To become a Victor in every endeavour of life, one has to shift the gears and be at a level higher than competitors or opponents. The diligence needed for success is not to be understated, that is why constant practice or training becomes the recipe for success. And in the specialisation of combat sports, the same routine must be followed strictly in anticipation of success.
Processes are never fun, they are outrightly tedious and straining. The journey is there to test the resolve of whoever is willing to dare. Sometimes, giving up looks attractive whenever the doubts begin to creep in. While the body is being trained physically, the mind is also trained. Combat sport is as hard as they come.
The build-up leading up to the fight is as interesting as the fight itself. The amount of workout into the physical conditioning of the athlete to make the weight, the stare down and mind games in the promotions all take a toll on the personal life of the fighter who literally eats, breathes and sleeps the challenge that lies in wait. The career uncertainty that comes with a defeat is also enough to cause some sleepless nights as the stakes are heightened.
After all is said and done, and the fight day is upon everyone, the emotions are different. Anxiety levels are high with uncertainties renting the air. The coaches and the members of the backroom staff remind the athlete of the importance of the fight and reiterate that one mistake can end it all for either party in the squared circle. At this point, a push is aggressively demanded to turn to shove and even more by the referee.
As the noise in the arena becomes louder, the warriors oblige the fans and begin to put on a show— plying their trade with the expected expertise.
A combat arena is a fighting market where shades of violence such as punches, kicks, submission and manoeuvres, defence and takedowns and the likes are traded in a bid to impress the judges and fans. Trust me, all is fair in this vicious love affair between the celebrated rumblers. A fight can end in a flash if an opponent is outwitted. This sport doesn’t offer many second chances. Precision and endurance are needed in order to stand a chance of being a Victor.
Every fight has one of the following outcomes— a win, loss or draw. While winning gives the ultimate bragging rights and increases the ratings of the winner, all fights must be approached with fine artistry. And why wouldn’t a win be so celebrated, considering what’s in store for the winner? Incentives such as endorsements and a step towards financial stability are some of the rewards for claiming a scalp.
But for a lesson in humility, some moralists who happen to enjoy what many would regard as a cruel sport would rather prefer that the victors should be magnanimous in victory. Thereby subduing every tinge of boastfulness and pride after such a rollercoaster of emotions the winner of a bout has been through.
As earlier stated, all is fair in vicious combat. And by no means is it a gentleman’s sport whereby moral codes apply in the application of work. It’s a deadly sport and everyone in it can take almost anything on the chin. The emotions that dominate the participants are of the darker shades of humanity. So it is rather surprising for anyone to expect that vile confrontations in the ring would always end up in kisses and hugs. Rather, what is more viable is a proper show of respect between the opponents by the offering of a handshake. Nevertheless, that’s even not a guarantee if it is a grudge match with lots of trash-talking going on before the fight.
To add, some fights are mere money fights while some are money fights spiced up with personal scores to settle or breaking of a tie between two warriors who had squared up a couple of times without a clear Victor. Whatever the fight is about, emotions should not be regulated as every emotion seen is valid and justified owing to the buildup of a fight. It is simply a celebration of hard work that has eventually paid off. Being magnanimous in victory is classy but a choice of grace. Expecting that from everyone is ridiculously setting the bar too high.