I’ve been sticking with boxing.
I enjoyed McGregor v Diaz 2. Watched it at the time and thought it was the right decision, watched it again with some mates who missed it and thought Diaz was unlucky. Tempted to try to get tickets for UFC 205.
possibility to fight came up again - met a fight rep this month - said he could get me a slot at 185lbs if I want it …
Didn’t you say you were 220lbs? would you cut 35 pounds for an amateur bout?
yeah last week I was 222. I’m 206 today. Did some extended high cardio workouts. I could cut to 185lb on weigh in then rehydrate and fight at like 195lbs or something. But, I’m not looking to go tomorrow I mean months would be better. Yeah at this point i’m just weighing the pros and cons. Its a lot of risk to go in the ring with little reward.
I’m no expert on dehydration/hydration dynamics either so would prefer to avoid that. Its all a humbling experience though. Just try grapplling a jiu jitsu against a black belt and see how many tapouts he gets before 5:00 bell. Last one I grapppled against my one victory was that he had full mount and I got out of it by doing the gayest move where you just start hard thrusting the person on top, high enough that you can sweep under.
Can’t be better than a guy who eats snakes lol
I signed 1yr contract with American Top Team today. Had long philosophy talk about sport with several coaches and agreed to terms for fight approval. Basically need boxing + muay thai + jiu jitsu head coaches to approve. One of my main issues was being forced to go through gi training. Head jiu jitsu instructor said he would approve me if I opted to do no gi solo training so might be longer process so considering easing into the gi (never done gi training). We talked gi philosophy for over 40 min. He convinced me the better no gi fighters all do gi training to strengthen no gi in fights. I was there for like 4 hours and only went in to check out the place really. Vibe is mad chill - we were listening to rap and hip hop/rap (explicit) the whole time (chicks there too), which is my jam.
There were some style corrections in Muay Thai class which in open to (minor things like not clenching fists on elbows) but head coach was like I’m going to recommend you things but if you like a certain style or method go with it. This was what I wanted to hear because a lot of my time has developed this odd mix of things that work for me. But, this is what I needed to hear from head Muay Thai coach.
I’m going to ease into a full schedule with ATT. I have my schedule and other gym locations that I just need to train at because they have more equipment, but going back to start no gi tomorrow at 6:30pm.
Sounds like your new home. Having guys like Lawler, or Woodley when he does train there, as potential training mates, not to mention the coaching staff, definitely can’t hurt. Are you aiming to transition to UFC/Bellator/WSOF soon or mainly building skills at this point?
They actually have around 20 locations. Im not at main location in Florida so won’t be training with that crew, but other location that has some transplant coaches who came from Florida. It would be nice to train with that crew, but this setup for me with this location is just optimal. But, being connected to whole organization is a big plus for me. At this point, i’m 0-0 so just want to get into the ring and win. I’m 33 so even if I fight next year that leaves only a couple of years to be competitive. It used to be a goal to be top, but I just like the sport and still want to get into the ring, but I have to not be dumb about it and go through the proper training process. So basically want to train hard, make some friends, and win… just go from there. I really like the comradery though of going through the process and the vibe just felt right in training tonight so committed.
Who is the head coach there? How are the training partners around your size?
I was in your shoes about 5 years back - at least i think this is an accurate statement. I was working a full time job, had a steady gf, and looking to pursue a passion in mma while finding time to study for the cfa. I was going to renzos for bjj (mostly the submission wrestling with Max Mcgarr), a mix bt Ardon Sweet Science & gleasons for boxing, 5 points for MT, and then i trained with John Salgundo/Jason lee for bringing it all together.
All in all i was training 6-7 times a week doing two a days (1 hour str training at lunch) and 2-3 hours after work.
Here’s my takeaway from this journey; it’s not worth the time. I understand the passion (i still have it), the drive, and the overall love for the sport but you have to consider all angles. This is a taxing process. All your time and effort will be devoted and this includes mental exacerbation (i used to write down notes post training for bjj). I’d strongly consider the opportunity cost. This time training could be used to start a business, get through the cfa readings, find a meaningful relationship, etc. Going back, i would do it all or nothing. I would either devote 100% of my life to it (quit job/ gf) or not do it at all.
Gl.
