Last Saturday was my third MMA fight. The event was put on by Destiny, a local MMA and combat sports event. With 21 fights on the night it was a pretty big event. The day started off with a little trepidation as I found out that my opponent had been changed last minute because my original opponent apparently did not get his blood work done or turned in. Either way, the person I had been preparing for was not going to be facing me in the ring. And while I knew very little about him, I knew absolutely nothing about the person who replaced him.
I was told that the person I was going to fight was doing his first fight (but then I was told my original opponent was doing his first fight and yet teammates had watched him fight in Maui months earlier) and was supposed to be fighting at 135, but didnt want to cut the weight, so wanted to fight at 145 instead. His opponent supposedly ended up in the hospital the morning of the fight and so we were both at 145 without a match. So the change was made and the game was held in place because I didnt have anything else to work with. The only thing I heard was that he would probably be better on the ground than on his feet, which was true.
Suffice it to say, he did not get back up. Not for a while and was helped out of the ring. I talked to him after the fight and he said that he didnt remember getting hit, just came to and it was over. Now I am running a nice 4-fight win steak with the last 2 by KO. A little work on my ground game, and not getting kicked in the face and hopefully I can make that 3 KO's in a row.
After the fight I felt pretty good. My shoulder was incredibly sore and unable to be raised above my head. But that dissipated quickly, by the next day it was almost 100%, today its fine. Hands are fine. A few leg and rib spots clearly got hit, but no pain. Just my nose and jaw still showing any signs that I was in a fight. Swelling has mostly gone away from the nose. Jaw is still a little off, but solid food is back on the menu, so thats a good sign. Going to BJJ today, but going to take it easy. A couple more days rest and then back to the grind. School and work toward the next BJJ belt and stripe ceremony. November is another half-marathon, so time to start running again. And time to focus on my wrestling so I can be confident standing and on the ground.
I was told that the person I was going to fight was doing his first fight (but then I was told my original opponent was doing his first fight and yet teammates had watched him fight in Maui months earlier) and was supposed to be fighting at 135, but didnt want to cut the weight, so wanted to fight at 145 instead. His opponent supposedly ended up in the hospital the morning of the fight and so we were both at 145 without a match. So the change was made and the game was held in place because I didnt have anything else to work with. The only thing I heard was that he would probably be better on the ground than on his feet, which was true.
The fight didnt start well. That kick landed in the first 20 seconds or so and was the first real connection of the fight. I was planning the high straight kick to the face. But not till later in the fight, I mean who starts with that? My opponent apparently, and it worked. Thankfully, after employing my face-to-your-foot style I was able to take him down and land some decent ground and pound. Round 1 was pretty back and forth. I didnt feel like I was getting the better of the ground exchanges and wasnt really able to keep it standing for long enough to get started.
Second round started a little better with a clinch leading to a side suplex, but my time on top was short lived and was rolled. After going back and forth on the ground and spending most of the time on my back I was finally able to get back to my feet and have the fight stood back up. I didnt feel confident that I would take a decision and knew I could win the stand up, so I went for it. Soon as he was up, I ran in with a flying knee. And it connected, not sure where, wasnt clean, but it knocked him back, clinched up, fired several knees, one or two landed flush and then a punch exchange. Right cross connected and he dropped. Looking down I was pretty sure he was out and the fight was over. First thought, hands up and walk off triumphant. That lasted about half a second. Second thought, drop a bomb and be positive he is not getting back up. If he got back up and managed to end the round and pulled a decision, I would have been pissed. So I dove and dropped the right a second time square on the jaw.
After the fight I felt pretty good. My shoulder was incredibly sore and unable to be raised above my head. But that dissipated quickly, by the next day it was almost 100%, today its fine. Hands are fine. A few leg and rib spots clearly got hit, but no pain. Just my nose and jaw still showing any signs that I was in a fight. Swelling has mostly gone away from the nose. Jaw is still a little off, but solid food is back on the menu, so thats a good sign. Going to BJJ today, but going to take it easy. A couple more days rest and then back to the grind. School and work toward the next BJJ belt and stripe ceremony. November is another half-marathon, so time to start running again. And time to focus on my wrestling so I can be confident standing and on the ground.
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