Fianna's ROT Fight analysis 2

FiannaGym.com

Hi everyone.

First off, I know a lot of people will have no interest in this, but I got good replies from the last fight analysis I posted.


The last time, I won. This time I lost. And congratulations to Kevin McAlonan who did the job I wanted to do last night. I dont want to take anything away from him because he left no doubt who the better man was last night.

http://fiannagym.com/ROT6.wmv its from a mobile phone (Thanks Dave)

So this is just me, once again giving some insight into what goes on emotionally and mentaly, pre, during and post, the fight.

So as usual I was injured training for this fight, but that had nothing to do with the outcome this time. I felt fine by the time Wednesday rolled around. I was relaxed all the way up until Saturday and even then I only got a little bit of nerves... until about 5. Then I started getting really nervous. Now, here is mistake number 1; I tried to put myself in as relaxed settings as possible... after the Dr meeting I went home, to relax. I thought this would stop me burning energy getting all worked up.

By the time I had warmed up and got in the ring my nerves were through the fight. Even before hand I asked Drummo if you just forget about nerves because I had never felt like this before. There was no excitement about getting in the ring, no passion. I just wanted the thing over and done with.

In the ring. I had heard Kevin had knocked a couple of people out so I wanted the take down and it came a little too easy. Mistake number 2; I sort of coasted onto the matt but Kevin scrambled and landed in a good tight guard. As I tried the pass Kevin got the sweep, I cant beleive he got it and rather than dealing with it I was saying "I cant beleive he got it, he feels heavy" So I gave my back, he took the choke. I defended the choke, I was thinking about how similar this fight was to Drummo V Cooperman, I was thinking about my last fight and escaping the RNC, I was thinking we were very close to the ropes, I was thinking Dave Jones had beefed up as he said "protect yourself" and then Kevin hit my a couple of times in the head and I thought "wow they actually rock you" and "Thats the first time Ive been hit in the head in a fight". I kept tryin to escape, sort of half assed attempts but mostly Kevin was doing a better job at attacking.

When I was about to tap I couldn't beleive it. It felt so weird.

Anyway, since then I have been going through all the little mistakes I made, all the things I could have done and really I am in a bad place. My state of mind is terrible, I hardly slept last night. Having never had to come to terms like this I'm finding it really hard. I feel like I let so many people down and it was all down to letting my nerves get to me.

I don't want to take anything away from Kevin for that, he didn't let his nerves get to him, which as we can see is like having trained well or having a good guard, its part of the game and he did it a lot better than me.

Things I have learned:
My 2 good performances have been "away". In Belfast and in Scotland. I think that when I am away I have nothing to distract me, or to calm me falsly... Instead I am forced to focus on the fight, control my nerves and get excited about what I am going to do.

Second, get more skillful!

Hopefully I will learn how to deal with a lose better than I am too. I'll let you know how that goes...

Props to Kevin and all the other fighters at ROT. Major thanks to JK for runnin everything and helping me. Thanks to the judges, timekeepers, MC, guys on the door, the guys in the Dressing room and everyone else.

Peace

arybvtcw0eolkf

Great post.

A loss is sh*t, I've had more than I've won or pretty much 50/50.

As someone who's been cornerman/coach in two R.O.T.'s (first was a win, second a loss) [plus many years both competing and coaching kickboxing] I can tell you now that no one feels you've let them down.

I could go on, but really at this stage words will be lost on you.

Take a few days to yourself, give your coach a ring for a chat and be honest about your feelings with him, I bet he's proud as f*ck of ya!.

'Onwards and upwards'..

dlofnep

You learn more from your losses than your wins. It takes a special person to step into the ring, not anyone can do it. That alone in itself is an accomplishment. Sorry about the loss, but I'm sure you'll spring back from it. Thanks for the insight.

Millionaire

Thats an exellent post and gives great insight.

You were in the ring, that means you got balls, win or loose. I think anyone who gets into the ring, is a winner regardless.

I guess nerves is a very common thing. I a lad from our camp was fighting last night, and he had the runs since the night before. he was not aware of how nervous one can be. first time I ever fought in the ring (as opposed to smaller tournaments) I could not undertand the amount of running to the loo, everyone was at....even the seasoned lads. Me, I always wanted to just get in, and get the thing over with too...I now how you feel. maybe thats why I never overly enjoyed getting into the ring in front of a crowd.

Anyway your human...no one is going to score 10/10 all the time. put it down to experience, and learn from it.

Darkwarrior

Pearse Stokes will be back!!!

Well done to all fighters.

Roper

Great post Pearse. For the record, I was in your dressing room last night though we didn't meet. You seemed in no mood for any casual introductions post fight and I wouldn't fvck with anyone beforehand either. So there you go- howya.

I could say any of the usual bollox about 50% of people in these things are losers, you learn from these etc. etc. But losing is actually a very personal thing so you'll take from it what you need and not what some internet random bloke says.

Lets face it, people mean well when they say stuff like that, but its all just hot air. You would have learned a lot from winning last night too. Losing affects your headspace, depresses you and you feel ****e for ages afterwards, I know I do. In short, theres nothing anyone can say to make you feel better- its all down to you and I honestly believe that that is the journey.

crokester

Im a big believer in the somewhat British admiration for heroic failure. The idea that the real glory in sport can often be found in defeat made all the more bitter by hours of training, blood, and sweat. Its the theme addressed so well in HL reals such as Furious Angels; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z7dw6UUiYk.

