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What is an MMA fighters peak age?

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What is an MMA fighters peak age?

5K views 22 replies 22 participants last post by  MMA specialist 
#1 ·
In your opinion, what is an mma fighters peak age?

Simple question.

Unending factors that make it difficult to say, but on average, what do you think it is.
 
#3 ·
I'd say about 27-29ish, I picked 28. If you look at the former champs and legends like Ortiz, Big Nog, Fedor, CroCop, Wanderlei, GSP etc., their peak performances and "invincible stage" seemed to be around that age.

After their early 30s, many of them were still on top but showed some slight weaknesses in their game. By the time the mid-late 30s rolled around, most of them have been toppled or pushed close to retirement.

There are some of the current champs like Aldo at 25, Bones at 24, JDS at 27 at slightly earlier than that age, but they are still growing and I believe their peak is yet to come when they hit that 27-29 ish range.
 
#6 ·
ive noticed in some sports, and i dont think mma is an exception... if you peak earlier you dont necessarily last. we will see what happens to the young guns of today, but i dont think shogun for instance really was at his peak at 28. could be wrong, but those injuries add up.

also most of the heavyweight division is over 30.
 
#7 ·
Was there really any need for every age group - why not just do 20-23, 24-26, 27-29, 30-32 etc lol.

Anyway, although the optimum age for a male athlete is normally mid-late 20's, considering this is a sport where you carry on learning and getting better all the time i think the peak fight age is a bit later than that - i would say low 30's - 30, 31, 32 sort of age.
 
#12 ·
Op is back with the polls. A good poll and a good question.

Definitely in the 30's now. Why...because of nutrient we're able to push our bodies to the limit even at advanced ages. Thirty is the new twenties and forties is the new thirties. But from a physical standpoint the 20's is where we see the most growth, but PRIME PEAK AGE should be in the late to 20's to early 30's because that's when you've seen everything and the MENTAL edge and experience comes into play. You can never discount experience.

So I voted for 30.
 
#16 ·
I think that when talking about a fighter's peak we must not only speak about physical peak but a combination of physical, and mental peak along with experience and technique.

For that reason I think 28-30 would be the right range so I picked 29. A 26 year old might have slight better reflexes than a 30 year old but most likely its not as big as a factor as the possible 4 year technique and experience difference.

Maturity can also be a major factor which many times goes hand and hand with mental stability, and from the infamous words of Timmay "90 percent of the game is half mental".
 
#17 ·
I really think it depends on when you enter the sport. No one can truly pick the "peak" age because if you take notice all fighters succeed at different ages. I.E. Jon Jones I would say is in his peak right now...by the time he is 28-29(most voted age)I think someone would have figured out his methods and beat him. Plus by that time his body will have started to take a toll on him and he will lose strength, speed, etc. Again, just my opinion but the FACT is most popular fighters all succeeded at different ages.
 
#18 ·
In soccer peak age is 28, after that you start losing your pace which I can attest to.
In rugby certain positions like prop forward peak age is more into the 30's, where guys have built up more power and more technique with their necessary skills for that position.
In MMA I tend to think its early 30's also, guys have built up more power in their muscles, and more technique, and more experience which are key factors in MMA. The only thing working against that is the older you are the more injuries you've probably had, slowing your body down more
 
#22 ·
I'm not sure reaching your physical peak necessarily coincides with reaching your peak in skills.

Physical peak is around 27 for all sports. But man, athletes do some amazing shit after 30 even if they are slightly slower/less powerful.

Mental maturity counts for a lot... especially in MMA.


I voted 30.
 
#23 ·
Physically around 28-29 I picked 29, but if you aren't super jacked, rely on technique and are smart in camp fighters can peak later as they keep developing, I.E. Anderson or Couture
 
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