Anyone freeze their first bout?

[groundcontrol]

At risk of all possible heckling...(actually, I really don't give a #$@%^) I'll admit that I simply froze my first match. My training was good...I was tapping the guys I train with 2-to-one...I was confident, in shape. But once I was in the cage, I choked.

I wasn't scared...just kinda stupified by the 3000 fans, the lights, music, etc. So I walked into about 20 punches and earned myself the losing end of a TKO inside of a minute. (not kidding about the number of punches I took...but at least I know I can take em now ) I think the ref just stopped the fight because I wasn't fighting back, and I was left standing there thinking "wait, I wasn't ready...start over!"

My "little"brother won his fight by rear choke in 30 seconds @ 185 lbs...I'm 155 and can give him a run for his money on the mat...so I don't think I'm a weenie, but I'm still kinda mystified as to what happened in that fight. I guess it was just nerves. I mean if I get in a spur-of-the-moment brawl outside the cage, I don't have time to get nervous, and I just do what needs to be done. Freezing like that was a first, and I still feel like a dumbass.

Anyone else brave enough to admit anything similar, or have some advice to share? I have another fight in May & that first "fight" has left me with some confidence issues...not in my technical abilities, but in my ability to keep my wits when the hype is up.

[Hit Boy]

Whats up ground control,

All trash talking aside, I wont be afraid to admit that my fight I had a few weeks ago which was my MMA debut, I was more nervous than a mouse in a snake pit...I was not nervous about my opponent I was more nervous or scared that I would not perform to my ability, I trained for 1 full year in MMA before I stepped in, all of the wrestling tournaments, all of the boxing matches, all of the Karat tournaments I had been in was nothing compared to those 10 lonely steps I took into the cage. my butterflies were in my legs not my stomach, believe it or not I was really nervous. The moment I stepped into the cage all of the noise, all of the fans dissapeared, the only thing I could hear was my heart pounding. as I looked across the other end of the cage I could only see my opponent and the yellow matt , thats when I got tunnel vision. and could only see the guy I was fighting, I could have fainted and not even realized it..I think it was not until about a minute into the fight is when I froze and I grabbed the first thing I could get a hold of and that was his head, I was not gonna let go for anything..I honestly did not have a choice I FROZE and dont remeber anything after I grabed him. The next thing I knew I was getting pushed out of the way by the ref and seeing my opponent on the matt. Although it was not the same out come you had experienced, I can honestly say I was more scared of falling or tripping and having him fall on top of me. I did not want to let my fans down so I ended it as soon as I could. I guess the advice I would offer you in regards to your confidence...Dont think about what you do just do it.. trust that you train with better guys in the gym than the guy you will fight in the cage. Stay realaxed and enjoy the moment, one piece of advice one of my most inspirational fighters (Cal Worsham) told me before my fight. I am not doing it just for me, I am "stepping into the cage for all of those people that cant" dont be over anxious and use up all of your energy before your fight because its gonna happen anyways, let out your energy when Herb Dean or Cecial Peoples say Lets get it on.

[stutter]

I admire that you two aren't afraid to put it out there. It tells alot about who you guys are. It allows for us to be humble, I know alot of us dont want to show weekness, but you know what who cares. Do what you do and be good at it. Good luck guys

[hay]

yes i still go get nervious... and the guy i train.. that fool is 3 and 0. but he is the bigest wimp till right before he walks out.... then its on ..... so just keep training and u be fine... george

[Guest]

In my last fight I had no signs of any nerves. I controlled the fight early, but once I started "thinking" instead of "fighting"...then the nerves dumped into my legs. After a couple minutes I was able to clear my head and work through it. This is just like any other sport, the more you do it, the less nerves you'll have...and the action will slow down.