One of the most prominent sporting moments in my mind was that British runner (whose name escapes me) being helped around the last lap of the field by his Dad after suffering a torn calf in the World Games, tears streaming down his face. I think in that moment we had the glory and heartache of sport summed up perfectly. Without the heartache there would be no glory. I would hope that if ever someday i had a HL reel it would show my lowest as well as highest moments as it is those lowest moments that legitimate the highs and give them all the more meaning and poignency.

Khannie

Great post Pearse. Some really good insight there. A great read for someone who hasn't gotten in the ring yet. Thanks.

Dragan

I'm gonna take a slightly different tactic to everyone else and say that most people don't learn a thing from losing. On another board that I post on a saying came up at one point that simple stated "winning is a habit, but so is losing."

While I have never fought MMA and as such have no idea what a loss in the ring feels like I have been on some pretty big stages in my time and did not always win. Dealing with that first loss will decide how the rest of your career goes Pearse, and I will say that to you right now.

There is nothing wrong with feeling bad about losing, but there is definitely something wrong with feeling like you have let people down. From your own posting and the way people talk about you it's very obvious that your about as passionate and hardworking and dedicated to the game as anyone else…..so I have trouble believing that you were half assing your training or not giving it your all. Nerves get to us all over different things and at different times….. Nothing wrong with admitting that.

The only thing you can do with a loss in any sport, and at any level , is accept that it happened and move on. You strike me as being an intelligent and logical chap so don't let the emotion overrule your sensibilities. Everyone loses at some point. If you let that fact make you question yourself then your pretty much screwed.

One particular memory that I have is where a major loss came about directly because of my inability to perform on the day. It was a big stage, my whole team had worked hard for a full season to get where we were and I was the one who boned it all up for everyone. It's hard to accept that a mistake was made ( I can't comment on mistakes in your fight as sadly I didn't see it, but I get the feeling you’re the kind of guy who can be hard on themselves? ) but IF one was made then so be it. You can't go back and change it, but you can make sure it doesn't happen again.

Now this post might be a bit out of place, and if so then just ignore it but I just wanted to point out the one or two points above.

mark.leonard

We have all been there Pearse, you will get over it. The mistakes you made the last night will be forever imprinted on your mind so that you will never make them again, the loss has already made you a better fighter. I know what its like trying to come back after a loss and it isn't easy. Analyse your mistakes, learn from them, but MOVE ON is the best advice I can give you.

Take all the positive from it that you can but then leave it and put it down to experience, dwelling won't do you any good and will further hurt your confidence in future math-ups. Refuse to let this affect your confidence, bring the mental tenacity you are known for to bear and through force of your own will MAKE this be a positive experience.

FiannaGym.com

Hey guys, thanks for all your replies.

Can I just say I am so "Stoked". Over the last few days I've been stewing about this whole thing and I feel so bad about it.. BUT, I'm so excited now.

I'm so excited to be putting together a plan of training again and I cant wait to get back on the mat and back in the ring. Of all the things I could be down about this is not a big issue.

After my Mickey Young fight I learned ABC, always finish the fight.
After my Mark Conor fight I learned, come to the fight in shape.
After this fight I learned, get your head together.

I know have tried a couple of things to get my head ready for a fight and last Saturday showed me the exact wrong way!

I've also learned that the game has moved on. Through college and being injured last year I haven't elevated my skill set so Im so excited about getting back training and be learning new skills!

Thanks again guys.

Peace

Millionaire

Thats the spirit. A new and better plan of attack!

I am not sure if its any consoliation to you, but by way of example, I lost out on a business deal and just this minute I am just off the phone, being told I am after loosing out on another deal, that I have just been told, is not going to happen. lets say they would have been "nice little earners"....

Am I disappointed....yes just a little.

Did I let anyone down (including myself)??? No...because I did 110% of what I could do to make them happen, and i guess it was just not mean't to be.

Is it the end of the world?. No way man... life is too good!

Whats the answer and solution???

"Glove up!"... and get out and find someone else to do business with, so I can make it happen again. and give an extra 1000% in muay thai training tomorrow morning to get my frustrations out!

Good luck on your training man!

Though hard training and more skills is the best answer...Would you consider reading into some NLP techniques to control your feelings and confidence for next time? ( I know of some irish judo competitiors who did this).

Dragan

Not sure why, work is slow, so I wrote a pep talk from Dana White for you dude.

"I'm proud of you man. You’re a tough kid, you absolutely have a future in the UFC. DO YOU WANT TO BE A ****ING FIGHTER??? I mean, this isn't a pep talk, I just wanted to talk to you because I like to think I'm friends with all the fighters, even if I do own you. You know I own you right? Ya know? I mean, I know you just lost a fight but I can see you taking the belt someday. Ya know? DO YOU WANT TO BE A ****ING FIGHTER??? Who keeps saying that? ……. Ya know? Anyway, you did great man, a great fight. Keep your head up. This isn't a pep talk? Do you like me?"