sure that he is open to defending any possible attacks. Silva is known as a “gym rat” for his love of working out, often attacking the gym in two different, multiple-hour sessions.
However, Silva’s main training comes in Muay Thai, a form of kickboxing that is popular in places like Thailand and Brazil. Along with his boxing training, Silva’s Muay Thai training allows him to put together the various pieces of his stand-up game into one package. During a Muay Thai workout, Silva works on the different punches and kicks that he will use in a fight with his trainer, who is typically holding “hitting pads” for practice. Silva will also work on his defense, along with occasional sparring sessions against other fighters.
One of the most unusual training exercises that Silva does involves a very simple tool - a tennis ball. During his training, Silva will often bounce a tennis ball and attempt to punch just above, below or to the side of the ball as it bounces at different levels of height. The purpose of this training exercise is to improve his hand-eye coordination by attempting to punch as close to the ball as possible without actually hitting the ball. This takes incredible aim and discipline to do, and over time has helped Silva in finding ways to sneak in punches to opponents despite tight defenses.
At the end of the day, Silva has told people that the number one way for people to get into shape like him is to work out every day. Even when he is not training for a fight, Silva never misses a day of training, a testament to his dedication.
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