How to Build an Octagonal Fight Cage

Mixed martial arts, also known as MMA, is a popular sport that includes aspects of many different martial arts like kickboxing and karate. The most famous mixed martial art is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which uses an octagon-shaped fight cage. You can make your own octagonal fight cage without much trouble.

Things You'll Need

• 16 lengths 12 foot 3 inch steel pipe
• 16 22.5 degree three-way connectors, stainless steel
• Old tires
• 16 sheets plywood, minimum 3/8 inch
• 8 steel pipes, 7 foot
• 100 feet vinyl-coated chain link or snow fencing
• Foam padding
• Foam sports mats

Instructions

1. Scout a good location for your fight cage. It's 32 feet in diameter so be sure you have plenty of room.

2. Build the bottom section of your octagon first. Insert one length of steel pipe into a three-way connector and work around the perimeter.

3. Pile old tires inside the octagon shape you've just made. Make sure they are all the same width to prevent unevenness. Stack as many of them as close together as possible to give the most support for your actual fight surface.

4. Frame an octagon out of plywood with a diameter of 32 feet. Each side will be 12 feet 3 inches with 67.5 degree corners. Screw backing material to the underside of the fight surface. Run it along every seam and edge.

5. Add the uprights to your cage frame. Place the 7-foot lengths of steel pipe into the remaining space in each three-way connector.

6. Stick the remaining three-way connectors on top of each upright. Install the remaining 12-foot lengths of pipe to the tops of the uprights. Stand on a step ladder and have a helper hold one end of each pipe while you insert the other into the three-way connector. Work around the perimeter, just like you did on the bottom section.

7. Wrap your fencing material snugly around the cage frame. Start by firmly attaching it to one corner. Have your partner pull the material snugly around the next corner, and firmly attach the fencing again. Climb into your fight cage and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• A simple carpenter's measuring square will give correct angles.

• Make sure you screw plywood from top down to keep the screws from poking through the mat.

• Cage fighting is an inherently dangerous sport. Never fight without supervision or proper safety equipment. Pad every exposed surface generously to ensure maximum safety.