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- Mar 12, 2017
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Sorry ahead of time for how lengthy this is but any insight will be much appreciated.
I've been training Muay Thai for 4 months now and just joined a new gym 2 weeks ago and started training BJJ and MMA. I know this sounds crazy but I am actually considering an ammy MMA debut in less than 3 weeks. I was offered an opportunity by someone I spar with at my fitness gym in my hometown so it is in no way through my gym.
My gym has many fighters that fight for the promotion involved and 4 of them just fought at there last event. The thing is the promotion has all of there shows in GR which is about 1hr from where I live and also where my new gym is. The event in a few weeks is one that only comes around every few years and takes place in my hometown on the deck of an USS LST war ship from WWII that participated in the Invasion of Normandy (the famous D-Day battle). The fact that I only get one first fight ever and the event is so unique is what appeals to me and makes it so tempting.
I dont think anyone from my gym is participating since its a mostly ammy event and not in GR where all there other events are. Plus seating is super limited, like a few hundred people tops. Therefore I wouldnt even ask my coaches to be in my corner, in fact I probably wouldnt even let them know about it. Is this terrible etiquette for someone who just joined the gym to take a fight behind there back? I just know my skills are no where near where they'd endorse me fighting and I dont want them to feel obligated to give me extra attention because of it. Most of all I dont want to disappoint them.
My striking is fairly good and I have solid stamina as I have been training 1.5hrs a day for 4 months with the addition of 1hr cardio (stairs, treadmill) and then 45min of either lifting or bag work. I have actually been lifting hard for 4 years now so im fairly athletic and put on 30lbs of muscle over the years. I am 5'9 160lbs and would fight down at 145lbs.
The promoter is a respectable promotion that my gym has used as a primary outlet and my gym has put people into the UFC before and has many pro fighters so I am not so much worried about it being a shady promotion that is going to give me a mismatch or un-safe officiating.. I am confident and anxious to test what I got. I have been in street fights and love the adrenaline and the animal it brings out in me but I have no competitive experience with any discipline. I know from Training alone this sport is for me so I dont need this fight to confirm that, its just the opportunity. Hometown, the outside fight on a war ship turned museum, and I cant help but feel like the time is now to start getting experience. I just graduated from Michigan State last month (why I joined a new gym) and am back home now looking for a job. So right now I can put all my focus into this while I wait on finding a job.
So the insight I seek isn't related to should I take the fight because I already know its not a good idea. But just how bad of an idea is it? I have virtually no grappling experience but I am very strong and know enough of the basics to hold my own (choke submissions, BJJ positions, sprawling on takedowns, clinch technique). What I also want to know is how should I handle my gym if I take this fight? Will they be offended if they come to find out I took this fight without telling them? Will they be angry at me taking one so quickly with lack of experience? Id like to think I can keep it a secret but for all I know we might have some other fighters in the event that will prompt them to be there. They usually release the card months ahead of time but its a strange event so I have no clue if my gym will be repping already or not.
Opinions?
I've been training Muay Thai for 4 months now and just joined a new gym 2 weeks ago and started training BJJ and MMA. I know this sounds crazy but I am actually considering an ammy MMA debut in less than 3 weeks. I was offered an opportunity by someone I spar with at my fitness gym in my hometown so it is in no way through my gym.
My gym has many fighters that fight for the promotion involved and 4 of them just fought at there last event. The thing is the promotion has all of there shows in GR which is about 1hr from where I live and also where my new gym is. The event in a few weeks is one that only comes around every few years and takes place in my hometown on the deck of an USS LST war ship from WWII that participated in the Invasion of Normandy (the famous D-Day battle). The fact that I only get one first fight ever and the event is so unique is what appeals to me and makes it so tempting.
I dont think anyone from my gym is participating since its a mostly ammy event and not in GR where all there other events are. Plus seating is super limited, like a few hundred people tops. Therefore I wouldnt even ask my coaches to be in my corner, in fact I probably wouldnt even let them know about it. Is this terrible etiquette for someone who just joined the gym to take a fight behind there back? I just know my skills are no where near where they'd endorse me fighting and I dont want them to feel obligated to give me extra attention because of it. Most of all I dont want to disappoint them.
My striking is fairly good and I have solid stamina as I have been training 1.5hrs a day for 4 months with the addition of 1hr cardio (stairs, treadmill) and then 45min of either lifting or bag work. I have actually been lifting hard for 4 years now so im fairly athletic and put on 30lbs of muscle over the years. I am 5'9 160lbs and would fight down at 145lbs.
The promoter is a respectable promotion that my gym has used as a primary outlet and my gym has put people into the UFC before and has many pro fighters so I am not so much worried about it being a shady promotion that is going to give me a mismatch or un-safe officiating.. I am confident and anxious to test what I got. I have been in street fights and love the adrenaline and the animal it brings out in me but I have no competitive experience with any discipline. I know from Training alone this sport is for me so I dont need this fight to confirm that, its just the opportunity. Hometown, the outside fight on a war ship turned museum, and I cant help but feel like the time is now to start getting experience. I just graduated from Michigan State last month (why I joined a new gym) and am back home now looking for a job. So right now I can put all my focus into this while I wait on finding a job.
So the insight I seek isn't related to should I take the fight because I already know its not a good idea. But just how bad of an idea is it? I have virtually no grappling experience but I am very strong and know enough of the basics to hold my own (choke submissions, BJJ positions, sprawling on takedowns, clinch technique). What I also want to know is how should I handle my gym if I take this fight? Will they be offended if they come to find out I took this fight without telling them? Will they be angry at me taking one so quickly with lack of experience? Id like to think I can keep it a secret but for all I know we might have some other fighters in the event that will prompt them to be there. They usually release the card months ahead of time but its a strange event so I have no clue if my gym will be repping already or not.
Opinions?
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