Measuring and motivation

    What is really good people??!! This was on my mind and I couldn't quite hash it out in my manic brain so I decided to try to do it here. The question is how do you measure success and if you do so by comparison to others, at what point does that become detrimental. When it comes to fighting we are often compared to or making comparisons to other fighters. We as a combat community often take cues from those that innovate with a spectacular knockout or technique in competition.

Soon after Anderson Silva used a front kick/teep to the jaw of Vitor Belfort the front kick to the face became a regular staple of mma fighters much the way people are using Saenchai's cartwheel kick regularly now. These moments how we grow in skill and community as well as evolve our independent artforms on an international scale. As fans we compare fighters and accomplishments to determine who is the best. As fighters we see others in positions either better or worse than our own. With the right training, mindstate, diet, recovery, coaches, training partners, will, promoters, and a dash of luck you can be one of the few fighters that reach the pinnacle of your sport. Clearly it won't happen for everyone. So when we look at this on a more personal level, how can you compare yourself to someone else that has everything you believe you are missing? The simple answer is that you cannot. The better answer is to try and have a different perspective. The phrase quality over quantity comes to mind first. I will forever believe that you must be great at the tools available to you. It means to buy in on the things you are good at and double down on them while adding other skills to compliment that base. If all you have is a jab, then work extensively on that while learning the technique of the cross. Step by step increase your base tools and expand. Your contemporary could have been blessed with athleticism that you do not have. Either you live in mediocrity or you work hard on your personal gifts to find your greatness. As fighters and martial artists the fastest way to get to place of non-growth is not using what we lack as motivation. As fighters we are sort of bound by the idea that we can beat whomever is in front of us. It is often said that if you don't believe that, you should not be competing. I believe this as well. The very idea that someone is considered better than you, can do more, or accomplishing more should be a clear motivation to get focused on your craft. As a human being you can toil at a job for years and never get that promotion, even worse you can watch the new guy get it in a year. Life is not fair. It is irrelevant, do not get stuck on fairness but do get stuck on forward momentum. Don't just stay in your lane, if you want a clearer path then you must build more lanes. If you do this, nothing can get in your way.

Peace, 

L

Do hard things, including love more.

    

Where I thought the gym was going to be.

 It's been a little while since I've written anything but plenty of things have been on my mind. First is an update on the gym. We have reached the two year mark and it is by far one of the hardest things i've done and it was made exponentially harder due to the circumstances. As the recently deceased Nipsey Hussle expressed, this is a marathon not a sprint. So for everything that has transpired throughout this journey I am happy with where we are. So very grateful for everyone and every opportunity. Thank you all.

      It's easy for people to tell you what and how you should go about your life but the truth is there are plenty of examples to draw upon. The majority of the most successful of us didn't get gifted anything. The difference between making personal dreams and accomplishments become reality lies in choice. We all have a choice to honestly pursue our own successes even in the face of seemingly  insurmountable obstacles. Quit or keep going is your choice and your challenge I commend those that continue forward and I understand and encourage those that need a rest and regroup. Just don't quit.

     Let the obstacles in front of you testing your resolve become benchmarks in your growth and vision of your goals. Even if you have to switch lanes to get back on track do so with ferocity and acceptance that even though it is out of the way your are on the right path and your choice has already been made.

     Over this last couple of years I have run into mountains. I doubted myself to my soul but I made the choice to just keep going. I've had to sacrifice some friendships and relationships not based on anything that happened but simply for my own mental health. I had to isolate from the negative vibes and love from a distance. I was and still am in search of...but I also have found so much in myself. Much like fighting an opponent in the ring, fighting through adversity gives you a different view of yourself as a human being and each conquest gives you a further vision as to what could be.

     One of the hardest things to do in this life seems like it should be the easiest and that is to Love. Not the love you give to your mate though it should be measured accordingly. To love those around you even if you disagree with their ideas even if they aren't down for you. It's easiest to put them in the “they can fuck off” category but can you still have love for those that don't believe in you? The answer is a resounding YES!

