Mixed martial arts has evolved from a niche spectacle into a rapidly growing sport, largely propelled by the UFC’s mainstream success. While the violence, athleticism, and high-stakes competition within the cage captivate fans, fighters and coaches highlight that the sport’s most significant influence often occurs outside of it.
Once criticized by figures like the late Sen. John McCain as “human cockfighting,” MMA has transformed into a global enterprise, a cultural force, and a daily way of life for countless athletes.
Mental Health in MMA
Beyond the spotlights, championship bouts, and highlight-reel knockouts, fighters are individuals who navigate pressure, anxiety, self-doubt, and the everyday challenges of life. For many, training transcends mere preparation for competition; it becomes a source of structure, therapy, and community.
Glover Teixeira
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira has experienced this reality firsthand for years. Since retiring from active competition in 2023, Teixeira has redirected his energy towards mentoring aspiring fighters at Teixeira MMA & Fitness in Bethel, Connecticut. Since opening his gym in 2019, he has focused on coaching professional athletes like Cage Titans bantamweight Kyle Boller and former two-time UFC champion Alex Pereira, while also leading commercial and youth martial arts classes.
For Teixeira, fighting has always been as much a mental battle as a physical one. He emphasizes that while conditioning and strength are important, discipline, consistency, and the daily commitment to training are what distinguish success from failure. He believes a strong body is of little use if the mind is weak.
“You always have to fight your mind,” Teixeira stated. “It’s a game. It’s no different for anyone pursuing anything, whether it’s business, marriage, or anything else; your mind will try to pull you back.”
Teixeira suggests that sports in general can empower individuals to progress, challenge themselves, and enhance their lives. However, he notes that MMA demands a unique level of focus due to its inherent physical and mental demands. While passionate about the sport, he recognizes that any athletic pursuit can be a valuable tool for managing depression, anxiety, and stress. In his opinion, an individual’s most formidable opponent is often not across the ring but within their own thoughts.
He also cautions against allowing confidence to morph into arrogance. Teixeira believes that self-defense skills and self-assurance can improve one’s quality of life, but excessive confidence can be as detrimental as insecurity. Balance, discipline, and humility are the cornerstones of lasting success.
Kyle Boller
Kyle Boller, a student of Teixeira and a current Cage Titans bantamweight, shares that MMA has provided him with precisely that balance. “There are peaks and valleys,” Boller explained. “As things go up and down, you begin to understand why those peaks and valleys occur, and once you do, you realize that discipline and making the right choices can keep you on an upward trajectory.”
Boller views training as a therapeutic process, applying the lessons learned in the gym to all aspects of his life. He states that martial arts equip him to overcome difficult moments, whether physical or mental. He believes the intense focus required in MMA brings clarity outside of training as well. When life becomes stressful, he finds solace and purpose in showing up for training, something tangible to work towards that cannot be faked.
He considers joining a martial arts gym one of the most beneficial actions for both mental and physical well-being, as few activities demand such a high level of discipline, challenge, and accountability. “MMA has essentially shaped my entire life,” Boller remarked. “Many of the relationships I have are a result of MMA.” This extends to his personal life; he recently introduced his girlfriend to training, providing them with a shared activity and a means for mutual growth.
Consequently, Boller sees MMA influencing nearly every facet of his existence. It’s not just a competitive pursuit but a force that shapes his approach to work, relationships, and setbacks outside the gym.
What Does The Science Say?
Research substantiates the experiences described by many fighters. According to Harvard Medical School, aerobic exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin – neurochemicals associated with stress reduction, mood enhancement, and emotional regulation. The strenuous physical demands of MMA elicit these same biological benefits, helping to explain why numerous fighters consider training vital for their mental health.
Mitch Raposo
“I feel it makes me a more peaceful person,” commented Mitch Raposo, an active UFC flyweight. “I notice that when I don’t train, I become easily agitated. I don’t feel good about myself, and I believe training keeps me sane.” Raposo views training not as an obligation but as a privilege. Like Teixeira, he considers fighting his outlet and a primary means of safeguarding his mental health. At the UFC level, where athletes are exceptionally talented and physically prepared, he believes mindset becomes paramount.
He notes that a fighter might have a flawless training camp but perform poorly, or conversely, struggle through camp yet emerge victorious. Once the cage door closes, preparation is crucial, but mentality often dictates the outcome. Raposo explains that the discipline required to compete at the highest level compels fighters to be brutally honest with themselves. There is no room for pretense in training, and no excuses once a fight begins.
