The world of mixed martial arts and combat sports in general is complex. The mental capacity of these athletes is often just as strong as their physical capacity, but the nature of the sport can often develop mental illnesses in these athletes. 

In the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), athletes such as Khabib Nurmagomedov from Russia and Ireland’s Conor McGregor have generated lots of attention because of their fighting style and their mentality in approaching their craft. McGregor specifically possesses one of the biggest followings of any fighter in any division of combat sport, with each of his last five fights on pay-per-view. 

While McGregor, Nurmagomedov and others have been able to be successful mentally and physically, others have not been as successful in handling the harsh realities of a fighter in combat sports. Successful fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Darren Till, Jeremy Stephens and Israel Adesanya have recently addressed their struggles publicly, showing the power mental illness has on the world of combat sports. 

 Adesanya, a multiple-time Middleweight champion of the world with a 24-3 overall record, is a surprising athlete to have fallen victim to these mental struggles. Many fighters in the UFC who have struggled mentally have also struggled physically, a correlation that identifies Israel Adesanya as an exception. From Nigeria, Israel Adesanya is one of the top names in the UFC, which shows the growing prevalence of athletes in combat sports who have struggled mentally. 

Because of the high risk of injury, fighters are at risk every time they enter the ring and the octagon. Most fighters leave a fight having won or lost with significant bodily injuries, not to mention the lasting effects these fights can have on their minds and bodies later in life. Many football players exhibit signs of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) after retirement, but the dangers of combat sports can be far worse long term. 

Being a fighter or a boxer requires training hard for months at a time. Not only are these athletes pushing their bodies to the limit in preparation for their moment in the spotlight, but they are also pushing their minds to the brink as well. While some fighters have thrived off having a strong mind and body, others have let their minds hinder their performance.