In martial arts folklore, there are several things fighters do during their preparation that they believe will improve their performance in the ring or cage.
Besides the obvious hard training in the gym, some fighters go out of their way to gain an edge over their opponent.
Tom Aspinall, the current UFC interim heavyweight champion, joked before his fight at UFC 304 that he dipped his knuckles in gasoline to toughen his skin and hands.
Although fans believed him at the time because it was something that was famous bare-knuckle boxer, 'Big' Joe Joyce, he later revealed that he was just joking.
Daniel Cormier reveals drastic actions he took during Hall of Fame run
Former UFC two-time champion Daniel Cormier also took part in much of the pre-fight preparation to try and improve his performance in the cage.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
During his incredible Hall of Fame run that saw him take both the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, 'DC' has admitted to abstaining from sex for at least a month leading up to his fights.
“Every fight I tried to imitate that cavemen*** inside me. Abstain from sex for about a month. Don't eat after 2 p.m.,” Cormier began explaining on his YouTube channel.
“Literally just going hungry, because when you're hungry your mind goes to a place like, 'If I had to go get something to eat right now, I would.' You can almost put yourself in a caveman mentality, taking in all the pleasures of life that we as men love so much.
“Food, women, those things you deprive yourself of and by the time you get in there with that guy you're like, 'Yo! You're the reason I couldn't do this. You're the reason I'm hungry,” Cormier continued.
These methods of what might be considered madness by some clearly worked for Cormier, who has gone on to become one of the greatest to ever step foot in the Octagon.
Sean O'Malley has a similar New Year's resolution for 2025
This is a method used by several martial artists who claim it increases their testosterone and keeps them focused.
After losing his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September, Sean O'Malley hopes to regain gold in 2025.
'Suga' has been dealing with an injury since his fight when he tore his labrum during the build-up to his title defense and required surgery. Aiming for a comeback in the first quarter of 2025, O'Malley has also decided to abstain from sex until his fight.
When asked by the UFC on Instagram if he has any New Year's resolutions, O'Malley replied: “No sex until the next fight.”
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