     I know this is a hard concept and I struggle with this as well but I believe in it. Just because I don't rock with you like that or you don't have good things to bring to my personal universe doesn't mean I can't have love for you, even if it's from afar. I personally can't grow and become what I want and at the same time have hate in my heart for another person. It's a work in progress…

    Lost a few friends over the last couple of years and I just want to take this moment to say love more those around you. Your paths may cross for years or for a brief moment in time but we gotta do better about appreciating those moments as a culture.

    When the artist, entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle was murdered last week it really hit me hard because I was truly inspired by him. I had some people message me about it because they knew how much I looked up to him. I would listen to his mixtapes and get hyped about making something bigger than myself happen. Though I am not there yet I know I'm on the right path. I know that you are too.

   Keep doing hard things to make you a better human and keep loving more to prove you are an evolving human.

Peace and Blessings.

L

R.I.P. Bigg Rodd

R.I.P. Nipsey Hussle

     

The Purge: Making room for gratitude

Well well well... Its been a long time since we were here together. When I used to write this blog it was a way for me to get out my feelings, good or bad. A way to tell stories of my life's journey. It was a way to connect to my friends and to be honest about who I am and how I perceive not only Muay Thai but the Martial arts world as a whole. It was my outlet. Since the last time I wrote this blog my life has changed drastically as well as my relationship with Muay thai and martial arts in general. I finally achieved a huge goal in opening the first Lucky's Muay Thai gym. It was bitter sweet because at the same time I went through a devastating break up which split up my family. Everything I was working towards was still in place but the reasons I did them changed tremendously. I honestly wasn't sure if I would make it. I spent a lot of nights after everyone left the gym sitting at my desk pouring tears. If it wasn't for my amazing friends, family and students I'm not sure I would have gotten through it. For that kind of love I am forever grateful. However, between the stresses of the gym opening and Miami getting a CAT 4 hurricane which killed business for months, and fighting off depression and panic attacks daily, I was drowning. I was completely aware that it wasn't going well and I was doing my best to keep it moving. Fortunately, I did. Now I have to do my best every day to leave those feelings where they belong, in the past.
   It wasn't until now that I finally feel like Lucky's
Muay Thai will be here as a staple of the combat sport community for a long time to come. It isn't because of me, it is because of all of you. It was without a shadow of a doubt that my self belief got me to this point but it is your belief in me that kept me going when all was lost(believe me, it was lost). People coming up to me to tell me about the video they saw on the Internet or someone telling me that I had helped them change their life because of something I said or because the gym was there for them, how can I not be grateful. I have been more than fortunate to have two people that I met that believed in this vision enough that they were willing to jump on this boat with me and help me keep it afloat. Shout out to Benjamin London and Jacob Israel for having good hearts. That brings me to this. Now that the dark cloud is dissipating and the sun is peeping through, its time to work. I want to give you what you all give me, encouragement, support, direction, and above all else, LOVE. I'd like to personally welcome back everyone that rocked with the LMT family into the new space and we would like to welcome all the new members that have been hitting us up non-stop for information. We are for sure a family and we are as dysfunctional as any good family always is. I love you guys and 2019 is our year to make memories and accomplish goals together. I can't wait to build this gym up to reach it's full potential. I am so proud of everything we did and how you all played such an integral part of it all.

I am grateful for you all

Lucky

P.S. LET'S GO!!

There is _____ here.