PMed you coach/gym location. If anyone else wants it PM me. Yeah but the reverse of it too is, how is my mental character without the training. I used to be at 100% or nothing angle as well. But, right now its just have fun and take it a day at a time for me. As for relationships - blonde chick from Muay Thai class is prospect … that would be interesting dating MMA chick right?
Had good session today. Grappled with some people about my size - was people at reasonable levels.
whatsyourgovt - you’re right it is a lifestyle though. It’s taking a lot of time already between laundry for all clothes many times a week with increased time eating and buying food.
^What’s the end game? I put in a lot of time in order to perform at a decent national level at a particular sport. I often ask myself what’s the point. But I guess the same can be said about almost any pursuit.
End game for me is to just do my best one day at a time with intention of getting boxing, BJJ and Muay Thai coaches so approval to fight. I had fun today.
At this point I don’t have expectations for the national level but feel any cagefight won is a significant achievement. Of course it would be nice to be the best but for me doing a complete and total focus on the sport is not monetarily worth it. Pro fighters in general don’t make that much money per fight. It’s only top UFC fighters that are millionaires. Don’t get me wrong, I give 100% to each class I attend. I’ve been on a full schedule 2 separate times before for months and it is almost all encompassing.
Like full schedule you’re doing 1 load of laundry per day and if you use wraps, those are a pain to untangle from dryer, and all of these little things add up and it pretty much seems like you’re eating sleeping and breathing the sport, as it should.
But, even with the wraps for example the Muay Thai coach doesn’t say we have to wear wraps. I unconventionally use no wraps 4oz for bag work. Sometimes I use wraps, but not lately, so even things like that help - washing one less thing.
fml it is already become full-time in a good way but really, spent 2 hours eating last night. about 40 grilled chicken chunks and 2 full salads, and 1 small salad at a bar. i’m sippin on water in the place where I usually just kill jack 'n cokes, eating like im 400lb, drinking the water like im in the sahara, just thinking about training tomorrow.
ATT has been good to me so far. Although I’m picking up these minor strains and pains on top of my double Achilles tear. I can basically only do jiu jitsu for now.
I thought I was about a blue, but never have been given blue. So I embraced humility and put on blank white as a few other guys have done who transferred from other dojos. I’m glad I did. The skill level here is insane and I’m getting dominated by high whites, blues, and have no chance against some of the purples. Granted, I mainly trained no-gi before and now I’m new to the gi and find myself getting choked by the gi and things of the like that you just don’t see with no-gi.
But, it’s good to train alongside a crew of insane people. I’m pretty nuts in terms of training and these guys are at a level higher than I am. After rolling tonight we were just in the lockerroom and this dude John was like I got kneed in the teeth and this side tooth is about to come out he said ‘I don’t give a f**k - I’m just going to go pay to get it pulled’. I’m not quite at that level, but a lot of the guys are.
I’m eating so clean as I can’t imagine training after eating processed food or crap food. So my mind and body are ‘on’ all the time. It’s great. I’m living so healthy and loving it.
As for fighting, I’m not as driven as before but mainly because I train with these guys who destroy me and I can’t imagine going in the ring so unprepared. I knew I was arrogant before, but didn’t realize how important (essential) technique is. That’s what the black belt always tells me — technique. Your strength is nothing - technique technique technique. He is right to a certain extent. But, I have avoided tap outs from a brown and a few blues in 5 min. Rounds, which is a victory for me. Some blues and purples there are crazy good, like this 170lb (155 fight weight) judo black, purdue all American wrestler who just armbars me all day. And we have this purple belt Brazilian teacher here for 6 mo who got 2nd place at the competition at Long Beach as a blue and takes out blacks here as a purple (I saw him take out a Gracie black … insane) I was like dude when are you going to put on brown? He said after competition in purple this summer.
Overall, what I have missed about being in MMA training at a real dojo is that when I fight my battles in there, it makes life so easy in the real world. For some reason when the blood or air is being cut off … I begin to think about what is important in life. God, Family, and Friends. It has given me much humility as well as peace and I feel even if I don’t do an MMA fight and compete in that arena, that at least training and grappling enable me to sharpen my skill set to fight in this game of life.
LOVED the main event!
^^Ronda! 
^ lots of Ronda fans at the bar I was at… she definitely won the popular vote.