From the mats to the ring, the athletes at Absolute MMA have been putting in serious work and it shows. June and July brought an exciting wave of competitions, and our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai teams stepped up, showed out, and made the gym proud.
Across events in Utah and Nevada, Absolute athletes earned podium spots, tested their skills, and walked away stronger regardless of medal color. From first-time white belts entering their first tournament to strikers standing toe to toe in the unknown, the results were the same: hard work, consistency, and courage pays off.
Celebrating Our Competitors
To everyone who competed this summer, congratulations. Whether you brought home gold or gained invaluable experience, you represented our gym with discipline and heart.
In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, several of our competitors medaled in both gi and no-gi divisions—many stepping into the arena for the first time. It’s no small thing to trust your training enough to test it against someone else in a live match. These athletes faced tough brackets, tight matches, and walked away with not only hardware but a clearer sense of where they’re growing and what comes next.
On the Muay Thai side, our fighters showcased beautiful technique and grit in competition. Their performances spoke volumes about the level of coaching and training preparation happening right here at Absolute. Long hours of padwork, sparring rounds, and mental conditioning translated into confident ring presence and well-executed game plans. Whether the result was a win or a learning moment, every fighter leveled up.
We also want to thank the training partners, coaches, teammates, and family members who supported these athletes every step of the way. While you may be stepping on the mat alone, our community is proof that combat sports are a team sport.
Is there a purpose to competition? Why should you consider signing up to fight?
Competition isn’t just for professionals or elite-level athletes. At Absolute MMA, we encourage students of all levels to consider signing up for a local tournament when they feel ready. Why? Because competition sharpens your skills and reveals your growth in a way nothing else can.
Here’s what competition offers:
- Feedback under pressure. In a competition setting, you get to see how your techniques hold up under stress. That feedback is gold. It tells you what’s automatic, what still needs work, and what game plan fits your style.
- Clear goals. Having a date on the calendar often fuels motivation. You show up more consistently, clean up your diet, focus on details, and train with intention.
- Resilience and humility. Whether you win or lose, competition helps you develop grit. Learning to reset after a loss or handle a win with grace is powerful for life on and off the mats.
- Confidence. After testing yourself in front of a crowd, under bright lights, with adrenaline pumping, everyday challenges feel a little smaller.
If you’ve never competed before but are curious, talk to your coach. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be prepared.
Whether you’re eyeing your first local BJJ tournament or signing up for a Muay Thai smoker, here are a few tried-and-true tips to help you prepare like a seasoned competitor:
1. Start with consistent training.
Consistency beats intensity over time. Aim to train at least 3–4 times a week and make sure you’re showing up even on the days you feel a little off. These sessions often teach the most.
2. Communicate with your coaches.
Let your coaches know you’re planning to compete. They’ll guide your prep, watch your rolls or sparring rounds more closely, and tailor feedback to help you peak at the right time.
3. Dial in your game plan.
You don’t need 50 techniques—just a few that you know well. In both BJJ and Muay Thai, simplicity and sharpness win. Know your go-to positions, combos, and counters, and drill them with intention.
4. Take recovery seriously.
Hard training means you’ll need to recover just as hard. Get good sleep, fuel with whole foods, and listen to your body. The weeks leading up to competition aren’t about pushing harder. They’re about preparing smarter.
5. Simulate the experience.
Ask for competition-style rounds: hard sparring with unfamiliar partners, shorter rest, and a coach giving real-time advice. Get used to the intensity so it doesn’t surprise you on game day.
If there’s one thing every experienced competitor will tell you, it’s that mindset makes or breaks your performance.
Here’s what helps:
1. Focus on effort, not outcome.
You can’t control your opponent. What you can control is your preparation, attitude, and presence on the mat or in the ring. Aim to execute your game plan, not chase a win.
2. Reframe nerves as excitement.
That pounding heart and sweaty grip? It means you care. Lean into the adrenaline. It’s not fear—it’s energy. Use it.
3. Visualize your success.
Mental reps are just as important as physical ones. Take a few quiet moments each day to picture yourself walking onto the mat or into the ring, executing clean technique, breathing calmly, and staying composed.
4. Let go of perfection.
You will make mistakes. Everyone does. What matters is how quickly you recover and refocus. Every match is a chance to learn and grow.
5. Remember your “why.”
You’re not just competing to win a medal. You’re doing it to test yourself, represent your team, and grow as a martial artist. That mindset keeps you grounded and grateful.
At Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah, our community is built on encouragement, accountability, and excellence. Whether you’re brand new to training or ready to register for your next competition, our coaches are here to support your goals.
Interested in competing this fall? Let your instructor know. We’ll help you build the skills, confidence, and mindset you need to step up and shine just like our summer athletes did.
And if you’re just getting started, come try a free one-week trial. No pressure to compete. Just come see what it’s like to train in a place where hard work, respect, and growth are the norm.