Two questions about MMA?

Question

1. Do you have to shave all your body hair in order to compete?

2. This is focused more towards Muay Thai. Is it true that they damage the nerves in their shins and stomachs so they feel less pain?

Answer 1

1. No, you don't have to shave your body hair to compete.

2. Yes, some people damage their shin nerves, it's not recommended though. As far as the stomach you must make it really strong (lots and lots of sit ups and crunches).

Answer 2

i dont think there is any hair regulation except that you might not want any because it will burn when you rub up on the ground

Answer 3

1. No - look no further than Andre Arlovski for proof that there is no hair regulation in MMA

2. A lot of this nerve damage is natural. As a soccer player, I can personally say that the more you take balls off the shins (or any force for that matter, a kick to a bare shins gunna be doing more damage than a ball) that over time you build up muscle and the nerves tend to deaden. Look at any lacrosse goalie for proof of this as they take a solid rubber ball traveling upwards of 70 mph, sometimes as hard as 100 mph for a living...with no shin pads much like fighers. Over time you build up strength through being struck which is why people like Chuck Liddell have developed such strong chins

Answer 4

1) No - you don't have to shave to compete - think of Andre Arlovski or Forrest Griffin.  They are typical hairy dudes.  The ones that DO shave do so because hair gives a better grip when you are grappling - smooth skin is harder to grab, especially when you are sweaty.

2) Some Muay Thai guys do deaden their shins, but it's not normal.  Really what happens is they get accustomed to the pain.  Once you kick enough, and block enough with your legs, you learn to discern pain from injury.  Pain means it hurts, but you can still function...injury = reduced function.   And deadening your stomach?  No - you get used to getting kicked in the stomach/ribs, but it always hurts.  What you learn is how to take the pain, and how to move with the kick/punch to minimize the damage and pain that comes with a strike.

Answer 5

1 No. Arlovski is almost a manbeast in the Octagon.

2 Some guys do. That's more traditional Muay Thai.