The morning of the fight I felt good. My nose had cleared up a bit and was now just consistently running so I felt this was a good sign. The weight cut had not really been too bad so by Friday morning I felt good and ready to go.
I ate bacon eggs and toast at Moulin Rouge Cafe in the Tenderloin with Steph (which is awesome if you've never been). I stopped by the gym to fit some headgear on (As this was my first fight head gear was mandatory). Then drove with my Buddy Steve Kuo to the event.
Steve had driven up for LA to watch me fight and to hang out. He is a 179lb fighter fighting out of The Yard in LA and is 3-0 in his amateur muay thai career thus far. A former accountant at Deloitte and an aspiring firefighter, he is one of my closest friends and an old training partner from my Claremont Jiujitsu days. Having him around calmed me down a lot.
We arrived promptly at 1:15pm and waited for the commission. At this time I had my mug shot taken. The photographer commented that for fighters we all looked pretty chunky. I guess this meant I re hydrated well! or maybe I should drop to another weight class :(
340pm and the commission still had not shown up. We sat around talking crap and admiring Calstate hayward's various random athletic pictures and trophies. We also sat and talked to Adam's opponent who was a really nice guy. We also met the ring announcer who had some colorful things to say including that Edge could teach a grasshopper to kill a spider. i think that was pretty accurate.
5pm comes around and the doors open. Finally we are shown to the back locker room for pre-fight physicals. Bebe and Edge arrived to corner us and wrap our hands and I felt that much more confident.
The entire process of physicals, waiting felt a lot like being back wrestling in Highschool. We did a walkout pre-fight ceremony and the fights began. I blew my nose and started to worry if it would affect me. I started to worry if I had done enough and if I would be able to perform. I looked at my teammates and I worried if I would disappoint them. I was a mess.
I was the fourth fight on the card and I was butterflies all the way as each fight finished. I put on my shorts and warmed up for less than a round with BeBe. As usual I had a sweat going...fast. I stayed warm and walked out to the wrong music...but I didn't really care.
At this point I did not feel very nervous or scared but anxious. I looked away from the crowd and walked slow into the ring. I thought that this walk would last a long time as many had told me but it felt actually good to finally get in. I was far from relaxed though but kept this to myself mostly. My nose felt clogged. My opponent walked in. The ref told me to follow his commands and the fight was on.
I honestly don't remember much from the fight in detail. Things came in flashes:
I remember landing my first jab and feeling good about it. I remember eating the first right from my opponent and not worrying about my nose anymore. I remember the first leg check and how much it hurt my shin. I remember kicking back and not feeling a thing. I remember how great it felt to feel my leg kicks dig into his thigh. I remember how great it felt to land my right hand. I remember how weird it felt to get rocked by a flurry but feel no pain. I remember getting muscled in the clinch. I remembered landing some knees to his body and feeling his ribs. I remember reverting to double underhooks and thinking about throwing him or taking his back (thank god I didn't do this). I remember eating a late punch and thinking wtf. I remembered hearing edges British accent telling me to kick, punch, kick, 1-2s, low kick, again, low kick again. I remember the rounds becoming shorter and shorter.
And like that it was over. I looked at edge and asked if I won. He said I did and i raised my hands up and i flexed. Bebe told me to stop flexing as i had no biceps. I stopped :). they called out my name And that was it. I won a split decision. It was great.
Jen beat her opponent up and showed some great head movement. She won as well after a little mess up on the score cards (I felt bad for her opponent but Jen deserved the win!)
Adam dominated his opponent who was much taller with his pressure and won easily. He looked on point!
It was an awesome night for the gym and it felt great.
I thanked Kru Edge and Bebe. I thanked all my friends and family. All my training partners who showed up.
I spoke to my Dad on the phone who couldnt wait to call me. He asked how it went, congratulated me, and then told me to stop fighting. I told him Id just begun but that I would take care of myself.
That night I ate some pinoy food at Geris grill and enjoyed some Ice Cold San Miguel Beer and felt relieved. Then went to the old faithful blackthorn to celebrate with some jameson shots, margaritas ($4!), and stellas.
I cant wait to do it again. A few days off and back to the gym :) I have a lot to work on including circling off, keeping my chin down, and accuracy on lowkicks.
Thank you to all who supported me.
