During this past week, I have been through ups and downs trying to secure my pro debut. During the middle of the week, I received word of a potential opportunity to fight on September 17th in Pennsylvania. While it was a bit short-notice and a distance to travel, I felt that it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. However, there was one important detail that was preventing me from accepting the fight. They wanted me to do a catch-weight of 150. I've been fighting at 155 for a while now, and while I always make the weight, the thought of another 5 pounds was a bit too much for me to accept. So we asked to push it to 155. After a few days, and no response, I figured that was the end of it.
Suddenly, on Friday, I received word back that they would do 153. I hesitated..... I had already accepted that the fight wasn't going to happen, and had removed myself from the "fighting mentality," that I put myself in when prepping for a fight. Hell, I had even spoiled my dieting, not seeing the point. That hesitation didn't last long. I knew I could make the weight. I knew that I would be ready to fight. I want this, I need this chance. This is what I've been working for, and I don't want to wait any longer. I texted Sam King back, and told him that I would accept the fight.
Now, a series of steps needs to take place. First, we are working out all the fine details of the fight, the contract stuff, etc. Like Sam told me, "The first rule of Pro Fighting is nothing is certain until you get the contract." He's right, the bottom could fall out at any time, and all this hyping up that I've been doing could just be crushed with disappointment. In the back of my mind, I know that this could happen anytime between now, and when I step into the cage.
I can't let that distract me, though. I need to snap myself into fight shape, and into my fighting weight. I contacted Joshua Ortegon at Athlete's Arena, and told him that I'd be in for a workout, and to make it awful. I contacted Joshua Miller from Gracie Barra, told him the news, and asked him if he could try to make the trip with me. He said he would make every effort too, and that's all I would ever want from him. I already have my good friends and training partners Adam Ginsburg and Tommy Watson lined up to head out there with me. I told my family about the news, and they wished me good luck.
Saturday, September 3rd:
I wake up at about 7:30, help make my kids some breakfast, get dressed, and head out the door at 8:30 to make the 30 minute trip out to Athlete's Arena. Shane puts me through a rough circuit, but I feel good and push myself through it. At 10:00, I finish up, and head back home. After visiting with the family and drinking a protein shake, I headed over to Sor Sumrit Muay Thai to work with my striking coach Nik Rodriguez. I catch a glimpse of Josh Eagans working with Nik. He looks good, and I can tell by his appearance that he's taking this next fight at 170. I can't imagine what a wrecking ball this man is going to be at 170, because he is massive, quick, explosive, and technical. Whoever is fighting him on September 10th will not be ready for him. I warm up, shadowbox, and spar several 5-minute rounds with Nik, just boxing. Feeling great, we finished up the session at 12:00. No time for rest though, it was time to teach some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I pulled everyone over to the mats, and we warmed up. I reviewed some basic techniques, and then went into a series from the guard. At the end, we finished out with some rolling, and I felt great. From standing to ground, I felt on-point. We finished up rolling, and everyone headed on to the rest of their day.
I would have loved to take a break, but that's not in the cards for a family man. I came back home and my wife was ready for me to get some jobs done around the house. This is where it takes a strong mindset to not let stress get the best of you. I went ahead and cleaned up my yard, cut my dog's hair, and wash him. I finally got the chance to take a shower and wash the stink and sweat off of me. Not to mention the dog hair that I was covered in. Now, here I am, typing up this blog before I go ahead and start on some college homework.
I wouldn't change what I do for anything. This is an incredibly motivating opportunity for me, and I am going to embrace every moment of it. Even when my wife lets me know that a husband's work is never done. I love that woman. I don't know where I would be without her, she has changed me from a man with no initiative into the successful happy father and husband that I am.
This upcoming week, I will be putting myself into "end of training camp" mode. Due to the short notice, there is no gradual build-up. Thankfully, I am not far-removed from my last amateur fight, so I am still in solid condition. I won't feel that I'm in good condition once I'm puking during Muay Thai class next week though....
However, if there's one thing that I know... it's necessary for my success.
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