Many people that become fighters also become obsessive about it. It could be the training they enjoy or the camradery with their training partners, perhaps it's the release of the stresses of everyday life. I've often heard fighters and people that train regularly say things like, "if it wasn't for this I would be in jail for beating someone up", or, "this saved my life". Yes I can totally relate to those of us that just need to have an outlet to get away from all of the internal and external factors that keep us from just being free and happy.
However that is not the end all be all of what is felt in the gym, or on the mats or in the ring or the cage. There is something else their that the average fan won't ever see or get to experience and therefore understand. You can call it passion or energy or for that matter call it what it really is and that is love. There is love here even when it doesn't exist anywhere else. The moment one foot steps in everything else begins to evaporate. There is no question in my mind why fighters stick around past their prime or why people become lifelong martial artists. What is inside of those squared circles or Octagons or on those mats can't be found anywhere else. It's also evident by the amount of ex-fighters that become drug addicts, because they are searching for that out of body unconscious connection that they no longer have. Regardless of outcomes of fights or wins and losses, no matter the amount of sweat or blood lost in sparring or in actual competition there is a feeling in the hearts of those that compete that cannot be duplicated in any other sport. That is not to diminish other peoples chosen athletic activities and I understand that some sports are considered just as violent as fighting but that isn't what separates us. The differences lie in the unification between the physical, mental, and emotional connections and what can only be compared to an, at times, out of body experience. You hear basketball players and other athletes having a good game or day as being described as being "in the zone". A fighter is in constant expression of that zone and it is most evident when that energy is exchanged back and forth from one martial artist to another. There is truth to the phrase styles make fights but the real truth is that fighters make fights and those fights are built on the foundations of the  energy boiling and erupting in the places that fighters are made. I can

distinctly remember the places I have fought and trained or grappled and competed however like most fighters it is very difficult to remember what exactly happened during those times. Ask a fighter what happened after a fight and most of them will say I don't remember or they can remember only bits and pieces and they'll have to watch it later. In the moments that a the bell rings to start the fight or the competition all things outside of that moment often become blurry and almost non-existent. It's not that we don't realize that other people are there but we are in our "zone" and we are not alone, that zone is both our own and a shared space with the other competitor. There is nothing like it. Other than some adrenaline junkies you can ask fighters to do crazy things like sky diving or swim with sharks etc and most might shrug their shoulders at such things mostly because after you face mortality every single day a person facing mortality for one single day just doesn't seem very appealing.

For those of us that have been blessed enough to take part in what most consider an insane lifestyle we know about the energy that exists in these places and it is real. You can call it passion or energy or for that matter call it what it really is and that is love, there is love here.

Bring on the recovery!

Jorge and I post training.

What's up guys?!! Hope you guys are doing well. I am writing this one because for whatever reason I have been super sore lately. I mean my body feels like I got run over by a tractor, then a semi truck, then a steam roller, and then had an anvil dropped on my head. Anybody out there still using anvil's? Watched entirely too many roadrunner cartoons as a kid. Anyway, it's been brutal. I train pretty regularly and I am definitely at the point where I know how to listen to my body. So right now my body is screaming RECOVERY PLEASE!! The real question is how am I going to do that and hopefully giving some suggestions for you as well.
  I think the first thing I have to do is examine my rest. I would say I get about 7 hours of sleep per night and that seems to do the trick, however another one or two would be oh so sweet. I also believe that I need to take a longer break between sessions. I find myself going from client to client to my own workout and then teaching a class that I participate in on occasion and that sometimes ads up to about 4 to 5 hours on a given day. Yep, that might be a bit too much. Overall I guess I get enough sleep but rest between training can sometimes be non-existent. This has led to muscle soreness, nagging minor injuries, and just overall exhaustion. So from me to you, choose the amount of rest that matches your output in the gym. Don't end up with a permanent injury because you didn't listen to your body telling you that your knee was more sore than normal or your shoulder was feeling weak. Next thing you know it's a loud pop and now you're stuck with an injury that will forever be your training partner.

