Fight Week Checklist
Taper Off Training
As you get closer to your fight, it is better to save all that energy instead of depleting yourself into exhaustion. Cramming new techniques a week into the fight will do nothing—developing physical skills requires months of consistent training, so avoid trying new skillsets or training more intensely before your fight. Four days out into the fight, stop hard training (e.g. sparring, intense strength & conditioning sessions) and instead focus on stretching, light play spar, shadowbox so you can be active without heightening the risk of injury. To minimize the threat of injury, only train with instructors and familiar training partners.
Maintain Your Weight
In most amateur events, in which the fighters weigh in on the same day as the competition, fighters can only weigh-in once—meaning they will not be eligible to cut weight and weigh in again. Oftentimes, missing weight will make the fighter ineligible to compete on that day, so ensure you are on weight or only a pound over within the week of your fight to ensure a smooth weight-in (and a guaranteed fight if your opponent is on point too).
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I cannot stress this enough: DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING TO THE LAST MINUTE. If you have everything packed beforehand, you can just focus on making weight and competing on the day of. Small stressors of not having what you need add up and can compromise your success.
Make sure you have the following:
• Hoodie
• Sweatpants
• Slides• Valid MTO medicals (paper) and Membership registration (screenshot)
• Valid ID (to prove your name and age)
• Mouthguard and case
• Muay Thai shorts and compression shorts• Groin protector
• Chest protector (for the ladies)
• Handwraps
• Sparring gloves (for warm-up)
• Water & electrolytes (especially if you fasted throughout the week)
• Snacks
• Two-three meals (one right after weigh-ins, one or two meals throughout the night depending on how long you have to wait before your fight)
