combat sport
MMA punishes the entire body across 12-week camps. Recovery infrastructure determines whether a fighter peaks on fight night or breaks before it.
Research use only. Many compounds referenced are prohibited by WADA/USADA and sport-governing bodies. Athletes in any testing pool should consult their governing body and physician before any in-vivo use.
Download the MMA & Combat Sports Coach Playbook (PDF)
Training phases, recovery guidance, peptide intel & study-linked bibliography.
Physiological demands
Common injuries
Coach focus
Athlete focus
Recovery research model
Combat sports researchers commonly cite BPC-157 + TB-500 models for tendon, ligament and gut healing, and GHK-Cu for dermal repair.
Performance window
Camp build — strength + skill. Taper — recovery. Fight week — restoration only.
The peptides most frequently cited in mma & combat sports-relevant recovery and performance research literature.
Pentadecapeptide derived from a gastric protein, studied for soft-tissue repair.
Researched in tendon, ligament, gut and muscle repair models. Common in protocols studied for Tommy John–type elbow injury, hamstring strain and Achilles tendinopathy.
Anti-doping: Prohibited by WADA at all times (S0 non-approved substances). All testing pools must avoid in-vivo use.
Synthetic fragment of thymosin β-4, studied for actin regulation and tissue repair.
Studied in models of tendon, ligament, dermal and cardiac tissue repair. Frequently paired with BPC-157 in animal repair literature.
Anti-doping: Prohibited by WADA (S2 peptide hormones / growth factors).
Copper-binding tripeptide studied for skin, hair and connective tissue repair.
Researched in dermal repair, collagen synthesis and antioxidant models. Relevant to skin trauma, road rash and surgical scar research.
Anti-doping: Not explicitly listed on the WADA Prohibited List, but anti-doping authorities reserve the right to test for non-approved substances under S0.
GHRH analog + ghrelin-mimetic studied for pulsatile GH secretion.
Research-grade GH secretagogue blend studied in lean mass, sleep and recovery models.
Anti-doping: Both prohibited by WADA at all times (S2 peptide hormones, GH releasing factors).
Mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for metabolic and exercise capacity.
Researched in glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and aerobic capacity models. Of high interest to endurance athletes from a research perspective.
Anti-doping: WADA explicitly added MOTS-c-class mitochondrial peptides to the prohibited list under S2.
Heptapeptide studied for anxiolytic and nootropic activity.
Research in anxiolytic and attention models is relevant to high-pressure sports (golf, tennis, combat).
Anti-doping: Not specifically named on the WADA list; falls under S0 non-approved substances scrutiny.
Journal of Applied Physiology · 2011
Chang CH et al.
Animal model showed BPC-157 accelerated Achilles tendon-to-bone healing and improved tendon outgrowth.
doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00115.2011Nature · 2004
Bock-Marquette I et al.
Foundational study showing TB-4 promotes cell migration and cardiac repair — basis for athletic repair research.
doi.org/10.1038/nature03000Cell Metabolism · 2015
Lee C et al.
MOTS-c improved metabolic flexibility and exercise capacity in mouse models — central reference for endurance research interest.
doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2018
Pickart L, Margolina A
Review of GHK-Cu's role in collagen synthesis, wound healing and anti-inflammatory pathways relevant to athletes.
doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071987Annals of Internal Medicine · 2010
Meinhardt U et al.
Showed measurable changes in body composition and sprint capacity following GH administration in recreational athletes — context for GH-axis peptide research.
doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-152-9-201005040-00005Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology · 2013
Kolomin TA et al.
Reviews Selank's anxiolytic activity and BDNF modulation in animal and human research.
Neurochemical Research · 2005
Ashmarin IP et al.
Mechanism review of Semax's effect on BDNF/NGF expression and neuroprotection — basis for neuro-recovery research interest.
Neural Regeneration Research · 2022
Sikiric P et al.
Comprehensive review of BPC-157's CNS and peripheral repair signaling — basis for soft-tissue research relevant to nearly every sport.
doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.314287HPLC-verified peptides with a downloadable Certificate of Analysis. For laboratory research only — not for human or athletic use.