Fighting The Nerves
People say that surrendering the outcome can help alleviate the nerves of competition.
But with MMA being so outcome-based, it can be a challenge to surrender.
What truly helps me is my belief in my training. Let’s do a scenario, for example. Remember school?
There’s a big test coming up, and this is the tale of two students.
Student A - did the homework, had a tutor, finished a practice test, had flashcards, etc.
Student B - misses assignments, doesn’t study and screws around.
Which student is going to do better? Bingo. The prepared one.
Remember what the great Muhammad Ali said:
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”
I’m supremely confident in my outcome. No stone is left unturned.
That’s how I can surrender because I truly gave every ounce of my being to WIN! 🫡
Watching Film
Fight tape. Some fighters watch a little bit while others spend a tremendous amount of time on tape studying an opponent.
Everyone has their own methods. Personally, I let my coaches watch tape. Formulate the plan for victory. Then we work the plan day-in and day-out.
I even adjust my strength and conditioning per opponent. Do we need to wrestle and work on arm fatigue? Do we need to move a lot and work fast twitch muscles?
It’s all important.
I do watch tape 1-2 weeks out though. It connects my mind and body. Helps sync everything I’ve been drilling.
Oh, that left we’ve been working? There it is. That high kick we’ve been defending? There it is.
This is my personal approach. It allows me to spend more time focusing on my own actions instead of thinking of my opponent.
The latter can be draining, to say the least. Guys have psyched themselves out doing too much.
Selective Listening
Regular people don’t always get it. That includes friends and family.
They only know what they know. Get a job, get some security. Fighting is dangerous, blah blah blah.
I don’t know what I’d be doing if I listened to the critics.
If we’re talking about success fighter-wise on the planet, by sheer number, I’m in the top 1%.
How many people do you know who really do what they want for a living? Living off their passion?
Not something that became their passion by acceptance. Real passion. The one that you know is right in your soul.
Fight life is brutal. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. There are no guarantees. You look bad when you get kicked to the curb.
But… I love it. Every bit of it. Living life on the edge.
It’s in me. You're gonna die anyway, right? So let’s have some fun and go out swangin’.
This Needs To Stop!
This needs to STOP!!! 🤬
Let’s hear it! 👇🏽
#paris2024
That ends it for this week’s MPG Letter!
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Talk soon,
Max “Pain” Griffin
Great news letter today and HELL YES these men who say they’re women should not be allowed in to WOMEN’S competition ever !!!!