5 UFC fighters with the most unusual training methods
UFC fighters, past and present, are known for undergoing the most grueling training camps in the world of MMA. They subject themselves to nearly insurmountable challenges in order to overcome the stiff tests they'll encounter inside the octagon when facing an equally well-trained foe.
However, some UFC fighters take their training methods too far. They engage in gym wars that result in unnecessary injuries that either carry over into a bout or prevent the matchup from taking place altogether.
The American Kickboxing Academy and Nova União are infamous for the brutal lengths of their training camps, causing their fighters to be more injury-prone than others. Yet, there are fighters who are even stranger than those who willingly throw themselves into the line of fire during their own training camps.
Some mixed martial artists adopt truly unorthodox training methods and principles that seem to leave many observers scratching their heads. So, in honor of these mixed martial artists, this list looks at 5 UFC fighters, past and present, with some of the most unusual training methods and practices.
#5. Emil Meek
Former UFC welterweight Emil Meek has always been a peculiar character. A native of Norway with a Viking-inspired appearance, the man known as 'Valhalla' was not a successful fighter in the promotion. He went 1-3 before being released to ply his trade elsewhere.
However, before doing so, Meek was scheduled to face UFC legend Diego Sanchez. For whatever reason, the bout never came to fruition and both men decided to salvage the situation by training together.
The leaked footage of the training sessions where Josh Fabia weilds a knife telling his fighter to "treat every strike as if it were a knife. Emil Meek provided it and you can tell ny his reaction how much he bought into this BS. Also his reaction to getting caught 😂 https://t.co/eVe5KqE9us
Unfortunately for Meek, training with Diego Sanchez also meant training with controversial coach Joshua Fabia. The latter, according to Meek himself, would chase both him and Sanchez in a locked cage with a sharp blade in an ill-advised attempt to heighten their awareness.
The idea was that their bodies would learn to avoid being touched. While 'Valhalla' claimed to have initially been a believer in Fabia's training methods, he eventually came to his senses.