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)