Inside Jahmyr Gibbs' MMA Training with Legend Who Worked with Mike Tyson, Anderson Silva, Cyborg

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs isn't resting on his laurels as he prepares for his fourth NFL season.

Speaking to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, Gibbs revealed he added mixed martial arts training with legendary coach Rafael Cordeiro to his offseason workout routine:

"It helps with body control. Your base and all that and faster hands. I would say with blocking, I get my hands up before they hit me. I feel like my body's gotten in better shape, like physically it looks better. And conditioningwise, that conditioning is way different from here because you use nonstop movement in every muscle of your body. Out here [in football], you get more breaks and [there is] much more using your legs. But there [in MMA], it's just constant shoulders, knees, elbows, you go to the ground and all that so out here I barely get tired."

Woodyard noted Gibbs has so far completed more than 20 hours of training with Cordeiro, who has previously worked with combat sports legends like Mike Tyson, Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva and Cris Cyborg.

Gibbs' training has featured three competitive sparring sessions that Cordeiro explained has helped improve his vision.

"He now has the vision that the fighters have inside the octagon. He can see. When I say something, it makes sense for him," Cordeiro told Woodyard. "So, we work on a lot of specific drills that will have him prepared for all situations — long distance, short distance, how to move, how to control, how to keep his hands up and the kid understands very, very fast."

MMA training has grown in popularity among athletes in other sports because it requires a unique level of discipline, agility and focus that can be applied to their day job.

Gibbs' decision to take up the sport comes as the Lions could put even more on his plate in 2026. David Montgomery, who appeared in 45 games with Detroit over the past three seasons, was traded to the Houston Texans in March.

The Lions did sign Isiah Pacheco in free agency to boost their depth at running back, but Gibbs will be the central figure out of the backfield.

After being the backup to Montgomery in his first two seasons, Gibbs became the starter in 2025. He recorded a career-high 320 touches and finished second on the team with 77 catches.

Gibbs ranks third in the NFL with 3,768 yards from scrimmage since the start of the 2024 season.

Anything Gibbs can do to improve his focus and physicality will only boost his already-high level of play for a Lions team looking to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2025.