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It was the night before Xmas ...and I was stuffing my face with food to celebrate the Xmas Eve. I knew this wasn't a good idea as I had to attend Xmas Lunch the next day and I had a fight scheduled on Boxing Day. Its quite ironic isnt it! After stuffing my face with yummylicious xmas treats, Beer, Wine, Ice Cream and Cakes I was NOT ready to fight. I lay in bed most of Sunday in an attempt to digest and conserve energy. I was very flat and I didnt want to eat a thing as that would certainly slow me down. I decided to join the guys at the movies - we went to see Little Fockers - The kind of movie that borders on funny and not mass hilarity. I was feeling quite nervous because of my physical state.

I wasnt thinking too hard about my fight - I was only most curious about my opponent. I weighed in at 73kgs and discovered I would fight someone at 75kgs. I take on all challenges. I switched on my focus goggles where I try to tune my mind to my body and prepare myself for the action. I had my Bro in my corner and the Badger helping out as well. Seano, Yong and Ass decided to watch as well so it was a good vibe.

I have been training 4 times a week for the past two weeks at a high intensity so I knew I was better prepared for this fight. I like to put pressure on my opponent and my mentality is to get in and out and close the distance as much as possible. Watching Videos from the 1st fight I knew I hadnt used my hands as much as I liked. I watch alot of K-1 and its all hands and then legs. I need to do the same. I was also inspired by GSP's victory over Koscheck and wanted to make sure I utilised my jab to setup the fight.

It was interesting that as soon as I jumped into the ring I was calm and ready to go. It wasnt until about 10 seconds into the fight that I woke up. After the first kick I was like alright, we have a fight on our hands. I felt he was probably faster than me but he definitely wouldn't have the right angles or length over me. He was a tough kid but the fight wouldn't last 2 rounds and was over in 35 seconds.
He had a bloody nose and mouth and was stunned a few times in the fight. I unleashed a few good knees into his stomach and some flush jabs and hooks which I was happy with.
Like Kenny Florian always says - I FINISH FIGHTS!

Things to note in training for my next fight -

• Hit and reposition and hit again. Keep defenses up and dodge back or to the side.
• Maintain Range and balance to execute good hits. 
• Use different methods to setup shots.

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The past three months have been pretty busy for me and so I've had to shelve Muay Thai training for awhile. I certainly missed the training, though in the background I've been working out in the gym to build a stronger power base. Olympic lifting with my bro and running is definitely the way to go!

Obviously, you lose alot in technique and reflex when you aren't training. I also stopped dieting so stringently and  I've discovered it doesnt really matter how hard I diet - I was only holding off 3kgs which I can work off in a few weeks! Thanks to genetics and metabolism. Thanks Mum and Dad!

After 3 sessions back at Suphanahong I decided to take part in the fortnightly sparring sessions with some of the other local gyms in Singapore. I was eager to see where I stood in my training even though I believe I was highly underdone in the Muay Thai specific training. Ive been hoping to fight for the entire year and its been a long time coming so i just needed to get in and do it to see if it was something I would enjoy.

I was quite fortunate to have someone around my weight turn up and decide to fight me on Saturday. It was a bit of an odd situation really because when they were doing the match ups for fights - One of the guys who was the same weight as me declined to fight me. He took one look at me and decided not to jump in the ring with me. His reasoning was that I was too tall for him. Honestly, I think that's a weak excuse and he obviously believed he would have lost to me. In fact he had already lost even before we stepped in the ring.

I have been visualising  how my fight would play out - trying to maintain a good focus and relaxed demeanor. I wanted to make sure I wasnt nervous so I was mentally preparing myself for this "fight" for the whole week. I had a game plan - it was to clinch, look for a big right and use my high kicks.

It worked to my advantage that I was taller and more fit than my opponent - however I think the thing that helped me most was my instinct and pressure. The fight was so fast and i did lost my temper a bit but hey its either FIGHT or FLIGHT. I dont recall too much about it only that its incredibly hard to hit a moving target and you cant worry about being hit, more that you need to hit constantly or defend and reposition.

The fight went two rounds before it was called off by the referee - TKO. I came out of the fight uninjured and feeling a euphoria I've not felt before. To put it simply it was Fun! More fun than Ive had doing anything in my life. I cant wait to get into training and get on with the next fight.

I would watch my tape again and again trying to look at things I would improve on. Distance, Fitness, Technique and Control.

A Sparring Plateau

Over the past month Ive found myself hitting a plateau of sorts. Training takes on less of a challenge now that I don't have a fight scheduled but more over that I have few capable opponents to spar with. I much rather spar and learn fight strategy than just hit pads all the time. On some days it can become quite a grind. The workout is great mind you! My technique gets better as does my power and speed. Not to say im perfect at any one of these techniques but we need goals to motivate us - I need to see if i can damage someone with these skills.

I do have a few bumps and bruises that tend to slow me down but that's all part and parcel of fighting. Right now i have a tender bruise on my knee cap from working the menacing heavy bag. I was working on clinching the other day and that went well despite the sore neck I managed to out wrestle my opponent, Stay upright and lock in the elbows and force my opponent to suffer. A big reason why Thai boxers are so good is that they are so dominant in the clinch. Its a whole other skill/tool to learn. Thankfully I had a brother to practice that with growing up.

Ive also been watching and learning alot from the Yodsenklai and Buakaw fight videos on you tube! The key being Strength, Power and Speed. They hardly ever take a backstep from any hit and are just relentless in their attack. Its really quite graceful!

Hit Me - Please!