Mixed martial arts has evolved significantly from its niche beginnings to become a globally recognized sport, largely propelled by the UFC’s mainstream appeal. While the intense competition and athleticism within the octagon captivate audiences, fighters and coaches emphasize that the sport’s most profound effects often manifest outside the arena.
Once dismissed by figures like the late Senator John McCain as “human cockfighting,” MMA has transformed into a global phenomenon and a way of life for countless athletes.
Mental Health in MMA
Beyond the spectacle of title fights and knockouts, fighters are individuals who grapple with pressure, anxiety, self-doubt, and the everyday challenges of life. For many, training serves as more than just preparation for competition; it becomes a source of structure, therapy, and community.
Glover Teixeira
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira has experienced the multifaceted reality of this sport firsthand. Since retiring from active competition in 2023, Teixeira now dedicates himself to mentoring emerging fighters at Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut. Since opening the gym in 2019, he has focused on coaching professional athletes such as Cage Titans bantamweight Kyle Boller and former two-time UFC champion Alex Pereira, while also leading classes for commercial and youth martial arts students.
Teixeira has always viewed fighting as a significant mental as well as physical discipline. He stresses that while conditioning and strength are important, it is discipline, consistency, and the daily commitment to training that differentiate success from failure. He believes a strong body is insufficient if the mind is weak.
“You have to fight your mind all the time,” Teixeira states. “It’s a game. It’s no different for anyone who’s going to do anything, whether it’s business, marriage, or whatever; the mind will pull you back.”
Teixeira suggests that sports in general can help individuals progress, challenge themselves, and improve their lives, but MMA demands a unique level of focus due to its rigorous physical and mental demands. While he cherishes the sport, he believes any athletic pursuit can be a powerful tool for managing depression, anxiety, and stress. In his opinion, an individual’s greatest adversary is often internal rather than external.
He also cautions against allowing confidence to morph into arrogance. Teixeira notes that self-defense skills and confidence can enhance one’s quality of life, but excessive confidence can be as detrimental as insecurity. Balance, discipline, and humility are crucial for sustained success.
Kyle Boller
Kyle Boller, a student of Teixeira and an active Cage Titans bantamweight, feels that MMA has provided him with precisely this balance. “There are peaks and valleys,” Boller shares. “As things go up and down, you realize why you have those peaks and valleys, and once you do that, you realize discipline and doing the right thing can keep you on that upward trajectory.”
Boller views training as a therapeutic process, applying the lessons learned in the gym to all aspects of his life. He believes martial arts equips him to navigate difficult moments, whether physical or mental. The intense focus required in MMA, he explains, brings clarity outside of training as well. During stressful times, showing up to train offers him a tangible goal and an authentic challenge.
He emphasizes that joining a martial arts gym is one of the most beneficial actions an individual can take for both mental and physical well-being, given the high degree of discipline, challenge, and accountability it demands. “MMA has basically formed my entire life,” Boller admits. “A lot of the relationships I have in life are because of MMA.” This extends to his personal life, where he has introduced his girlfriend to training, fostering a shared passion and a means for mutual growth.
Consequently, MMA influences nearly every facet of his existence, shaping how he approaches work, relationships, and challenges outside the gym, rather than being solely a competitive pursuit.
What Does The Science Say?
Research aligns with the experiences described by many fighters. According to Harvard Medical School, aerobic exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin – chemicals associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and emotional regulation. The physical demands of MMA offer similar biological advantages, explaining why numerous fighters consider training vital for their mental health.
Mitch Raposo
“I feel it makes me a more peaceful person,” states Mitch Raposo, a UFC flyweight. “I notice that when I don’t train, I get aggravated easily. I don’t feel good about myself, and I feel like training keeps me sane.” Raposo sees training as a privilege rather than an obligation. Like Teixeira, he considers fighting his outlet and a key component of his mental health maintenance. At the elite UFC level, where athletes are exceptionally skilled and prepared, he believes mindset becomes paramount.
Raposo notes that an athlete can have a perfect training camp and perform poorly, or struggle through camp yet still win. Once the fight begins, preparation is important, but mentality often dictates the outcome. He finds that the discipline required for high-level competition compels fighters to be self-honest; there’s no hiding during training, and no excuses once the fight commences.
Outside the Octagon, Raposo finds solace in his Christian faith, believing that understanding his purpose through faith helps him remain grounded amidst a life heavily focused on fighting. However, this lifestyle necessitates sacrifice. Raposo acknowledges that hobbies like comics and video games often take a backseat due to the rigorous demands of maintaining peak performance. Training camps, recovery, dieting, and continuous preparation leave little room for other pursuits.
