First fight nerves

[Daddy D]

Been training MMA for near a year now, A pro fighter I train with has suggested I have my first Amatuer fight in Feb . Im not shitting my shorts or anything, but a few butterflies are fluttering. Im excited and obviously looking forward to the experiance. Anyone else in a similar position.:D

[ReD_mIst]

Essentially fear is adrenalin, which comes in many forms. You are currently feeling slow release.

As with most things, knowledge is power... so I suggest you do some research in to what 'fear' is. Once you understand what is physically happeniing and you have some techniques for handling it, you will feel much better. Remember, ALL fighters feel this.

I can suggest two books:

Fear: The friend of exceptional people by Geoff Thompson
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fear-Friend-Exceptional-Techniques-Controlling/dp/1840241934/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074164&sr=1-2

It's quite lightweight, you will read it in no time at all, but it will be highly beneficial

a slightly more in depth read is Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feel-Fear-Anyway-Indecision-Confidence/dp/0091907071/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074260&sr=1-1

[Daddy D]

Thanks, Ill do just that. Is that Geoff Thompson the doorman/Judo bloke.
Ive just looked at amazon and watch my back is the book Ive read.

[ReD_mIst]

Yes, it is that Geoff Thompson.

[andyt1992]

Essentially fear is adrenalin, which comes in many forms. You are currently feeling slow release.

As with most things, knowledge is power... so I suggest you do some research in to what 'fear' is. Once you understand what is physically happeniing and you have some techniques for handling it, you will feel much better. Remember, ALL fighters feel this.

I can suggest two books:

Fear: The friend of exceptional people by Geoff Thompson
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fear-Friend-Exceptional-Techniques-Controlling/dp/1840241934/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074164&sr=1-2

It's quite lightweight, you will read it in no time at all, but it will be highly beneficial

a slightly more in depth read is Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Feel-Fear-Anyway-Indecision-Confidence/dp/0091907071/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230074260&sr=1-1

i know this is a bit off topic but do you know what a good book for looking back at submissions/ holds you've learnt is. like an mma handbook/ reference book sort of thing?

[Luke]

1st fight is always nerve wracking. Have a few fights under your belt then after a while it's no big deal, it's just like going to the toilet.

[ReD_mIst]

i know this is a bit off topic but do you know what a good book for looking back at submissions/ holds you've learnt is. like an mma handbook/ reference book sort of thing?

Theres loads of books for this sort of thing. The Eddie Bravo books are good. I also have a couple of Gracie Sub wrestling books. The was a book called the Fighters Notebook. It was massive and expensive, but to be honest it is a bit dated.

When I first started MMA, I made my own note book. After training, I would then make my own notes on the techniques I learnt..... not idea where it is now though. Might be a good idea to start your own and bring it to the club.

[spartan4621]

i had my first amateure fight december gone. i remember thinking the old cheesey line that the hard thing is training and the fun thing is fighting. when you get in the cage the nerves go and you enjoy it. i won my fight and i suppose uk mma is like heroine. addictive. i have my next fight feb 14th and cant wait, enjoy the expierience m8, wots the worst that can happen.

[Daddy D]

Congrats, well done and best of luck in future fights, (that about covers it). Its gonna be a busy weekend, off to see Joe Rogan doing his comic act Friday night, UFC 95 on Saturday night and then on Sunday its time to put the training to the test. With a bit of luck it could be my best weekend ever.... if everything goes to plan. I might even see if the wife fancies a little grapple when the kids go to bed, no gi of coarse.

[Sammo27]

Best of luck mate takes some balls to get in there. How many times a week do you train just out of intrest? Only asking as i've literally just started up a few weeks back.

Also where is Rogan doing his standup show?

[Jamie Taylor]

Before my first amateur fight I was the most nervous I had EVER been.

Although I thought in my mind ' whats the worst that can happen, its only amateur you wont get hurt ' ..I picked up the worst injury I have ever had in that very fight :(

Once you get in there though the nerves go and you will love every second of it ( unless you're getting beaten up / choked etc ) lol.

Good luck with it pal.

