The Mental Game

“Do you not get nervous?” is one of the most common questions I get asked. “What do you think – I’m stepping into a cage, where a person on the other side is trying to inflict as much damage on me as he possibly can!” is usually my response.

However, the truth is that it goes in waves and it changes over the time leading up to the fight. Every fighter (albeit in different ways) gets nervous, anxious, feels something. A fighter who tells you he doesn’t is lying. There’s a word for a person, who wouldn’t feel anything: sociopath. In fact, I know fighters who have been in the game for years – some of the toughest S.O.Bs on the planet, who throws up before every fight!

Now; every person is different and I can only speak for myself obviously. Usually, I get nervous when I sign the contract. Then during the weeks leading up to it, it’ll go in waves. However, the closer to the fight, the calmer I get for some reason. As I walk out to fight, I’m completely calm.

The Mental Game is one of the biggest parts in any sport. Some people will tell you that skill is only 50%; the rest is mental. There’s a reason to why Sport Psychology, NLP (Neuro Lingustic Programming) and other “Mental Training Tools”. Many times, the mental aspect is harder for fighters than the fight itself.

Obviously, the “Mental Game” translates into all walks of life – there’s a reason to why there’s so many “help yourself” books and seminars out there. There’s a reason why motivational speakers, such as Tony Robbins and Robert Kiyosaki are so popular. Self Discipline, self confidence, will power – it’s all part of it!

At this point, I’m getting calmer. 2 more days and the first mental barrier will have been completed; making weight. After the fight, I will explain why this weight cut (as easy as I thought it was going to be) – will be the hardest of my career. Can’t reveal everything before the actual fight, now can I!