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Artwork for Learning to Fight! Conversations in Combat Skill

Learning to Fight! Conversations in Combat Skill

Scott Sievewright and Ben Schultz
Skill Acquisition
Ecological Psychology
Mixed Martial Arts
Strength and Conditioning
Coaching Techniques
Self-Organization
Coaching Methods
Coaching Strategies
Combat Sports
Energy Systems
Ecological Dynamics
Direct Perception
Perception In Sports
MMA
Martial Arts
Physiological Adaptations
Conditioning Workouts
Haptic Information
Complex Systems In Sports
Active Inference Framework

The Primal MMA podcast is back and rebranded as the Learning to fight podcast.Same convos bringing together coaches, athletes, and sports scientists to discuss training and practice design for Mixed Martial Arts. Exploring the science of skill acquisition, human motivation, and sports psychology, the podcast seeks answers to the question, can we get better quicker?Now with Coach Adam Singer of SBG... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes80Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Learning to Fight! Conversations in Combat Skill

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Learning to Fight Podcast — Conversations in Combat Skill

After a year-long hiatus, the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast is back—Rebranded, and refocused as the Learning to Fight Podcast: Conversations in Combat Skill.

Your hosts are: more

Send us Fan Mail

Learning to Fight Podcast — Conversations in Combat Skill

After a year-long hiatus, the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast is back—Rebranded, and refocused as the Learning to Fight Podcast: Conversations in Combat Skill.

Your hosts are: more

Send us Fan Mail

Learning to Fight Podcast — Conversations in Combat Skill

After a year-long hiatus, the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast is back—Rebranded, and refocused as the Learning to Fight Podcast: Conversations in Combat Skill.

Your hosts are: more

Send us Fan Mail

Learning to Fight Podcast — Conversations in Combat Skill

After a year-long hiatus, the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast is back—Rebranded, and refocused as the Learning to Fight Podcast: Conversations in Combat Skill.

Your hosts are: more

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Recent Guests

Dr Steve Smith
Researcher/Coach advocating ecological dynamics in skill acquisition
Winchester University (Winchester, United Kingdom)
Episode: Learning to Fight - Dr Steve Smith - Episode 15
Rory Singer
UFC veteran, partner at Singer brothers, SBG Athens
SBG Athens
Episode: Learning to Fight - Rory Singer - Episode 14
Marco Perazzo
Owner of a Mixed Martial Arts Gym in Maple Shade, New Jersey, practitioner since 1993
New Jersey Martial Arts (NJMA)
Episode: Learning to Fight - Marco Perazzo - Episode 12
Sean Mishka
Expert in combat sports training and strategic development
Emergence
Episode: Learning to Fight - The Emergence Boys - Episode 10
Dr. Tyler Uby
Sports scientist and consultant
Emergence
Episode: Learning to Fight - The Emergence Boys - Episode 10
Dr. Laura Cuijpers
Assistant professor at the University of Groningen with a background in human movement science
University of Groningen
Episode: #52 - Getting Emotional! - Dr Laura Cuijper's talks about the emotional aspects of training and performance.
Sonny Sahota
Judo black belt and coach at Praxis Gym in Canada, researching the integration of ecological dynamics and active inference.
Praxis Gym, Kensington Judo Club
Episode: #51 - Beyond Eco! - Sony Sahota on bridging Ecological Psychology with an Active Inference Framework.
Gray Thomas
Ph.D. student in ecological psychology
University of Connecticut
Episode: #50 - Exploring Eco Psych and perception - Gray Thomas of U-Con on ecological Psychology and it's implications for practice and development.
John Baker
Mental performance and skills coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates; former professional baseball player and purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Episode: #49 - Pitching and Punching - Pittsburg Pirate Coach John Baker on an eco approach to Baseball, BJJ & MMA skill development.

Hosts

Scottie
Host of the show, co-coach in MMA room; provides coaching philosophy and framework.
Adam Singer
Host and coach; discusses training design and MMA pedagogy; co-host and guide for conversations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 52 ratings
  • A great resource

    Can’t tell you how much I have learnt from you and your guests. An amazing resource for those of us in the combat sports area. Really changed by view on how to teach. Keep up the awesome work and a huge thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TKD nerd
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Highly recommended to all coaches

    Hugely insightful and thought provoking show with great guests challenging what we have always thought was coaching! Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CDMA222
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Engaging, Introspective, Articulate and Contemplative

    Scott does a truly comprehensive job of dissecting the ideas and guests within his podcast. He approaches the topics with a curiosity and thoughtfulness that captivates the listener.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Qwertywntveixvtjeve
    United States4 years ago
  • Love this

    Very awesome take, as a martial artist you want to get better but how? Training, exploring, drilling, consistency? this helps understand other ways and great talking points with critically acclaimed coaches, scientists and others give it a listen you’ll not be disappointed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gaff vgv h
    United States4 years ago
  • Ancora impara

    Love these podcasts so far. Informed guests with great knowledge and fun back and forths. A poddie for all those in combat sports who inherently want to get better, faster.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Boxing Coaches' Podcast
    United Kingdom6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High signal, deep-dive discussions; great for practitioners who want actionable coaching methods.
Guest lineups challenge traditional coaching beliefs with science-backed ideas.
Listeners praise the blend of theory and real-world coaching insights.
A practical, coach-focused take on how to design training that actually transfers to fights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Learning to Fight - Dr Steve Smith - Episode 15
Q: What are the limits of pad work for developing live striking?
Pad work can help with specific perceptions and timing, but it risks training reflexes that don't generalize to a live opponent; the key is to integrate immediate, live practice and ensure defensive elements are present from the start.
Learning to Fight - Dr Steve Smith - Episode 15
Q: How do you define skill in this ecological framework?
Skill is the ability to perceive relevant environmental information, decide when to act, and execute in a way that couples perception and action within the constraints of the task and environment.
#47 - All Choking Aside - Dr Andy Bass talks about self-talk, attention and focus and how these can interfere with us all on game day.
Q: Is the free energy principle relevant to the ecological approach?
It seems to connect mental models and ecological dynamics, pointing to some overlap in sport science.
#47 - All Choking Aside - Dr Andy Bass talks about self-talk, attention and focus and how these can interfere with us all on game day.
Q: What is your day-to-day like when you're working with players?
I work with both players and coaches, primarily focusing on motor learning and sports psychology.
#47 - "ACTION ~ perception" Coach James de Lacey on building action capacities for combat sports.
Q: Could you talk a little bit about these systems, how they work and how they're part of fighting?
There are three main energy systems: aerobic, anaerobic glycolytic, and alectic, which all work together, and intensity dictates their usage.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, practitioner-focused show exploring how skilled performance in combat sports is learned and coached. Across episodes, guests and hosts discuss training design, skill acquisition, and the role of environment, autonomy, and measurement in developing MMA athletes. Expect practical coaching ideas—live drills, ecological approaches, and focus on transfer from gym to cage—paired with anecdotes from coaches and fighters. Noteworthy is the emphasis on questioning traditional, drill-heavy methods in favor of dynamically designed practice that mirrors real competition, plus a steady blend of sports science with hands-on coaching insights.

The program often features coaches, gym owners, and athletes who share actionable frameworks for p... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. 1-800-BJJ-HELP
2. The Adaptable Athlete Podcast
3. BJJ Mental Models
4. Villaincast - For BJJ Antiheroes
5. The Chewjitsu Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 80 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dr Steve Smith
2. Rory Singer
3. Marco Perazzo
4. Sean Mishka
5. Dr. Tyler Uby
6. Dr. Laura Cuijpers
7. Sonny Sahota
8. Gray Thomas

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