Outside the Octagon, Raposo finds stability in his Christian faith. He believes that understanding his “why” through faith helps him remain grounded amidst a life largely centered around fighting. However, this lifestyle necessitates sacrifice.
Raposo admits that hobbies like comics and video games often take a backseat due to the rigorous demands of maintaining elite competitiveness. Training camps, recovery periods, strict diets, and constant preparation leave little time for other pursuits. “I try to separate Mitch Raposo the person from the guy who gets to perform in front of millions,” Raposo shared. “But it’s challenging since this is all I do.” Raposo first entered the UFC at 22 through “The Ultimate Fighter” as the No. 1 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 made his return at UFC 302 against Andre Lima. He is slated to fight Allan Nascimento on June 20 at the UFC Apex.
There’s an irony in combat sports: people often assume fighters are the most aggressive individuals present, yet many describe the opposite. Consistent training fosters patience, emotional control, and humility. Experiencing submissions, corrections, and intense physical exertion 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 increasingly becoming unexpected havens for mental health support. While UFC fighters like Raposo face immense pressure at the highest level, coaches affirm 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 profound transformations in students are rarely physical initially; they are mental. “After six months, you witness an overall positive shift in mental health,” Levine stated. “Whether you’re doing it for fun or to compete, if you approach it seriously, you will see progress both on and off the mats.”
Levine notes that many students initially seek fitness but remain because they discover confidence, structure, and a sense of belonging. In a sport often misconstrued for its violence, she emphasizes that the strongest gyms are built on trust. Students are encouraged to leave their egos at the door, cultivating an environment where individuals feel safe to openly discuss stress, anxiety, and depression. This culture, she asserts, is as significant as technical proficiency.
She adds that many beginners arrive expecting only a workout but often leave with stronger friendships and an enhanced sense of self-worth. For some, the gym becomes the first place in years where they feel fully supported. Head coach Ross “Turbo” Levine, a former Karate Combat champion, believes fighters often find their most robust support systems within the gym. “A good coach is also a bit of a therapist,” Levine remarked.
For Levine, one of the most significant misconceptions about MMA gyms is the expectation of constant aggression from outsiders. In reality, he explains, the most effective fighters are often the most composed individuals in the room. “You cannot train with people every day without trust,” Levine stated. “You are placing 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 depend on each other not only for training but also for accountability during challenging periods, both inside and outside the gym.
Levine notes that coaches frequently detect mental struggles before others do: missed sessions, sudden mood shifts, unusual quietness, or a dip in energy can all signal deeper underlying issues. He explains that part of coaching involves recognizing when a fighter requires more than improved technique. Sometimes, the right conversation is more impactful than the ideal 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 willingness to show up on difficult days. Jeffery posits that martial arts fundamentally change individuals due to their demanding nature. Whether someone joins an MMA gym, a jiu-jitsu school, or a kickboxing class, he finds they often emerge with greater confidence in their everyday lives.
“Do something difficult every day,” Jeffery advised. “Then the small things won’t bother you and will fade away.” Not everyone who joins a gym intends to compete professionally. Many simply seek structure, a challenge, or a place where progress feels attainable. Jeffery suggests that many people lead lives prioritizing convenience, but learning to push through arduous rounds, fatigue, and discomfort cultivates a confidence that extends far beyond the gym.
He believes most people underestimate the power of small victories. Showing up on a bad day, completing a challenging round, or enduring a tough class can significantly alter an individual’s self-perception. “Win or lose, you got through that,” Jeffery stated. “When you get through that, it makes you feel good.”
Evan Judkins
For TKA lightweight fighter Evan Judkins, this consistency has become indispensable. “There are many days when it’s difficult to get here,” Judkins admitted. “But as soon as you arrive and start working on the mats, all of that disappears. Everything in my life seems to start flowing more smoothly.”
Both Maddie and Ross Levine emphasize that positive mental health can only flourish in a gym culture that mirrors the values fighters strive to cultivate within themselves. “A good martial arts gym provides not only discipline and a great workout but should also reflect your mental health,” Maddie Levine asserted. “It’s not just about the external.” Ross Levine believes a gym feels like a home only if it exudes warmth and welcome the moment someone steps through the door.
At TKA, he explains, this begins with a clean facility, coaches greeting students by name, and teammates inquiring about each other’s day. These small gestures are what encourage consistent attendance. 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 stated. “So if those people don’t treat others well, it won’t end well for you.” For him, the relationships among fighters, coaches, and teammates are fundamental to long-term success. “Culture is king,” Levine concluded.
For some, MMA leads to championships and professional careers. For others, it simply offers confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging. Coaches agree that both types of victories hold significance. Long after the competition concludes, 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.
