How to Interview MMA Fighters: A Coach's Brutal Guide

Who This Is For

You're a journalist, a podcast host, or a content creator who's about to sit down with a fighter. You've got 15 minutes, maybe 20, and you're terrified of wasting them. This guide is for you. I'm going to walk you through the exact steps I use when I prep an interview, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Most MMA interviews are garbage because most interviewers are lazy. They ask the same five questions every fighter has heard a thousand times. You're not going to do that. You're going to walk in with a plan, ask questions that cut to the bone, and leave with something your audience actually wants to hear.

Step 1: Know the Fight Game Inside Out

Before you even book the interview, you need to know the sport. Not just the basics—the real mechanics. Fighters respect you when you know that a middleweight fights at 185 pounds, not 185 'pounds of muscle.' Know that under the Unified Rules, non-championship bouts are three rounds of five minutes, and championship bouts are five rounds of five minutes (New Jersey State Athletic Control Board). Know that the Octagon is 30 feet across inside (UFC Official Octagon). That's the kind of detail that signals you're not just some random guy with a mic.

You also need to know the history. If you're talking to a veteran, they'll bring up PRIDE. Know that PRIDE's debut at the Tokyo Dome in 1997 drew about 47,000 fans (Wikipedia PRIDE Fighting Championships). If you're talking to a younger fighter, they might mention the ESPN deal—five years, $1.5 billion (Reuters). You don't have to be a walking encyclopedia, but you should know the landmarks. The worst thing you can do is ask a fighter, 'So, what's your record?' when they've already told you in 20 other interviews.

Step 2: Ask About the Fight, Not the Hype

Here's the golden rule: ask about the actual fight—the exchanges, the adjustments, the fear. Most interviewers ask, 'How do you feel about your opponent?' That's a lazy question. Instead, ask something like, 'In your last fight, you got taken down in the second round. What was going through your head when you hit the mat?' That's a question that gets a real answer.

For example, if you're interviewing a heavyweight, you can bring up Derrick Lewis's record for most knockouts in UFC history—13 (MMA Junkie). Ask him, 'That 13th knockout, was it a one-punch deal or did you set it up?' That's specific, and it shows you've done your homework. Fighters love talking about technique—the guard, the mount, the rear-naked choke. They don't love talking about their 'mindset' in vague terms. So push for specifics.

Step 3: Don't Be Afraid of the Hard Questions

MMA is a brutal sport. Head trauma accounts for 58–78% of all injuries in MMA (PubMed MMA Head Injury Review). Concussions are a real issue, and fighters know it. You can ask about that, but do it with respect. Don't ask, 'Are you worried about brain damage?' That's insulting. Instead, ask, 'You've had a long career—how do you manage the physical toll?' That opens a door.

Also, ask about weight cutting. A study of UK MMA athletes found they lost about 8% of their body weight in the week before competition, and 57% were dehydrated at the weigh-in (PubMed Rapid Weight Loss UK MMA). That's a brutal reality. Ask a fighter, 'What's the worst weight cut you've ever had?' You'll get a story, and it'll be honest. Just be ready for it.

Warning: Don't ask a question you're not prepared to hear the answer to. If you ask about a fighter's loss, they might get emotional. That's fine—that's what you want. But don't flinch. Stay present.

Step 4: Use the Numbers to Your Advantage

Fighters live by numbers—records, streaks, finishes. Use them to frame your questions. For instance, Anderson Silva holds the record for longest reigning UFC champion at 6 years 265 days (Guinness World Records). If you're interviewing a middleweight, you could ask, 'Do you think anyone will ever break Silva's record? Is that even possible today?' That's a conversation starter.

Or if you're talking to a champion, you can mention that Demetrious Johnson and Anderson Silva were tied at 10 consecutive title defenses (UFC.com News). Ask, 'What does it take to defend a title 10 times? Is it mental or physical?' You're giving them a concrete benchmark, and they'll run with it.

Step 5: Know the Business Side

Fighters care about money, even if they won't say it. The UFC is a business, and fighters know it. The UFC was sold for $4 billion in 2016 (BBC Sport). The ESPN deal was $1.5 billion (Reuters). The UFC and WWE merged to create TKO Group Holdings, valued at about $21 billion (TKO Group Holdings). That's the world they live in.

Ask a fighter, 'The sport's grown a lot since you started. How has the money changed?' You'll get a real answer, especially from veterans who remember the early days. Don't be shy about asking about pay—just do it respectfully. 'People say the pay isn't fair. What's your take?' That's a question that can generate headlines.

Step 6: The 'What Can Go Wrong' Moment

Here's where it can all go wrong: you ask a question that's too personal, or you push a fighter into a corner, and they shut down. That's the risk. You have to read the room. If a fighter gives you a one-word answer, don't push. Move on. If they start talking about a recent loss and get choked up, let them. That's gold. But if you push too hard, they'll walk out, and you'll have nothing.

Also, don't be a fanboy. If you gush over their highlight reel, they'll tune out. Stay neutral. You're there to get a story, not to get an autograph.

Step 7: End with a Question That Opens Doors

Close with something that gives them a chance to say something memorable. Ask, 'What do you want people to remember about your career?' Or, 'If you could fight any fighter from any era, who would it be?' That's a question that gets playful, and it can produce a quote you'll use for years.

Also, always ask about their next fight. Even if they don't have one booked, they'll have an opinion. 'Who do you want next?' That's a classic, but it works.

Quick tip: Record everything, even the stuff you think is boring. You never know what will become a story.

Bottom Line

The single best move you can make is to prepare like a fighter prepares for a fight. Do your homework, ask specific questions, and don't be afraid to go deep. That's how you get an interview that people actually talk about.

Sources

• Unified Rules of MMA - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_martial_arts
• New Jersey State Athletic Control Board - https://www.state.nj.us/lps/sacb/docs/martial.html
• UFC Official Octagon - https://www.ufc.com.br/octagon
• PubMed MMA Head Injury Review - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33538222/
• PubMed Rapid Weight Loss UK MMA - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27710145/
• Guinness World Records - https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/488262-longest-reigning-ufc-champion