How to use MMA video analytics

Have you reached a plateau in your MMA training and fights? We all have an upper limit to what we can do in any given area. However, the tricky thing is knowing if we’ve hit that ceiling or if we just need to be a bit smarter and push through it.

This is where video analytics come in. Analytics have been around for a while now. Back in the 70s and 80s things were more ad hoc and individual, but over time all kinds of sports have become more professional. Perhaps this is most famously seen in Billy Beane’s infamous “moneyball” idea in baseball. Let’s see how you can apply it to your training.

Are you on the sports analytics train yet?

Sports analytics are divided into three taxonomies:

1. Individual analytics
2. Team analytics
3. Competition analytics

Naturally, when it comes to MMA the most important type of analytics is individual, but competition analytics will be important too. Therefore I would divide your analytical needs into three types of their own:

1. Training analytics
2. Fight analytics
3. Competition analytics

Let’s look at each type by itself.

Training Analytics: How you feel about each individual training session, whether it’s lifting weights, working on your aerobic fitness, or training in a particular martial art will give you a certain amount of feedback. However, if you record the session you can examine areas where you have gone wrong or minute ways you can improve your technique. Compare your videos to those of experts, rival fighters (especially the top pros), and combine them with other kinds of data you may be taking like reps, weights, times, etc..

Fight Analytics: This is the most important type of video to record or to gain hold of. When you are in the middle of a bout it is hard to analyze what you’ve done. It’s natural – you’re moving forward with the fight – attack and defend, find a way to win. After the bout, sit down and watch the video multiple times. First watch it as a whole, then re-watch just yourself, then re-watch just them, then look at minute details and elements – grips, kicks, punches, footwork, blocks etc..

Competition Analytics: This type of analytics involves watching your in-competition rivals. There are two reasons for doing this. The first is related to training – use their videos to find better training methods for yourself. Secondly, use their fight videos to find their strengths and weaknesses for future fights.

Using your videos to promote MMA and your own brand

Let’s not forget that videos have more value than self-improvement. All MMA fighters are looking to build their brand and gain recognition in addition to winning both individual bouts and competitions. So, how do you do this?

Let’s look at the types of content you could produce again:

1. Individual training sessions
2. Fight or competition videos

But let’s add to these more polished videos – commentary, opinion, promo videos, upcoming competition videos, post-fight vids etc.. There’s a whole wealth of MMA and personal videos that you can produce. Indeed, if you focus at first on recording your training and your feelings about the training you’ll soon learn the tech, learn how to make videos, and you’ll find your voice.

Where will you host these videos? First, you’ll going to need your own brand website. This should be your name wherever possible or if it’s taken, use your name + MMA. The name of your website should then be the name of your YouTube channel, Bitchute channel, and of your other social media channels like Twitter, Minds, etc..

This gives you the ability to have a cross-platform brand. To further optimize this brand, make sure you understand the basics of video SEO and how to promote your brand using online content and social media marketing. A good example is the brand building of Joe BodyBagz Pyfer.

Conclusions

Investing in video recording equipment or even just using your smartphone in order to record your training and bouts is an excellent idea. You’ll not only get feedback from others, but you’ll be able to examine what you’ve done and how you can do it better. Furthermore, you’ll be able to use this to further your career and build your MMA brand.

Jessica Walter

Jess Walter is a freelance writer and mother. She loves the freedom that comes with freelance life and the additional time it means she gets to spend with her family and pets.

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