Cryotherapy chamber

   Next thing to do is to look into some ways to help your recovery along. A post workout drink containing some BCAA's (Branch chain amino acids) or L-Glutamine should be helpful. I am fond of epson salt baths as well as ice baths to help either relax the muscles or help with soreness. With technology now instead of doing ice baths the plain old fashion way, fighters are going to cryotherapy chambers to get their recovery fix. At these centers the fighter is stepping inside a chamber where the temperatures are a whopping 200 below zero. The treatments last only 3 mins. These chambers are known to help with a number fighter related problems such as inflammation but are also starting to be used to deal with other medical issues like arthritis and circulatory problems. For now, I'll stick to a few bags of ice and a bath tub..lol

Pre Ice Bath look

   Last but not least, get worked on! Line up a massage, some reflexology, acupuncture, and even some chiropractic work to get yourself back in order. If you are a fighter or you just hit the gym regularly some of these ideas might benefit you. I mean what good is all that working out and training if when you really want to use it, you're too sore or limping around on a bad injury.
  I suppose I'll get around to taking my own advice sooner than later! Peace and Love guys and go fricking recover!

The psychology of my canceled fight

What is up people?!! I hope you are living the dream and loving life. I am for sure starting new chapters in the LMT world. Spending time working on broadening the horizons of and for the LMT team as well as the reach of the movement. I am also getting ready to put on my first event. So all in all there are a lot of positive things going on however in the midst of all this good stuff I had planned on having a fight. Now, it was to be a tune up, keep me active fight leading into a big fight in May. I had started the grind of extra training, started going through the emotional rollercoaster, and the ideas of am I good enough ,should I be doing this,etc.. Everyone is different but for me it is always like this until the last week of training when I just move into a space where I just don't care about the voices in my head and only think "please just ring the bell". As I am dealing with all of that I get the news that my fight has been canceled. Just like that, the rug has been snatched from beneath my feet. It was extra crappy because I had to tell some of my team that they wouldn't be fighting either. It may not seem like much but for an older fighter with no coach, manager and self awareness enough to know that there aren't many opportunities left, it is a huge let down. After the shock and let down comes the doubt, maybe that was it the last hurrah. "There's no reason to fight anymore, I've done everything I can do", the mind is an incredible motivator and even worse negative Nancy. Once I have come to the realization that I am not fighting and the emotions have settled it becomes easier again just to focus on the fighters competing in the next month. That is until I start to watch fights on youtube or see fights on TV, read blogs, teach class, spar, and on and on. I am addicted to it. I am addicted to the grind of training, teaching, and challenging myself. I've come to the realization that it just won't change and I need to compete physically.So planning on spending the next month stretching, getting strong, making money, and getting ready for the challenge of competition as I know for sure I will be fighting in some way either Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu.
   I've spent a lot of time learning my craft and I was a really late starter for Muay Thai, but I truly love it. Some people will never understand the amount of work it takes to train, teach, learn, and apply but it is a labor of love to the fullest extent. I am more in Love with it now than ever. 

EPILOGUE: Shortly after writing this I slammed my finger in a steel door.. Ugh. So the plan is solidified. Train what I can with focus on healing body and mind. Sometimes the universe makes your path for you. 

