How to get back into competing (MMA related).

[Goat Meal]

I chose to post this in here, just because I'm a stand-up guy and frequent this forum the most. I have an ecclectic background in martial arts, starting from the age of 7. I did Karate, Kempo, and TKD off and on up until I was 16 and then did two years of MT. I have about 1 year of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I'm stationed down here at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. I had my first MMA fight 12 days before Hurricane Katrina. Before the storm, I planned to compete frequently, but the storm put the entire Gulf Coast on it's head. When I came back from evacuation I didn't have a place to train anymore. I took about a year off (almost a year to the day, actually) and now I'm training with Alan Belcher with much better sparring partners and instruction.

So I've been back 3 months and I've already been asked to fight a few times. I feel that I'm really not ready, because I'm not happy with my cardio and my ground game. Just lately I've been working on upping the level of my cardio, because during a hard sparring session I realized I just didn't have enough gas in the tank. That's my biggest worry really. My BJJ is always a work in progress and it is coming along pretty good. I feel like I've learned a lot in the year that I've been grappling.

I guess my question is, should I just make the plunge and start competing again or give myself more time? When I get asked to fight I get rushed with a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement, happiness, nervousness, anxiousness, etc. I'm wondering, is this a mental barrier I have to get over or am I really just not ready to fight again.

Sorry if this is long. It's just something I've been thinking about and I know a lot of fighters post in this particular forum.

 

[Goat Meal]

ttt

 

[sugarboyae]

train specifically for a lot of TDD and clinch work.

but in general, if you know who you are fighting -- train for fighting that particular opponent. attacking his weakness, avoiding his strength and defending it when necessary.

 

[Orsyn]

Seriously, although I am not a fighter, except my exhibition boxing matches, if you feel that your cardio is not where you want it to be, I wouldn't take it. I would train until you feel your cardio is where it should be. Afterall, let's say you do take the fight and you gas and lose ( not saying you will just saying as a 'what if') then it may impact you negativly and you might lose the desire to compete. as you know, cardio is very important, look at BJ penn and his cardio not being where it could have been. I would say give yourself a few more months, then go for it.

 

[Jason Rhodes]

I would say it depends on what kind of person you are. For me, I would take a fight. Worse case, you lose. For me, that would only make me train harder and motivate me more. But if you are someone who would get discouraged (not saying you are), then I would wait a little. It does sound like you will have plenty of opportunities to come, but I know sometimes you never know when you will get a chance to fight, and if that's the case, who knows when the next opportunity will come, jump at this one. Good luck with whatever route you take!

 

[JackLancewell]

Again, BJ penn separated his rib during one of his transitions during Matt Hughes, not because of his cardio.

And I dont have ring experience, but if you think you are up for it, try it. Worst case scenario-You lose, turn whatever mistakes you made into improvements. I'd do it if I were you, and competing tests you out to show both you and the world how you are at the moment.

 

[Orsyn]

Again, BJ penn separated his rib during one of his transitions during Matt Hughes, not because of his cardio.

And I dont have ring experience, but if you think you are up for it, try it. Worst case scenario-You lose, turn whatever mistakes you made into improvements. I'd do it if I were you, and competing tests you out to show both you and the world how you are at the moment.

actually the BJ comment wasn't in regards to the hughes fight, I know that he was injured.