MMA fighters are known for their grueling workouts and rigorous diet regimens, but what about caffeine intake? After all, their drinks before a match can help their performance in the ring.
Key Takeaways:
MMA fighters drink coffee for the same reason as the rest of us, to boost energy and enhance alertness. For best results, fighters are advised to take between 2-4 grams of coffee per kilogram of their body weight. So, if you weigh 75kg, the right amount of coffee for you to take will be 150-300mg.
Note that the amount of caffeine in coffee can differ depending on the type of coffee and the brewing method. Therefore, MMA fighters must regulate their daily coffee intake to be safe.
Why Do MMA Fighters Drink Coffee?
MMA fighters usually drink something with caffeine to help boost their adrenaline levels and strength.
Some rely on energy drinks or coffee with their morning breakfast. Caffeine, taurine, and carbohydrates are the three key elements of some fighters’ pre-fight meals.
According to research, caffeine effectively improves physical and mental performance in athletics. Therefore, it makes sense why MMA fighters and combat sports competitors use coffee to get their caffeine boost.
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A fighter must have endurance, concentration, and precision to compete in combat sports. Caffeine is known to directly affect the brain’s neuro receptors, increasing energy and improving your focus.
Additionally, combat sports require a fighter to stay active for an extended period. Their workouts are very intense, and they are constantly exchanging blows in the ring.
The caffeine in a cup of coffee can help delay the perception of effort and fatigue. As a result, an MMA fighter can stay active in the ring for longer before they get tired.
Another reason why MMA fighters drink coffee is to increase their muscle contractility. The caffeine boost enables the fighter to increase power in the working muscles meaning they can throw a more brutal punch or kick.
Do UFC Fighters Drink Caffeine Right Before Fights?
UFC fighters can drink coffee before a fight to get battle-ready. However, drinking coffee a few minutes before the fight is not advisable.
Why?
Because your body takes about 30-40 minutes to absorb the caffeine in coffee fully. Most UFC fighters drink coffee about 60 minutes before a match.
It is also advisable for fighters to be mindful of the caffeine content levels in their drink. Consuming anything above 9mg/kg will negatively affect a fighter’s performance. They can also experience other side effects such as high heart rates, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues.
Does Coffee (Caffeine) Help or Hinder a Fighter’s Performance?
When taken in moderation, caffeine can significantly improve a fighter’s performance. For example, a cup of coffee before a workout can help maintain a fighter’s high energy levels.
A fighter can also drink another cup after a workout to lessen fatigue and numb muscle pain (to some extent).
The most important thing to know as a fighter is how caffeine affects your body. Believe it or not, the effects are not favorable for everybody.
The FDA recommends a maximum of 400mg(around four to five cups of coffee) of caffeine daily, but some people experience anxiety after ingesting 100mg.
The ability to process and metabolize caffeine differs per person depending on genetic factors. According to this study, people with the AA genotype metabolize caffeine faster than people with the CC genotype.
So, do you know how caffeine affects your body?
If not, the best thing to do is to get tested. But it’s probably easier to test yourself via trial and error. Many of the foods/drinks we consume contain caffeine, so all you have to do is monitor your body’s reaction to it.
Do you feel more energetic and alert when you drink coffee or tired, anxious, or even jittery?
Once you know your body’s reaction to caffeine, you can regulate your intake and gain more positive results from consuming the right amount.
What Other Drinks Do MMA Fighters Drink?
Besides coffee, MMA fighters also drink energy and hydration drinks like Monster and Gatorade.
It’s hard to tell what fighters actually drink before a match (because of sponsorships), but here’s a list of popular MMA fighters and the energy drink that sponsors them:
| MMA Fighter | Energy Drink Endorsement |
| Conor McGregor | Monster Energy |
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | Gorilla Energy |
| Israel Adesanya | Kill Cliff |
| Jon Jones | Monster Energy |
| Georges St-Pierre | NOS Energy Drink |
| Dustin Poirier | Celsius Fitness Drinks |
| Francis Ngannou | NOCCO |
| Islam Makhachev | Gorilla Energy |
| Daniel Cormier | Monster Energy |
Energy drinks contain caffeine and sugar, which also help in boosting energy and enhancing performance.
However, some fighters prefer energy drinks without the sugar content. Remember, a fighter needs to be in good shape and form for peak performance during a fight.
Besides sugar and caffeine, energy drinks also have other ingredients like taurine, amino acids, and vitamins that help replenish the body after an intense workout or fight.
Fighters lose a lot of nutrients from the body when they sweat and use their muscles, so having an energy drink can help them recover from the loss.
Fighters also drink sports drinks.
The main difference between energy and sports drinks is that the latter contains more stimulants than nutrients. Sports drinks contain electrolytes, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Sports drinks are highly recommended for fighters, especially after a fight, because they help replenish water, electrolytes, and energy.
There are three main categories of sports drinks:
- Isotonic: these are the most common type and are good for replenishing fluids lost through sweating and carbohydrates.
- Hypertonic: these drinks are best for high-performance sports and are usually consumed after a workout to replace the carbohydrates and muscle glycogen in the body.
- Hypotonic: these drinks do not provide a carbohydrate boost but will replenish nutrients lost through sweating after a workout.
Sports hydration drink BioSteel is receiving wide adoption due to its zero sugar, pro athlete endorsements, and diverse product line. BioSteel started a pink drink in the hockey locker and is now being consumed by pro football, basketball, and baseball players.
The sports drinks market is growing, and many new players like Prime are stepping into the ring.
In a recent article, we put the newcomer Prime hydration against the 1965 OG Gatorade. Find out which drink goes down for the count!
Are Caffeinated Drinks Allowed in the UFC?
Monster Energy is the official energy drink partner of the UFC, but are caffeinated drinks allowed when competing?
There has always been a concern about the excessive use of caffeine among athletes. However, caffeinated drinks (especially during training) remain a customary practice among fighters.
When competing, the rules become a bit tougher…
The World Anti-Doping Agency banned caffeine until 2004. The reason for restricting caffeine as a supplement during competitions is because it can be ranked as a performance-enhancing drug when taken in large doses.
If you’ve read to this point, check out something else I know you’ll love: 25 Of The Most Asked Coffee Questions
Some organizations are not as strict and allow fighters to take an energy drink or a cup of coffee before a fight. Usually, the amount is restricted.
For example, some commissions only allow one cup of coffee before a fight. Others have a blanket ban on all caffeinated drinks and provide fighters with a bottle of water.
To be on the safe side, most fighters will have their caffeinated drinks before entering the venue. However, it helps to know whether or not the commission sponsoring the event tests for caffeine.
Photo altered by dejittr.com | Photo attribution: Fligan Mascarenhas
