Some people say it gets easier every time you step in the cage, but not me. The nerves that you conquer always come back right before you make the walk. Things could be going wrong left and right just before the fight, like you wouldn't believe. All that doesn't matter once the bell rings, it's just you and the work you put in leading up to this moment. My fourth amateur MMA bout was my toughest challenge and best win to date.

I was very confident in the lead up to this one, up until about 10 minutes before while waiting behind the curtain. I had amassed a record of 2-1 leading up to this event that just passed on June 16th 2018 which was for SparstarMMA. My training was great working with my team this camp and I felt very sharp with my technique by the end of it. I had all the confidence in the world and I would say I'm getting pretty used to the fight week process. Even after all that it was still impossible to shake those pre-fight nerves that creep into your head just before you make the walk.

So many little things were going wrong right before the fight; it all started right before fighter check-ins. My coaches were stuck in traffic and did not arrive until an hour after we needed to be down in the locker room. My hands poorly wrapped by someone else because of late arrival of my corner and were starting to fall apart backstage. As we got to the cage we found out that we needed to supply the Vaseline which was not made clear beforehand, so I had to step in without any. Little things like this could really get to somebody but I didn't let it bother me; I just wanted to get it there and start the match.

Stand Up Exchange Pic

The fight starts and all the outside factors don't matter anymore; just my skills and preparation vs my opponent's. We touch gloves and exchange on the feet almost immediately with fast strikes being lighter weight fighters. He then shot in and slammed me down right after I had connected on him; I worked my way back up only to get slammed again but this time with a guillotine sunk in. My opponent got his head out and he proceeded to rain down punches on me for which seemed like forever. I took a lot of shots but this is where training and instinct kicked in; I threw up a triangle and locked it in right away. My opponent would not go down easily and proceeded to pick me up then slam me down but that ultimately made the choke tighter. I finished the submission with only seventeen seconds left in the very first round.

Triangle Submission Pic

My fourth amateur fight was the toughest to date and best win against a very experienced opponent. Even though I have gain a lot of experience myself, it does not make everything easier inside the cage. Things can start to go wrong before you even step in and will really test your focus. I had never faced as much adversity in a fight before this one; I took the most shots and was thrown around more than ever but I did not let it phase me. Stick to your game plan, trust in your skills and your coaches is my biggest takeaway from this newest battle. I will keep training and remember to never expect for it to get easier but only for me to get better to handle all this as a mixed martial artist.

Victory Celebration Pic

- J. Miramontez