“I try to keep Mitch Raposo the person and the guy who gets to do what I do in front of millions of people,” Raposo says. “But it gets hard since this is all I do.” Raposo first entered the UFC at age 22 through “The Ultimate Fighter” as the top pick on Alexander Volkanovski’s team, later admitting the spotlight arrived prematurely. After rebuilding his career on the regional circuit, he was re-signed by the UFC in 2024 and returned at UFC 302. He is scheduled to fight Allan Nascimento on June 20.
There’s an irony in combat sports: people often assume fighters are the most aggressive individuals, yet many describe the opposite. Consistent training cultivates patience, emotional control, and humility. Being submitted, corrected, and pushed daily forces athletes to confront their egos. For many, the gym becomes the sole environment where honesty is unavoidable.
This environment is why martial arts gyms across New England are emerging as unexpected centers for mental health support. While UFC fighters like Raposo experience immense pressure, coaches assert that the same principles apply to beginners stepping into a gym for the first time.
Maddie and Ross Levine
At Turbo Kickboxing Academy in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, co-owner and coach Maddie Levine observes that the most significant transformations in students are typically mental rather than physical. “After six months, you just see an overall positive mental health,” Levine notes. “Whether you’re doing it for fun or to fight, if you take it seriously, you’re going to see gains on and off the mats.” Levine explains that many students initially seek fitness but remain due to the confidence, structure, and sense of belonging they discover. In a sport often misunderstood for its violence, she highlights that the strongest gyms are built on trust. Students are encouraged to leave their egos at the door, fostering an environment where open discussions about stress, anxiety, and depression are welcomed. This culture, she contends, is as vital as technical skill.
She adds that many beginners anticipate only a physical workout but often leave with stronger friendships and enhanced self-worth. For some, the gym becomes the first place they experience genuine support in years. Head coach Ross “Turbo” Levine, a former Karate Combat champion, believes that fighters often find their most robust support systems within the gym. “A good coach is also a bit of a therapist,” Levine remarks. He identifies a common misconception about MMA gyms: outsiders expect constant aggression, whereas in reality, the most effective fighters are often the calmest individuals.
“You can’t train with people every day without trust,” Levine states. “You’re putting your body and your safety in someone else’s hands.” This trust fosters a bond among teammates that often resembles family more than friendship. Fighters rely on each other not only for preparation but also for accountability during challenging periods, both inside and outside the gym. Levine points out that coaches frequently notice mental struggles before others do – missed sessions, sudden mood shifts, unusual quietness, or a decline in energy can all indicate deeper issues.
He emphasizes that part of coaching involves recognizing when a fighter needs more than improved technique; sometimes, a supportive conversation is more crucial than an optimal game plan.
Pete Jeffery
At Triforce MMA in Pawtucket, head coach Pete Jeffery observes a similar pattern. He believes discipline begins long before fight night, rooted in consistency, accountability, and the commitment to train even on difficult days. Jeffery contends that martial arts fundamentally change individuals due to its demanding nature. Whether one joins an MMA gym, a jiu-jitsu school, or a kickboxing class, Jeffery states they often emerge with greater confidence in their daily lives. “Do something hard every day,” Jeffery advises. “Then the little things won’t matter to you and go away.”
Not everyone who joins a gym aims for professional competition. Many seek structure, a challenge, or a space where progress feels attainable. Jeffery notes that many people lead lives centered on convenience, but learning to push through arduous rounds, fatigue, and discomfort builds confidence that extends far beyond the gym. He believes most individuals underestimate the impact of small victories. Showing up on a bad day, completing a tough round, or enduring a challenging class can alter one’s self-perception. “Win or lose, you got through that,” Jeffery says. “When you get through that, it makes you feel good.”
Evan Judkins
For TKA lightweight fighter Evan Judkins, this consistency has become essential. “There’s a lot of days when it’s hard to get here,” Judkins admits. “But as soon as you get here and get going on the mats, all that goes away. Everything in my life seems to start going smoother.” Both Maddie and Ross Levine agree that positive mental health stems from a gym culture that embodies the same values fighters strive to cultivate within themselves. “A good martial arts gym gives you not only discipline and a great workout, but it should also be a reflection of your mental health,” Maddie Levine states. “It’s not just about the outside.” Ross Levine believes a gym feels like home only when it offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the moment someone enters. At TKA, he explains, this begins with a clean facility, coaches greeting students by name, and teammates inquiring about each other’s well-being. These small gestures encourage continued engagement. A negative gym culture, he warns, can undermine even the most talented fighter.
“You are the sum of the five people closest to you,” Levine explains. “So if those people don’t treat people right, it’s not going to go well for you.” He considers the relationships between fighters, coaches, and teammates fundamental to long-term success. “Culture is king,” Levine concludes.
For some, MMA leads to championships and professional careers. For others, it provides confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging. Coaches agree that both types of victories hold significance. Long after the competition ends, what often remains with athletes is not the fight itself, but the resilience, structure, and belief that they are capable of navigating life beyond the cage.