Competitor Analysis: The Strong vs. The Weak

Since returning to competition one of the biggest things I have been thoroughly investigating is the “Mental” element of fighting. When you think of this topic it truly correlates with the Battle Within. From the nerves to being in the fight itself every aspect of a person’s emotions can reveal not only their purpose but also the outcome of the match.

Just recently I got a chance to see this first hand through a series of events that happened in the last 7 days. In this piece I will cover the separation of strong and weak in competition. Widely overlooked it is something that really tells the story of a competitor. Last Sunday I got the opportunity to be a scorekeeper at the No-Gi NABJJ tournament . I thought it would be a dull experience but I was wrong. Sitting courtside allowed me to interact with the competitors before/ after their matches and also witness their transformation as they get ready to fight in battle.

Analyzing each competitor I can pretty much tell which one was going to win (and 90 % of the time I was correct). When they walked out each competitor was game but as anything in life when shit hits you in the face that is when one finds out how tough you are and how bad do you want it. One thing I looked at was the fighter’s eyes (I know weird). In the heat of battle some guys looked like they gave up when they first got taken down by their more purposely driven opponent as their eyes pretty was telling those in attendance  “What the Hell am I doing here wish I was at home watching the Sunday football game” !!!

This all goes back to my promotion of having a purpose when going out to compete. Whether it be to a better man, winning gold, or making the best of your experience it really helps you carry something with you into combat so you wont become weak in the fight. First lets take a look at the strong side of the competitor spectrum.
 

A great example of this theory is a video I saw on the web of an in-house gi tournament featuring Brett Weekly who also took 2^nd place at the NABJJ No-Gi tourney I was score keeping at. As you can see in the video it really showed who wanted it more and who was looking for the madness to end. Which explains the reason Brett beat this opponent.

Seeing him compete at the No-Gi tournament myself he went in with the same attitude and purpose of doing well and although he lost in the finals Brett Still seemed happy with his performance and what he accomplished that day.

Now the weak. Example of this can be seen from yesterday’s UFC event in the fight between BJ Penn and Rory McDonanld. Regarded as a fearless competitor whose killer instinct allowed him to devour the opposition  it seemed as though the tables were turned on the Prodigy that night. Looking at the fight it was very hard to watch as BJ clearly told thousands of viewers he didn’t want to be there. On many occasions in the second round from his facial experssion to him not defending himself properly it is as though he was begging McDonanld to finish him off. However being the arrogant fighter he is Rory did what BJ was known to do in the past and publicly humiliating him prolonging his suffering going on to earn a unanimous decision victory.

Looking at these observations I’m trying to show you the difference between someone who wants it and someone that doesn’t.

So the next question lies how do you maintain a predator mentality hunting for what you want instead of being the prey all the time ? Here are some tips.

1.       When signing up for any tournament start off by asking yourself why are you entering this event (purpose)- if it just  to have “FUN” or just to "Compete"you're as good as dead b4 you step on the mat. You gotta have a reason (purpose) for putting yourself in harms way which will allow you to make the best of this life changing expereince.

2.       Strengthen you Purpose- This formula you may have to go deeper and may be the toughest for anyone  going to compete. Start off with a purpose and start breaking it down to something I call the “Why Reaction”

Ex: I want to be a world champion Why? Because I am the best Why? Why? -If you can get pass the 5^th time you ask yourself Why you are practically game for success.

3.       Develop a Sentence that will stick in your head throughout the event- It allows you to eliminate all worries. You might be nervous but the sentence you create centered on your purpose will carry you through the war.

Ex: my sentence at grappling x event was- “I don’t have to be Champion, Just a better man than I once was”

4.       Make sure it’s about you- I hear a lot of people say I’m doing this for my team. Instructor, to prove something to someone…make someone else proud of me….F that. That is one of the main reason why competitors get destroyed in tournaments because they are trying to live someone else dreams and not their own.

5.       Make sure to train (which is obvious) :-) and keep you purpose in your mind while training

If you follow these steps you will notice a totally different person in battle (trust me). In all this entry is meant to show competiors mindframe in combat but also meant to show you how to develop a stronger mentality for competing with a purpose to see you through.


-monta