You want to know what it’s like to be an MMA Fighter?
It’s almost time. I see my opponent warming up with his game face on, his music hits and he enters the cage. My fight coach is going over game plan and making sure I have the Vaseline on my face. My music hits and I walk to the cage. I enter never taking my eyes off the man standing across from me whom I am about to battle. He is 6’3 and 266 pounds. I am 40 pounds less tonight. He makes me look small.
As I stare into his eyes, the ref is going over the rules. I am waiting… His eyes look down and away from me for a second. Mike Tyson says “That is when you know you have broken you opponent’s spirit. Then he is yours” My adrenaline calms and I feel at home. He is my cage, and I own him tonight.
We touch gloves and the fight starts. 33 seconds later, it is over. My head is spinning and my heart is pounding. This is the greatest adrenaline rush I have ever felt in life. My hand is raised I walk out of the cage an undefeated MMA fighter. It’s a whirlwind of adrenaline and emotion, but I manage to call my mom moments after and tell her I won. She is in tears. She is proud of her baby boy. She is most proud because for months she has listened to my stories of pain, struggle and strife to get to that moment.
I didn’t just step into the cage that night without earning the right to. I am not a backyard brawler. I am not a street fighter. I am a trained Mixed Martial Artist. I started with a dream and a goal. I did not realize however, how much work it would take to achieve such goals. Although I have reached one goal, I know now to be at the top of this game, you have to push and pull and give everything you have for this sport.
I train everyday with world class fighters and have world class coaches. Brazilian Top Team Brown belts and Black belts twist me in ways I should not be twisted. Professional boxers beat me until I learn how to move and block. Judo’s best and brightest throw me around with ease. Grappling champions sit on me and rain down punches. The men and woman I train with cause me more pain than anyone has ever in my entire life, But when I enter the cage, they and I both know why it is that I subject myself to this punishment almost 6 hours a day. I will come out of that cage with a victory.
I won’t lie. Training for MMA is hard. Maybe the hardest thing some have ever done. You will go home with black eyes. Your nose will bleed daily. You will have bruises from top to bottom. Your limbs will be sore and joints will be stiff. You may have a hard time sleeping during the night due to the pain.
However, you will become faster and stronger than you have ever been. More agile and intuitive than ever before. Confidence will radiate through you. Lesser problems in your life will seem easy to manage. You will make friends and create bonds stronger than ever before. You will be a part of a team and a new family. An Elite family.
And when it comes time for you to step into the cage, you will stare into your opponents eyes, and send a message that no pain he will try to inflict on you will be measurable to the pain you endured to get here. Win or lose that night, you are on a stage most men and woman cannot fathom standing on. You are special. You are a fighter. A Mixed Martial Artist.