Peace

Luck 

Bigger, faster, stronger.. Maybe

Oh boy!! It's a blog, finally! I am currently writing this blog on my phone with one hand as the beautiful Nin sleeps in my other arm. One thing I've learned since the arrival of this beautiful child is that it requires near super human strength to carry her around or "mommy strength" as it were... Lol..  This brings me to the body of this blog which is the question. As a fighter, should I be lifting weights? Seems like a no brainer to some but the reality is much more complicated.
    Most boxers I know spend almost no time lifting weights of any real significance. It tends to get them to tight and inhibit their ability to move, or so I've heard. The belief that the science of the sport itself along with proper conditioning as well as the usual regimen of calisthenics is enough to get the fighters in peak condition.
       However in this new age of MMA and the growth of other combat sports along with the explosion of Crossfit and sports optimization facilities a simple regimen of old school calisthenics may not be enough to keep up with the athletes of today. I mean how can you compete with someone that's doing Olympic style lifting and gymnastics as well as having training that's monitored by a certified trainer that knows everything about you including the last time you sat on the toilet?.. That doesn't even begin to even touch the surface about supplements and those "other supplements" that people are taking just to keep up with the rigors of that kind of training.
  It's a lot to go up against when you don't have access to those opportunities. For myself I can only say that I can completely understand the necessity of a balanced approach to your strength and conditioning training. When I was just doing conditioning I felt great but I often would find myself dealing with nagging injuries. When I only lifted I felt like I couldn't move and stiff as a board. I had to go a different route to get to my destination. I laid off the weights for a while and began to research what other athletes were doing. It all became clear after watching a sickening amount of videos and reading a ridiculous amount of information, most of which was nonsense. The best way to get what yourself in peak condition is to vary your training and go between explosive workouts like sprints and plyos, to swimming and long runs for cardio work, mix in some circuit training with kettle bells and sandbags etc for core.. And last but not least throw in some good old fashioned weight training. You may not be able to afford the high priced gyms and trainers but hard work doesn't cost anything but sweat. Always remember that no matter what training the guy or girl with all the resources is doing the two things they can't train is their heart and their chin. You have to do one thing. Want it more!
     

Evolution through coaching!

What's up people, hope all is well out there . I know it's been a minute but the LMT family was focused in preparation for battle. We had three fights in Tampa in the Muay Thai classic. We came back with one victory and two losses but we came away with the respect of the other teams and some new fans! We made a big statement for our team which really set us up for future success.

 

Will getting some coaching

Felipe pre-fight

 In my case, as a coach over the last couple of camps and fights I've noticed a personal evolution. I've dedicated the  last 14 years of my life to muay thai and just as it did as a fighter, it's starting to happen as a coach. I'm beginning to be able to do a couple of things with confidence. First off I've been able to coach each fighter to their ability. When I first started out as a coach I believe I just wanted the technique to be correct. Now I've started to pull each fighters strength to the forefront. Each person utilizes different techniques in different ways and it's important to be able to put the fighters in the best possible position to be successful. For instance in Sarah, my female fighter's debut I thought for sure that with her soccer background that her legs would be key. I had told her that before the fight she could end the fight with her knee. In the first round she dropped her opponent with a knee and nearly finished the fight. I based that theory specifically on the training we did and the power in her legs. Which leads to the next thing I noticed about my coaching evolution. Making adjustments on the fly.

Sarah "La Pantera" post victory

Watching my fighter's opponent for holes in their game that we can exploit throughout the fight. In the same fight I noticed that Sarah's opponent wasn't using her jab to keep Sarah from advancing and because Sarah is a southpaw we had worked on staying on the outside of the lead leg. I yelled to Sarah to throw the lead hook and follow with the cross. She later told me she didn't know why I asked her to do it but she bought into it and it worked. At one point she threw it 3 times in a row and the girl couldn't defend it or figure it out. This has been the newest addition to my coaching game. I left the fights extremely happy for the growth team and very happy with my progress as a coach.

Post fight celebrations

It is a constant learning experience. Each fight, fighter and opponent is different. I am focusing on the organization of the growth of the team. New techniques, better conditioning, sound fundamentals, and recognizing opportunities within the fight. The best thing about all of this is that I've seen my own Muay Thai game evolve. I'm seeing things differently and applying the knowledge I'm gaining as a coach to my own growth as a fighter. I'm looking forward to October when my team fights again and being in the ring later this year to put it all to the test. Thanks for all the support and donations, the podcast is on the way and the sound of the LMT chant is getting louder and louder.  Peace and blessings don't forget to follow is on social media: @luckysmuaythai

