adding mass while training mma?

[ebenezer howard]

hi, i have been bodybuilding over the past year and gains have been quite easy, i am def not a hard gainer imo. however i have recently re-joined my mma gym where i have been training 3x a week, at first this was not a prob but this regime of mma 3x and bb 4x has over taxed me and i feel very over trained. Particularly- achy joints, tendons, shoulders, tiredness, sleeplessness and now my gains have stopped and strength is decreasing!

After asking around it has been suggested that running a cycle will allow me to train in this way because the gear gives extra recovery, i do not want to be a competitive bodybuilder or be bigger than my genetics allow through the use of gear but i would like to continue gaining. i am currently 180lb at 13% bf, 5"11. i have been told that i could get to around 200lb mark and hold this weight naturally.

So here is the question, firstly is this true? and secondly if it is, if i were to complete a cycle and be around the 195-200 mark at the end, would i be able to train mma during PCT?, i have read that your natural test is so low when the unnatural test is out of your system that the body is in a catabolic state so the training volume should be reduced i.e. less sets and frequency but i have not found any info relating to high intensity cardio activity like mma.

thanx for your time , here are my full stats
Stats-

Age: 21
Height: 5"11
Weight: 180lb
BF%: 13%
Cycle Exp: 0
PCT Knowledge: good
Training Exp: 1yr
diet- very good, lots of advice form PTs

[scotty51312]

Still a little young to be cycling. You're body's endochrine system hasn't matured yet and by cycling now you risk damaging it permanantly. That being said, it would be irresponsible on my part to advise you to cycle or how to do so. Overtraining is overtraining PERIOD. AAS can help with recovery and protien synthesis but they're not going to make you superman. Supplementing your diet with creatine, and lots of BCAA's can help with recovery as well as staying well hyrdrated. Good sleep is another aspect of recovery, possibly add some melatonin, 5HTP, and valerian root to your last meal before bed. There are lots of good joint supps out there as well. Straight up glucosamine helps me a lot. The bottom line is sometimes you just have to listen to your body and rest more. Thats been a hard lesson for me. I have to force myself to take days off from lifting. Hope this helps