So what is a blog without the occasional highly biased, under-researched, opinionated article? I’ll tell you what it is… boring. I have encountered quite a bit of speculation recently about MMA’s increasing acceptance into mainstream America and subsequent future. I could see a few possibilities.
Traveling to Europe, specifically the Netherlands, I saw what happens when you take up a sport that doesn’t seem to convince the mainstream that it is worthy of their time. Kickboxing in the Netherlands has a large following, and they produce a plethora of high level strikers. Yet, for a country that produces one of the highest percentages of world class fighters, it is not recognized nationally. Rather it is almost whispered about. Being a fighter can carry a bit of a stigma, as the masses make assumptions of a criminal disposition. So you have a sport that is at a high level, with a competitive people, and popular, but just under the surface of breaking out. The result is a wide variety of fight shows and promotions, multitudes of schools in every town (that are all good), underpaid fighters,

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This week I was thinking I would share a few things I learned fighting and training along the way myself. I would like to think that even if you’re not a fighter, you can apply most of this in some way. Even if you have to rearrange the words in the sentences to make entirely new sentences, technically, I will still take credit.

Never plan on your next workout being the hard one. Too many times I would hold back working as hard as I could, assuming that things were going to happen as planned. If all the guys you workout with swear up and down that they are coming back later in the day for a hard session, and you pull back thinking you’ll need to save your energy – don’t. I think when you’re at the gym and sweating, give it your all with the scenario at hand, who knows how the next workout is going to shape up, work hard for yourself when the opportunity is there.

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Hey there fight fans. I just wanted to keep everyone updated on my lack of pugilistic activity recently. As you may know, for the second time I was forced off yet another fight card, this time due to a shoulder injury I sustained training. This is definitely not how I wanted to start my UFC career, it seems my post TUF life has come with no shortage of obstacles. It’ll be good for building character right? I guess it just goes along with my theme of taking the hardest road possible, purposefully or otherwise. In some ways being off the radar so long is one of the bigger detriments to my career, arguably worse than the injuries themselves. I am in no way intending to come off like I’m seeking some sort of pity-party, so I’ll leave it at that.

Congratulations to Nick Catone who was still able to fight, and won his UFC debut. The only thing worse than not fighting is when its through no fault of your own, and I’m glad he didn’t get sucked into my run of bad luck anymore than necessary.

So I’m fresh out of surgery, and feeling good. The situation so far is encouraging, it went well and turned out to be the best case scenario. Of course time will be the ultimate factor, but I am uncharacteristically optimistic so far. Hmmm, maybe I should cut that crap out.

I do want to say thanks and express how truly touched I am at all the resounding support and well wishes I have receiv ed as always, and especially as of late. I always hold myself accountable for the tribulations in my life, recently being no exception. In a time where it’s hard to describe my outlook as anything other than bleak, I am lucky to be surrounded by such good friends, fans, and family.
I am constantly encouraged by all the people that have really stood by me, and wish to see me back in action soon. Also I am fortunate to have great sponsors that have stuck by me as well, Sprawl and Tapout. I resolve to show you all how much it meant to me, and hopefully soon.