Fighting at all speeds

Hey guys, hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  Perfect time for a blog. Heading into the last week of camp for the fighters, two of which are competing for a state title and one that is having her debut on August 8th in Tampa. All of this brings back memories. When I first started it was like a tornado, just chaos for 3 rounds, but it seemed like it took forever. Now it's still chaos but very controlled. I always feel like regardless of the pace of the fight it moves in slow motion for me. Now that doesn't mean that I see everything and am able to pull a Matrix move everytime I get swung at or kicked. However because of the ability to finally settle my mind I can hear the voice inside my head as it attempts to figure out my opponents defense in order to open up my offense. It's a mental and physical chess game bolstered by the skill level of each player. There's almost a formula for it. Number of techniques known multiplied by conditioning divided by defensive ability and strength of chin and mind. Either way it's like two military commanders executing attacks and counter attacks as mapped out in a war room. Now more so than ever, I get it. A person preparing for a fight must be able prepare not only the body but also the mind. Well, we know that, you might say. Yes, but there is a factor that isn't touched on as much. The speeds at which your body and mind must be ready to perform. The knowledge of when to attack verbally, or when to listen to your opponent blow hot air and you sit back and smile. When to blitz your opposition and when to frustrate them with your movement and counterattacking. All of this is done at different speeds and all of it requires training. The ability to subtly get your opponent to fight your fight against their will is an art in itself. At, 50 years of age Bernard Hopkins won another title by forcing his younger opponent to fight at his speed. A young Cassius Clay (Muhammed Ali) convinced a much larger more experienced Sonny Liston that he would beat him during a press conference that had Liston thinking that Ali was crazy. There are moments in MMA that a ground specialist will beat a world class striker simply based on the ability to get them to fight at their speed and make them believe they are the better striker. This happened in the Fabricio Werdum vs Travis Browne fight. The lesson here is to be well rounded, believe in your skill, and impose the beauty of your style on all opponents mentally and physically in life and in competition. Sometimes that is done by moving forward, and sometimes by hanging back, sometimes by talking and other times by listening but to achieve this it takes practice and commitment to your art and yourself. You must get to know who you are to know what you are capable of. Fight and train at all speeds. Peace and Love from all of us at Lucky's Muay Thai!

Stress the constant opponent

             Stress in one definition was described as "mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension". They simply forgot about athletes because as far as I can tell it's generally all of the above. Dealing with the stresses of everyday life along with the expectations, and physical demands is enough to have you curled up in the fetal position calling for momma. I certainly wish that was a joke. Often times friends and family might not understand what your vision is, or they might expect to much. Or as is the case most times we as athletes expect too much of ourselves. We all understand that without that mentality it is difficult to achieve the highest of dreams. It is the thing that makes victory so sweet and defeat almost unbearable. However that being said it is an extreme amount of pressure to put on oneself. Compounding life's stresses with the physical exertion used during training can be overwhelming. Pushing yourself to your physical limitations while under the pressures of your life outside of the gym often leads to injury, anxiety, and even depression. Adding onto that is the idea that somewhere down the road the athlete has to perform at the highest level possible. Knowing that in a few weeks someone is waiting to try to kick your head off your shoulders is an anxiety that'll have you not sleeping at night as well as not eating. One or two of these issues isn't easy to deal with but a combination of all of these could be the downfall for the athlete. In Muay Thai, MMA, Boxing, as well as other combat sports high levels of stress could mean the doorway to a serious injury that could even be career threatening. 
             So how do we deal with this?  I'm not sure that there is one clear cut answer. I believe that to combat this opponent you must attack it from multiple angles. First, make sure you're getting enough rest. Sleep is key to recovery from training as well as mental health. Make sure your diet is compatible with your training and that your getting proper nutrients. After attacking it from the inside take some time and do something fun with friends socially. See a movie, get out to dinner, and laugh. Take your mind off of the pressure for a moment. You train hard, you deserve a break to clear your head.
As you move closer to your fight or event, spend some time in a quiet space meditating or visualizing. This will help you maintain your focus and see what it is you want to do in the fight. Last but not least, Yoga might be your key, stretching and breathing are definitely helpful in relieving stress in your body and what ever is circulating in your brain. 
I have to admit I am not the best at managing my stress but much better now then in the past. I did something that isn't mentioned above, I simplified. I spent some time trying to figure out what I wanted in my life and began to slice away at the excess. This isn't to say that everything is always perfect, I still suffer from some heavy anxiety from time to time. So I try my best to keep up with at least a few of suggestions above at all times. If you're suffering anxiety due to stress, whether it's work or relationships, or competition, or all of the above, just remember everything will ultimately be okay. Spend some time trying to find a way to relax and breathe. Life is hard and there is no handbook on how to deal with the pressures but with a little practice and a good support system you'll surely overcome all obstacles in the way of reaching your goals. Good luck and be blessed.