[Daddy D]

**replying to SAMMO** I train at two different places "Kita Ogawa MMA", and at "Ripped Gym MMA", both in Harlow. Both clubs are twice a week, but being married with 2 young kids, it gets hard to be out 4 nights a week training, so mostly I train 3 times a week and 4 if i can. I have a multi gym at home and a cross trainer so if Im not out training, Im upstairs getting sweaty.
My mate is getting the tickets tomorrow for Joe Rogan, I just rung him and he said its on at the London leicester square theatre. I just googled it and found it straight away (moveeverything.com) so its easy to find.

[Daddy D]

Before my first amateur fight I was the most nervous I had EVER been.

Although I thought in my mind ' whats the worst that can happen, its only amateur you wont get hurt ' ..I picked up the worst injury I have ever had in that very fight :(

Once you get in there though the nerves go and you will love every second of it ( unless you're getting beaten up / choked etc ) lol.

Good luck with it pal.

LOL. I feel much better now thanks.

[Waterboy]

Few random pieces of advice for you...

Get all the kit you'll be wearing in your fight together as far ahead of time as possible. Any gumshield, shorts, cup, strapping, kneepads etc etc. Train/spar in them as much as possible leading up to your fight. You don't want any surprises from your kit on the day of the race; the experience will be foreign enough as it is without adding more odd new things to your day.

Don't let every man and his dog be milling round you in the dressing room before. Have as many or as few people around you that make you feel comfortable - no more, no less. Often lots of people who don't know the fight game mooching about asking you questions like "aren't you afraid you'll break something", or "what if you get choked out" aren't conducive to the right mindset.

When you get in the cage or ring, look around, breath in and smell the air, listen to the crowd, feel how the mat feels under your feet. Basically try and get all of your senses used to where you are. It can feel other-worldly the first few times in there and the more you let your body know this is real, the better.

Breathe. Seriously, I've forgotten to do it on a number of occasions. "Tom, fucking breathe, you've gone purple!!!"

Most importantly, enjoy it, relax, and don't get too hung up on the result. Of course you want to put your heart and soul into getting the win, but the reason you have Amateur and Semi Pro fights are for ring experience, not to build up some fearsome 10-0 record.

All the best.

[shakus maximus]

Few random pieces of advice for you...

Get all the kit you'll be wearing in your fight together as far ahead of time as possible. Any gumshield, shorts, cup, strapping, kneepads etc etc. Train/spar in them as much as possible leading up to your fight. You don't want any surprises from your kit on the day of the race; the experience will be foreign enough as it is without adding more odd new things to your day.

Don't let every man and his dog be milling round you in the dressing room before. Have as many or as few people around you that make you feel comfortable - no more, no less. Often lots of people who don't know the fight game mooching about asking you questions like "aren't you afraid you'll break something", or "what if you get choked out" aren't conducive to the right mindset.

When you get in the cage or ring, look around, breath in and smell the air, listen to the crowd, feel how the mat feels under your feet. Basically try and get all of your senses used to where you are. It can feel other-worldly the first few times in there and the more you let your body know this is real, the better.

Breathe. Seriously, I've forgotten to do it on a number of occasions. "Tom, fucking breathe, you've gone purple!!!"

Most importantly, enjoy it, relax, and don't get too hung up on the result. Of course you want to put your heart and soul into getting the win, but the reason you have Amateur and Semi Pro fights are for ring experience, not to build up some fearsome 10-0 record.

All the best.

excellent post.

[DrAgOn]

Few random pieces of advice for you...

Get all the kit you'll be wearing in your fight together as far ahead of time as possible. Any gumshield, shorts, cup, strapping, kneepads etc etc. Train/spar in them as much as possible leading up to your fight. You don't want any surprises from your kit on the day of the race; the experience will be foreign enough as it is without adding more odd new things to your day.

Don't let every man and his dog be milling round you in the dressing room before. Have as many or as few people around you that make you feel comfortable - no more, no less. Often lots of people who don't know the fight game mooching about asking you questions like "aren't you afraid you'll break something", or "what if you get choked out" aren't conducive to the right mindset.

