In the realm of mixed martial arts, where victories are hard-fought and defeats are humbling, lies this indelible memory of my first fight.

My sparring mates were cheering on the sidelines and adrenaline was pumping through my veins like a rampant river as the referee’s signal started the fight and unleashed a surge of energy.

Locked in a staredown with my opponent, I was filled with nervousness until my primal instinct kicked in as we started exchanging blow after blow in the ring.

Those three rounds, each lasting a mere two minutes, became a blur of sweat-soaked intensity.

Pain throbbed in my head, my temples pulsating with every heartbeat, while my lungs desperately gasped for the sweet sustenance of air, I stood waiting for the judges to announce the result after the bout ended.

While I was glad that I didn’t end up getting KO’ed against an opponent much taller, heavier and more experienced than me, yet also worried about losing the fight on account of lacking technique.

My fear metamorphosed into reality as the judges score the bout 1 point in favour of my opponent. His hand was raised, and the sweet taste of triumph eluded me.

Although having taken MMA as a mere hobby, being the competitive guy I am, I couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed but proud of having gone the distance, leaving my mark in those gruelling six minutes.

In the aftermath, I reflected on those tumultuous six minutes, understanding that in the world of MMA, victory and defeat walk hand in hand.

As I dusted myself off, I vowed to return to the ring, armed with newfound wisdom learnt from the THREE MISTAKES I committed that day, for within the lessons lies the true essence of this exhilarating and unforgiving sport.

# 1 – The Mercy Blunder

In the midst of the intense battle, I found myself in a position of dominance.

Landing a series of striking combinations, I culminated with a bone-rattling uppercut that shook my opponent’s jaw.

Even I couldn’t help but be astounded by the power and accuracy behind my strike.

As the referee intervened, briefly separating us, an opportunity for a TKO seemed within reach.

Yet, the fight continued, and that’s when I made my first critical mistake.

With my opponent visibly dazed by my onslaught, I allowed complacency to seep in.

Believing victory was already assured, I started pulling my punches, showing mercy in a fight that seemed “destined in my favour”.

Little did I realize the consequences of this decision.

Showing mercy in the realm of combat is ultimately a sign of disrespect towards one’s opponent.

It implies doubt in their ability to fight and undermines the true essence of the sport.

By holding back, I unwittingly conveyed my weakness and provided an opening for my opponent to turn the tide, which he didn’t miss.

It not only affected my momentum but planted a seed of doubt and hesitance in my mind.

Combat is a dance of nature, where we must let our true instincts take over the body.

But when I started filtering my actions through the lens of mercy and complacency, I started doing myself a disfavour.

In the end, the mistake of showing mercy taught me a valuable lesson—respect is earned by giving my all, fighting with every fibre of my being, and never allowing doubt or hesitation to cloud my judgment.

In the ring, true warriors embody unwavering intensity, leaving no room for complacency or second-guessing.

So is true for the battle of life I believe.

As and when doubt creeps in, we lose touch with ourselves and become a puppet to the mind.

“The Mind is A Great Servant But a Wretched Master”

# 2 – The Backtrack Blunder

During the fight, whenever my opponent managed to land a solid strike, a peculiar instinct overtook me.

Instead of standing my ground, defending with tenacity and taking it like a man, I inexplicably turned my back and faced the opposite direction.

Oh, how I cringe at the memory!

Rather than facing adversity head-on, I chose a path of retreat, hoping that by evading my opponent, I could somehow escape the assault.

In hindsight, it was a grave error, one that not only painted me as a coward but also granted my opponent a surge of confidence, giving them the chance to exploit my vulnerability.

Admittedly, as a novice entering the world of combat sports, I had never before experienced the sting of a strike to my face.

The shock and disorientation caught me off guard, triggering an instinctive reaction that I now view with a mix of disappointment and self-reflection.

It’s a common tendency for us, comfort-loving creatures, to shy away from challenges rather than confront them head-on.

We instinctively seek the path of least resistance, yearning for the familiar embrace of comfort and security.

However, in doing so, we fail to recognize that our true goals lie on the other side of those difficulties.

In the context of my MMA journey, victory lay beyond those lightning-fast crosses and juggernaut hooks that my opponent skillfully delivered.

As a rookie in both the world of MMA and life itself, I succumbed to the temptation of the backseat, inadvertently showing my opponent my vulnerability and giving up my control of the fight.

The consequence was inevitable – DEFEAT – giving me a valuable lesson:

“The best way out is always through”

# 3 – The Prep Neglect Blunder

In the weeks leading up to the fight, I must confess, my focus had shifted elsewhere.

The irresistible pull of the gym had captured my attention, and I found myself loving the post-lift pump after bench pressing weight.

I became addicted to this new fitness pursuit, completely neglecting my MMA training in the process.

Though I had initially intended to strike a balance between building muscle and maintaining flexibility, I couldn’t resist the magnetic pull of the weight room.

Days turned into weeks without me slipping on my gloves, as I immersed myself in gruelling gym sessions.

Even a mere couple of days before the match, I pushed myself through an intense leg day, leaving my limbs fatigued and depleted (rookie mistake).

This lack of preparation combined with the exhaustion from relentless gym workouts, created the perfect recipe for defeat.

It became evident that I had not taken my impending match seriously or given it the respect it deserved.

“It is the choices we make today that determine the regrets or triumphs we face tomorrow.” – Epictetus

All the choices I made up until my match day were setting me up for failure.

While my thoughts were consumed with excitement and anticipation for the match, my actions betrayed a different story.

The result?

I found myself gassed out halfway through the adrenaline-fueled brawl, struggling to execute the kicks and techniques I had envisioned, burdened by the exhaustion from my gym escapades.

By failing to prepare, I was primed for failure.

And failure is what I did.

Final Words

As it is said, the first time is always special and no matter the result, I will always remember this bout.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that embracing combat sports as a hobby alongside my full-time job and side hustle has been a truly empowering decision.

It has pushed me beyond my limits, challenged me both physically and mentally, and revealed facets of my character that I never knew existed.

Before we part ways, I’d like to leave you with a quote from one of my personal favourites, Tyler Durden:

“How much can you know about yourself, if you have never been in a fight?”

This powerful statement encourages us to explore the depths of our own strength and resilience, urging us to step into the arena and discover the truths that lie within us.

No better way than voluntarily putting yourself in harm’s way and discomfort.