Glory 11 and Out of the shadow epilogue

Ringside view of Glory 11

Hello all, I have really enjoyed writing this blog and because of that learning more and more about myself as it pertains to martial arts of any kind. I have come to the realization lately that things are finally changing for the better at least in the world of kickboxing. I was blessed with tickets to Glory 11 in Chicago from my awesome fiance as you might have read in the previous blog. I was absolutely stoked for the fight card and couldn't believe I was going to there. My buddy Jorge and I talked it up everyday at the gym. We probably made everyone sick but we knew it was going to be a great show.

Hooked up with hoodies

       Now the funny thing about teaching, fighting, and just being around kickboxing everyday all day is that you forget that it's not hugely popular in the states. After seeing and experiencing what I did while in Chicago I know in my heart that that is about to change. First off let me say that we had no idea where the seats were until we arrived and realized that we are sitting front row behind the red corner and every fighter had to leave walking past us. Then I noticed that Joe Schilling, the winner of the Glory 10 tournament and one of my favorite fighters was sitting 2 seats over. I struck up a
conversation and he was nice enough to take a picture and shoot the shit.

Me and Joe Schilling

We were close enough to hear everything being said in the corners and hear every punch and kick land with thunderous thuds and slaps. After an early knockout, the winning fighter celebrated with us and his cornermen gave Jorge and I their sweatshirts. It was an electric night! The crowd was into it , the fighters were performing at the highest levels. There might have been 4 or 5 decisions out of 14 fights. Glory as well as Lion fights are waking up the masses to a sport that is as exciting as anything on television. And ultimately that is the key...Television. Glory 11 aired on Spike and Jorge and I were even receiving text messages that they saw us celebrating a knockout. It was absolutely incredible.

Cool ass Errol Zimmerman

       I have been fortunate enough to have gone to a lot of sporting events. NBA, MLB, NCAA(basketball and football),NHL, Boxing, Bellator...etc and this ranks as high as they come for an event. Even better were the fans, nobody screaming racial slurs or obscenities and no fights in the stands. Hopefully with the introduction into the mainstream that won't change. Anyway, the most awesome thing about the show was that all of the fighters were accessible. Errol Zimmerman chopped it up with us and even told us after Rico Verhoeven won the Heavyweight tournament that, "watch, i'm gonna knock him out again", referencing their last fight.  No big entourages keeping fans away, they were willing to sign autographs and have a conversation. They were down for their fans.
       I can only say that it was an absolute blast and that finally Muay Thai and Glory are getting their just reward for being so damn exciting. No worry about lay and pray fighters in a sport that allows you to get swept to the floor but then makes you stand back up and defend yourself. Btw, that's not an MMA diss, the last UFC card was sick and I absolutely miss Jiu Jitsu, but that's another story. For the record the trip and show was better than I could have possibly imagined and I can't wait to go again.

Out of the shadow: Epilogue

Lloyd Sr. and I

      Something else happened in Chicago, dinner with senior. It went amazingly well. He was humble and very cool. His fiance was awesome and we took steps to start a much needed dialogue. Since then we've been in touch and trying to stay on each others radar. This is a good beginning and I look forward to continuing this as we move into the future. Life has a way of  offering you different paths to follow and allowing you to make the decisions on which ones to take.Some times life offers the same path twice.