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Since these pieces of equipment are used in every fight and sparring session (and since you won’t want to share them with others), buy them as soon as you begin down your path to becoming a cage fighter.  If you’re a man, you’ll also need to invest in a cup to protect your groin. Your MMA gym or martial arts training center will usually provide shin guards, headgear, and other training equipment. Once you’ve practiced long and hard, you’ll be ready to enter the cage.  There are many cage fighting tournaments across the world.  Trainers at your local MMA gym should be able to direct you to tournaments that are appropriate for your skill level.  If you don’t have an MMA gym nearby, run a word string like “cage fighting tournaments” through your preferred search engine.  The process by which you sign up for a cage fight varies depending on the organizing authority.  Generally, you’ll need to provide some contact information either online or via a paper form.  You’ll also need to include your height and weight so that you can be matched with other fighters in the same class. Avoid cage tournaments that charge excessive entry fees. You’ll probably start out at the amateur level.  As you improve, you could consider becoming a professional cage fighter in a league like UFC. Different cage fighting leagues have slightly different rules.  For instance, some allow kicks to the head, but not knee strikes to the head, and vice versa.  Before your fight begins, review the tournament’s rule book carefully to avoid fouls or disqualifications during your fight.  Most tournaments disallow eye gouging, groin strikes, clawing, pinching, biting, spitting, and other unsportsmanlike conduct. You can get a tournament rule book from the tournament’s organizer. If you’re entering a youth league, your birthday will have to fall within the acceptable age range, and you’ll be matched with someone near your age.  If you’re fighting in an adult league, you’ll typically need to be at least 18 years old. There are usually no upper age limits, though some leagues do set an upper age cap at 40 years old, since older fighters tend to gradually lose power and speed. In the week or so prior to your fight, relax your training schedule to allow your body to heal more fully.  For instance, perhaps two weeks prior to the fight, you’ll do 50 pushups daily instead of 60.  The week before your fight, you might reduce that number again to just 40 pushups. Before a fight, review footage of your opponent or attend one of their matches.  Use your knowledge of their fighting style to gain a strategic advantage when you face them.  For instance, if you know that your opponent tends to throw jab-cross-kick combos, you can be ready for the cross as soon as they throw the jab. If you are unable to evaluate an opponent before the fight, use your previous training and experience to determine how you might improve your advantage during a fight.  For instance, if your opponent is larger than you, they’re also probably slower, which means you should use quick jabs and kicks that they won’t be able to block well. See a doctor to ensure you don’t have any broken or fractured bones.  The doctor should also check for signs that you suffered a concussion, and suture any cuts that you may have endured. Your doctor will let you know how long you’ll need to recuperate.  The amount of time you’ll need to heal varies depending on the amount of damage you sustained during the fight.
Buy your hand wraps, mouthpiece, and gloves. Join a tournament after at least six months of consistent training. Review the tournament rules. Meet the age requirements of the fight. Scale back your training gradually as your fight approaches. Strategize before the fight. Evaluate your opponent during the fight. Get a medical evaluation after the fight.