When you get in the cage or ring, look around, breath in and smell the air, listen to the crowd, feel how the mat feels under your feet. Basically try and get all of your senses used to where you are. It can feel other-worldly the first few times in there and the more you let your body know this is real, the better.

Breathe. Seriously, I've forgotten to do it on a number of occasions. "Tom, fucking breathe, you've gone purple!!!"

Most importantly, enjoy it, relax, and don't get too hung up on the result. Of course you want to put your heart and soul into getting the win, but the reason you have Amateur and Semi Pro fights are for ring experience, not to build up some fearsome 10-0 record.

All the best.

agreed good post especially about getting in the cage taking a deep breath and soaking up the atmosphere. best part for me

[Daddy D]

Thanks a lot, I really apreciate the advice.

[steve_langford]

great post Tom.

[Sp1derdean]

When i competed in my first fight i trained really hard and i drew both fights but the nerves leading up to the fight were bad until i got in the ring....once i was in there i concentrated on the guy in front of me as long as you get focused and train hard the hard work should pay off! Good luck for your fight aswell butt :)

[Daddy D]

:D Cheers mate.

[IranianWarMachine]

I found doing kickboxing comps or any comps in general are good practice to handle nerves hell i get nervous before a tennis match as much as i do before fighting, its competition wanting win brings out of you, at the start you'll feel nervous but so will your opponent best to just walm(can't believe i forgot how to spell) into the fight with a nice jab few low kicks and relax its all fun from there unless your opponent attacks like a madman which happens often in british fights.

[andyt1992]

...The was a book called the Fighters Notebook. It was massive and expensive, but to be honest it is a bit dated...

I think i'll give that one a miss it nearly £100 on amazon.

[iandean]

i had my first amateure fight december gone. i remember thinking the old cheesey line that the hard thing is training and the fun thing is fighting. when you get in the cage the nerves go and you enjoy it. i won my fight and i suppose uk mma is like heroine. addictive. i have my next fight feb 14th and cant wait, enjoy the expierience m8, wots the worst that can happen.

UK MMA is like Heroin....nothing good ever comes out of it !

[shakus maximus]

UK MMA is like Heroin....nothing good ever comes out of it !

yup but we cant help wanting more

[MMAddict]

Although this he isn't talkin about first fight nerves, Frank Mir talking about pre fight nerves is a great watch and reassuring that nerves can get hold of a UFC champ;
http://http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P7FrTkM2SXY

[Daddy D]

Although this he isn't talkin about first fight nerves, Frank Mir talking about pre fight nerves is a great watch and reassuring that nerves can get hold of a UFC champ;
http://http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P7FrTkM2SXY

This link doesnt work for me.
I bought Feal the fear .. and do it anyway (as advised in an earlier reply). Its a bit of an American self help book, but I did find it interesting.
Feeling good about the fight now that my weight is 188lbs, fighting middle so gotta get to 185lb, nearly a month to go so looking good. :cool:

[fightalex]

Been training MMA for near a year now, A pro fighter I train with has suggested I have my first Amatuer fight in Feb . Im not shitting my shorts or anything, but a few butterflies are fluttering. Im excited and obviously looking forward to the experiance. Anyone else in a similar position.:D

I had my first fight experience last october in Berlin (you can see the video). I was nervous until the weight-in when I meet my opponent, Jaime Palou. The dude was so friendly that any stress just went out...
Of course, I still had some apprehension and some weird feelings when it came to appear in front of a motivated crowd, and when I see my opponent in front of me in the ring, with mean eyes :))

Being nervous is normal but you'll see, in the moment you live the event that this is good stress and that you will just love doing what you're doing

[Captain cage man]

I had alot of nerves first time round but it eased up second time

[Daddy D]

I had alot of nerves first time round but it eased up second time

You gonna have a third fight.

[gibble10]

UK MMA is like Heroin....nothing good ever comes out of it !


its more like crack one hit and you are hooked for life:p

[Daddy D]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I had my fight yesterday and won via guilatine in the first round. I even remembered to breath. Loved it.