The Reality of Pain in Professional Fighting

The Reality of Pain in Professional Fighting

Hey, what's up, guys? Today, we're diving into a topic that's crucial for anyone considering entering the world of professional fighting: the pain factor. A question I often get asked is how much pain is involved and what you can expect if you decide to pursue a career as a professional fighter. Spoiler alert—it's a lot!

The Unpredictable Life of a Fighter

Every fighter's journey is unique, and so is their experience with pain. Some fighters go through their entire careers without ever needing surgery. Others aren't so lucky and face multiple surgeries. Your journey largely depends on various factors like body type, fighting style, and sheer luck.

Personal Experience with Pain

Let's get personal. I can testify to the physical toll because I've had my fair share of injuries and surgeries—five major ones to be exact. This includes surgeries on both shoulders, my hand, hip, and even my orbital bone. It's been a rough ride, and the pain is very real.

One of the misconceptions is about the pain of getting knocked out. People often think it's excruciating, but the truth is you usually don't feel it in the moment. You wake up not remembering much. But when it comes to training, there's a lot of discomfort you have to live through.

Training Pains and Injuries

Fighters are built tough and prideful, but sometimes that pride can work against them. In training, especially if you practice Jiu-Jitsu or wrestling, you're going to experience neck issues from things like headlocks and chokes. I tell my guys to tap if they feel serious discomfort, but I came from a time when tapping was seen as a weakness.

Knowing When to Tap

A lot of unnecessary injuries can be avoided if fighters gauge when to tap during practice. There's no shame in it; it's about preserving your body for the real fight. In training, if you find yourself in a submission you're not escaping, it's better to tap and live to fight another day.

The Bone-on-Bone Horror

Now, let's talk about one of the most painful experiences in fighting: bone-on-bone contact. Whether it's blocking a kick and feeling like you've been hit with a baseball bat or checking a kick and cracking your shin, these are moments fighters dread.

In my second UFC fight, I fractured my shin. It wasn't a severe break like Anderson Silva's infamous injury, but it was a fracture that kept me from kicking for three months. I remember once fighting Volir Lazaro and experiencing bone-on-bone contact that was unbearable. In matches, shin guards offer some protection, but in practice, you're often left exposed.

Common Injuries and Their Impacts

Professional fighters encounter a wide variety of injuries. Here are some of the more common ones:

• Broken Hands: Often occur from blocked punches or poor technique.
  
• Broken Noses: Some fighters are more prone to nosebleeds and may even have procedures to cauterize blood vessels.
  
• Fractures: Shin and foot fractures from improperly checking kicks.

The cost of Fighting

Only the tough people can deal with the pain, that's for sure.

Dominic Cruz is a notable example. Despite criticisms about his punching power, he's undergone six hand surgeries! The toll fighting takes on the body is not to be underestimated.

How to Minimize Injury

Training smart is key to reducing injury. Learn body control in grappling and focus on drills to build muscle memory. Gleeful sparring and reckless fighting styles can lead to unnecessary injuries.

Grappling vs. Striking: Injury Areas

• Grappling: Greater risk of injury during practice. You’re prone to neck, shoulder, and back injuries.
• Striking: Higher risk in actual fights. You face injuries from punches that come without the cushion of padded gloves or shin guards.

Conclusion

In closing, deciding to become a professional fighter means embracing a life filled with physical challenges and unavoidable pain. Every fighter's path is different; some find themselves blessed with minor injuries, while others face repeated, severe pain.

Training wisely and knowing when to tap during practice can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the brutal physical aspects of fighting is essential for anyone wishing to enter this demanding world.

For those resilient and determined enough to embrace the pain, the world of professional fighting offers a unique and rewarding journey, albeit one paved with challenges.

Stay tough, stay smart, and embrace the challenge if you're ready. Grâce à la douleur, the sweetness of victory is a little more satisfying.