u/Connect-Ability-7184 — reddlx

Hi guys!

I’m currently a blue belt-level competitor in no-gi jiu-jitsu, and I have about 3–6 months of kickboxing experience. Right now, I’m about 3 months removed from consistent kickboxing training.

I’m 19 years old and currently weigh around 163 lbs. I’m interested in eventually competing in an amateur MMA fight, but I want to do it the right way and not rush into something I’m not ready for.

For people who have competed or coached MMA, what should my next steps be?

A few specific questions:

How much striking/wrestling/MMA-specific training should I get before taking a fight?
Should I focus on joining an MMA gym first, or keep building my striking and grappling separately?
What should I look for in a good coach or gym before committing to a fight?
At 163 lbs, what weight class would make the most sense for a first amateur fight?
How do I know when I’m actually ready to compete and not just being overconfident?

Any advice from fighters, coaches, or people who have gone through their first amateur MMA fight would be appreciated.