Respect Your Opponent: Exercise of Life (Part 2)

So in Part 1 I gave everyone an anlysis from what I've seen in the community on how the opponent is  and should be viewed. Reading part 1 you might be asking yourself a question maybe this is true monta and if so...in your experience how do you (yourself) walk into a situation with competing against the opposition ?

My Opinion of an Opponent (through my experience)

The Purpose of competition no matter how you look at it is to build individuals. Whether it is chasing to become a world champion, showing how “tough” you are, or personal development no matter category you fall under striving to become the best should always the main objective. Stuck in my own little world based on my purpose/reasons for competing I tend to view my opponent these days as an exercise in bettering various aspects of my life (technical growth as a grappler but mostly my life outside of martial arts). As mentioned at the beginning of my blog life has presented me with good and bad times along the course. Same exercise can be said when facing an opponent because during the collision you never know what to expect. Nevertheless you realistically have no choice but to go through the brunt to see the outcome which hopefully tips in your favor.

Aside from the typical nerves that come over me the night before I fight never in my mind do I have negative thoughts or intentions on what I’m going to do to an opponent for my own personal enjoyment/benefit. If anything  above all I pray for protection to GOD for both of our well-beings as we go out there and fight for our own goals/purpose. Eliminating these negative thoughts I go in with  a more positive aspect for fighting and overcoming the fears that sit inside of me as I anxiously anticipate the knowledge I will gain by going through the opponent.

Going into the actual “battle” I always carry a high notion that my opponent is better than me in every aspect. It kind of the total opposite from what is required to win a match but it what makes me that more determine to see what the outcome is by giving it everything I have in challenging myself while also hopefully helping him in the process. Living in each crucial moment in my actions in combat, during  the fight it practically  a blur to me which is a feeling I still can’t explain whether I’m going through pain or dishing it out. What I can say is when time expires on the clock and the bout is over I certainly feel like a different man 1 % better than I felt stepping on the mat prior.

Fight Outcome Emotion

In victory I am grateful that I was able to come out on top against an equally matched contender (no matter how dominant I am).  I embrace my opponent by thanking for his assistance in giving me a great fight and small boast in self-worth of the strength I displayed under pressure. And if I happen to end up on the medal podium it even a greater feeling of the storm I went through to get that particular gratifying moment. I may also do a big Ric Flair woooooooo at the end to (just to get some happy emotions out of my system) once my opponent steps off the mat. 

Losing is something we never go out to do but unfortunately it something that comes with the game.In the past (based on a particular event some of you are aware of) I would take losing very personal cause it felt like someone was taking something away from me (still cant recall what it was) leaving me physically and emotionally beaten . Flash forward to today's time line losing today is more of a numb feeling than a painful one. If I am faced with this unfortunate result of the match (hopefully someone I went against  or seen me can verify this) I never take it to heart or get  angry in the slightest.

In fact I am humbled as I accept the hard learned facts given to me that day as I congratulate and show respect to my opponent for the feat he accomplished during that moment. After all there are more things to be upset about in life on the outside than not getting my hand raised.

Overall Message

This blog’s intent is not geared toward making a person have a different competitive mindset but rather establish some form of comprehension as to the importance of what having an opponent does for you. It’s no question it is an opposing challenge standing in front of you yet it that individual helps benefit us in many ways. It makes me super sick when I see people how they act so arrogantly toward an individual afterwards who carries the same nervous and bravery they have stepping into a fight. How a person parade around with their medal talking about how they fuck him up with no clear idea of what it’s truly about. Not only does it show you have no respect for the experience life has given you but also show insecurities you need to work on.

Note: there are certain things that are totally ok to do afterwards feel free to ask me my opinion.


I can’t stress enough what life on the outside has shown me this past year and it is these roller coaster experiences I’ve encountered which have allowed me to come to a realization of the reality of competing that no matter how much I want something nothing is guaranteed but it doesn’t hurt to go through it to try and obtain it. This is what my opponents have  shown me ( aka Exercise of Life).

Thx Opponents !!!!

1% better everyday

-monta’ ( like Monday with a “t” replacing the d)

Respect Your Opponent: Exercise of Life (Part 1)

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned these past couple of months is the importance of always valuing and respecting the gift of LIFE. One minute I found myself grieving over a friend’s death. Next I was back in Seattle having the time of my life with great friends. Then out of nowhere I lost all hearing in my left ear and other strange health issues when I returned to Los Angeles (I’m ok now btw). It’s rollercoaster occurrences like these that has allowed me to have a respect for life in order to work through highs and lows to find some form of clarity for learning and growing in the process.

Being a writer in the BJJ/MMA community and a participant  myself I tend to always have a sense of appreciation for everything around me. From the people I have meet to the experiences I’ve undergone it has definitely given me a level up in fearless, strength, humility and other attributes in my personal building to becoming better.

Even in an uncomfortable and hostile territory of competing rewards like these can be gained as one goes head to head against an individual commonly referred to as an OPPONENT.

In the world of combat sports where emotions run high and physical beatings are administrated depending upon an individual’s background, outlook , and personality various descriptions can be made as to what an OPPONENT truly is.  Even as I type this blog it’s somewhat a challenge even for me to fully describe a person I don’t know or had prior quarrels with whose job is to beat my ass for his own motives and based on that permission consent when I signed that damn health waiver so I can’t sue his ass afterwards. –haha-

So allow me to take a crack as I paint my own interpretation on what this person is.

As contenders or person of life in general we are bound by the sole commitment toward having goals and perfecting ourselves to reach a level of contentment (check out the contentment blog btw). Unfortunately during this process things aren’t always peaches and cream as we are guarantee to encounter some roadblocks which may lead to dangerous altercations causing damage to us through our progression.

 In the competitive environment that we participate in the opponent is THAT roadblock. This roadblock can poses a great threat to us in reaching the top of the medal podium or implanting emotional discouragement within ourselves as he slaps his teammates high five in approval and smile graciously in his moment of prosperity while we wallow away in misery. In the moment of the threats I previously mentioned and physical damage accumulated on the battle mat an opponent can quickly be perceived as the ENEMY.

By definition an ENEMY is someone you have hatred for based on a series of events which leads to a serious conclusion where the results showcases one’s complete demises  which are bound by no rules or fair play during the dispute. 

I see a lot of quotes from people as they prepare to fight that enemy. I’m gonna kick his ass, time to break some limbs, and even (no offense) bible verses to support ones reasoning for violence it apparent self-centered values toward ones goals is needed  to amp one mental state in preparation for the enemy. However unlike battles between US/Foreign Countries, Crip/Bloods, or Rap Beefs which have ended thousands of lives and changed generations for the worse gratefully the only thing we have to worry about in this “war” is a temporary bruised ego and maybe some sore body parts.

Now by definition an OPPONENT is merely an individual on the opposite side of the game we are playing. In the confines of rules and regulations it simply a contest between two people in the same field of interest.

In a world where martial arts give us the opportunity to test ourselves and evolve on many fronts that individual we so cold-heartedly call the enemy is actually a person on the same path goal you are on. This meeting of interest leads in aiding each other under extreme conditions in that aspiring pursuit that teaches us pros and cons about ourselves in preparation for the tough road ahead.

In other words without an opponent one will never unlock their full potential to reaching their perceived dream of contentment... which it why is essential to Respect your Opponent.

Let these ideas sink into your brain for now....In part 2 I will talk about my experience in dealing with an opponent !!! stay tuned !!