Jahmyr Gibbs is preparing for a much heavier Detroit Lions workload
Jahmyr Gibbs is heading into the 2026 NFL season with a different job description. For the first time in his professional career, the Detroit Lions backfield clearly belongs to him. David Montgomery is gone, the depth behind Gibbs remains largely unproven, and the explosive fourth-year running back could easily exceed the career-high workload he handled last season.
Instead of preparing for that responsibility with football drills alone, Gibbs has added MMA training to his offseason routine. He has been working in Huntington Beach, California, with respected combat sports coach Rafael Cordeiro, whose long list of fighters includes several major MMA champions.
Why Jahmyr Gibbs is training in MMA before the 2026 NFL season
The goal is not to turn Gibbs into a professional fighter. The sessions are built around skills that can transfer directly to playing running back: balance, reflexes, endurance, movement in tight spaces and maintaining control while another athlete is trying to knock him off position.
Cordeiro said Gibbs is beginning to develop the type of awareness fighters use inside the cage. Their workouts cover long-range and close-range movement, defensive positioning, hand placement and reacting under pressure. After roughly 20 sessions, Cordeiro has already been impressed by how quickly Gibbs processes new techniques.
If you’re wondering how Jahmyr Gibbs is preparing for his bell cow role in 2026, the #Lions RB began implementing MMA training into his offseason regimen.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) June 19, 2026
“It helps with body control,” Gibbs told ESPN.
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MMA conditioning feels different from football conditioning
Gibbs said the nonstop nature of MMA training has changed both his conditioning and his physique. Football plays are explosive, but they are followed by breaks. Combat training forces him to keep moving while using his shoulders, legs, knees, elbows and core, then continue working once the session reaches the ground.
That full-body demand could matter when Gibbs starts absorbing more carries, receptions and pass-protection assignments. The Lions may need him to remain explosive deep into games rather than sharing nearly every situation with another established starter.
Jahmyr Gibbs could become a top fantasy football pick
The larger role will also make Gibbs one of the biggest names in 2026 fantasy football drafts. He already offers elite value as both a runner and receiver. With fewer questions about how Detroit will divide its touches, Gibbs could become a legitimate candidate for the first overall fantasy pick.
MMA training cannot guarantee a healthy season, but it may help Gibbs manage contact, recover his balance and stay effective through a demanding schedule. Detroit needs its most dangerous offensive weapon ready for a bell-cow workload, and Gibbs is preparing for that challenge by learning how fighters move, breathe and survive under pressure.
Jahmyr Gibbs MMA Training FAQ
Why is Jahmyr Gibbs training in MMA?
Jahmyr Gibbs is using MMA training to improve his body control, conditioning, balance, reflexes and ability to handle physical contact before taking on a larger role with the Detroit Lions.
Who is training Jahmyr Gibbs in MMA?
Gibbs is working with Rafael Cordeiro, a highly respected MMA coach based in Huntington Beach, California.
Is Jahmyr Gibbs planning to become an MMA fighter?
No. Gibbs is using combat sports as cross-training for football rather than preparing for an actual MMA fight.
Will Jahmyr Gibbs be the Detroit Lions’ lead running back in 2026?
Gibbs enters 2026 as Detroit’s clear lead running back and could receive the largest workload of his NFL career.
How can MMA training help an NFL running back?
MMA workouts can improve balance, leverage, coordination, endurance and movement under pressure, all of which can help a running back remain upright and controlled through contact.
Is Jahmyr Gibbs a possible first overall fantasy football pick?
Yes. Gibbs’ rushing ability, receiving production and expected increase in touches make him a realistic candidate to be selected first overall in 2026 fantasy football drafts.
