When it comes to training for MMA, fighters seem to only want to get there strength and conditioning in during fight camp. For most fighters, training camp usually starts eight weeks out from the fight. This is the time when majority of the fighters turn it up in the weight room. The fact of the matter is that combat athletes should be doing their training in the weight room year round.
If a fighter just focuses on getting stronger in the weeks leading up to a fight they will not become stronger in the long run. Every time they start a new training camp that fighter will have regain the strength he or she had lost in their time off from the gym.
Coming out of a fight, a combat athlete will take a few days to a couple weeks off from training. Many just stop training in the weight room altogether until the next fight comes around. This is what starts to happen once a fighter stops their strength and conditioning work. Around two weeks after stopping, there is a reduction in strength and after thirty days the fighters strength will begin to diminish even more. As far as anaerobic endurance that will start to show a bigger decrease after around two weeks. 
The concern is not so much about the anaerobic work for that will get done as the athlete continues to train on the mats and in the ring. Through the technical training and the rolling and sparring the athlete will maintain a decent level of conditioning. The problem lies more with the combat athletes strength training. Like I said above the athlete will stop training in the weight room for the most part and lose what they had gained during the training camp. Starting from square one every time a fight nears does not improve the fighter. The recommendation here is for the fighter to train year round to not only maintain their strength but also to get stronger. A solid strength-training program year round will be beneficial when fight time approaches. A fighter will not have to focus in training camp on regaining the strength they had lost but rather will be able to build upon the strength and power they had gained prior to the start of the training camp. An improvement of strength over time will also help with improvement in conditioning.
As the strength and conditioning coach there is also a benefit of knowing how long it takes for an athlete to start losing their strength gains. If the coach knows that the athlete will see a decrease in strength at around two weeks they will be able to better plan the training cycle. A coach can time out the cycles so the last of the heavier training sessions can be around two weeks out. The important thing here is the coach must also know their fighter and the performances they have been having throughout the training camp.
Maintaining a solid strength and conditioning program even when you are not fighting will go a long way in improving yourself as a MMA fighter.
