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Short notice and long words
24 Sep 2008 12:46PM
It’s been very interesting reading some of the comments written about my last 2 posts, it’s nice to get positive feedback. I’ve also had some nice compliments from team mates about my style of writing, the best being “I didn’t think you could write like that considering the way you speak!” It might have something to do with my excessive abuse, piss taking and trash talk at training to be fair. But let’s be honest if I minced around at training using words like ‘erudite’, ‘loquacious’ or ‘pedagogue’ there’d be some scratched heads open mouths. N’est ce – pas? (http://www.yourdictionary.com/n-est-ce-pas for those who don’t know).
Everyone knows no one like that could be an MMA fighter.
I was hoping to have posted earlier in the week about preparing for a fight (on short notice) on Saturday, but as of now I don’t have an opponent. This threw up some interesting conversations at training on Monday and Tuesday about whether to fight or not with so little time to get our collective head round it. Essentially the 3 guys who coach me have 3 different attitudes. One has the opinion of “it’s up to you… just smash him” (David). Another is far more conservative and unsure, he’s confident in my ability but sometimes worries a little too much about the opposition (Matt). The third guy handles the promoters and acts as my, what you could only describe as a ‘manager’ as well, he is much more on my wavelength (Pep) which is “I’ll fight anyone, but some opponents need more preparation than others”.
Now the problem we had was that at the time we had no idea whatsoever about whom I’d be matched with which made Matt twitchy as hell. I don’t think he was keen for me to fight at such short notice, as I suspect he felt I could’ve done with more preparation for fighting Rocci 2 weeks ago (on 8 days notice) and didn’t fancy me chancing my arm again so quickly. Pep seemed much more positive and was keen for me to fight provided the opponent was ‘right’. I must stress that we were not looking for an easy match up; I’d much prefer to be challenged. Fighting against a ‘gimme’ opponent wouldn’t help me or anyone else, plus I have a perverse enjoyment for getting knocked about.
With all these opinions flying about and the inevitable tuppence worth of advice from team mates I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, cry or crap myself today. I had the odd flush of adrenaline thinking about the phantom fight, minor irritation at being kept hanging on, head shaking amusement at my own sense (or lack of) at fighting with so little notice and the frustration of not being able to answer the persistent questioning and comments at work “who are you fighting?”, “are you fighting?”, “where are you fighting?”, etc, etc.
Even now, sitting here I don’t know for sure if I’ll be getting in the ring in just under 72 hours or not!!!! It’s very, very odd. I want to fight. I really, really want to… but I know I’ll get an hour from the fight and once again think “What am I doing!?!” J
Despite their comedy act pre fight cornering I really appreciate all the help Matt Whetton, Peppe Ianucci and David George have given me over the last 2 years. MMA has changed my life in many, many positive ways. Thanks guys.
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