I’m thrilled and relieved that I won my fight. Relief is always my first emotion lately, then elation, then satisfaction, then pride in myself, my growth, and efforts. Next, I feel gratitude, for my coaches, friends, fans, and UFC people (Mick, Dana, etc) for giving me the opportunity to fight in such a great organization.
I haven’t really written a lot of blogs lately. That’s because I was so depressed and heartbroken after my last fight. My blogs just came out sounding blue. I dunno if anybody else thought so, but I did. My UFC.com interview made it sound like I was depressed. Hah. -_-; Well. I didn’t even want to train for a while. Luckily, I don’t need motivation because I have discipline. Smile and carry on! Or don’t smile and carry on. ^^;
Well, I overcame a lot, pulled it together in my life and in the gym, had a decent camp, and came out with the win. I trained through a bunch of injuries which was really hard mentally, not to mention physically, but ended up feeling really good in the end. I went into the fight with no pain! Thank you, self, for all your hard work. Doing thought replacement and trying to be positive all the time takes a lot of mental energy, so good job, me. Thanks, body, for sucking it up, and also my trainer Lorenzo, therapists Tera, Heather, and Teri.
Andrea is so good – skilled and strong. Man, when they first offered her to me, I thought, “Just great, I barely managed to win the first time, and now she’s improved!” But as a martial artist, I embrace challenges. I’m not afraid. Bring it on.
It felt great to be out of the lock-down and train again with Coach John. Come to think of it, he’s been coaching me the longest out of everybody in my career! From my first schools in Massachusetts, to Japan, to Vegas, seven years with Coach John has been the longest. He cornered me from TUF 18, through Invicta, back into the UFC! September 13th is the anniversary of me joining Syndicate.
I also resumed training with my mentor and friend Mike Pyle on a weekly basis.
Shout out to Jawknee, Guns, and Jordan the Monkey King for helping me prepare.
I sharpened the ax and learned a lot of new, helpful things. Thanks, Emily Whitmire, for helping me with all those private wrestling lessons. They really paid off! Also Valerie, who was always there for me in shark tanks and challenging me in jiujitsu ways. You guys were invaluable to me. I also used techniques AJ and Neil had shown me.
Things are better now. This win certainly helped. It was nice to have a really tough fight and pull through.
I wore Luffy’s straw hat for weigh-ins! I got jean shorts, a see-through mask, and a red Reebok Hoodie I was gonna wear and take off, but they wouldn’t let me wear them! They said 1) the jean shorts weren’t Reebok (please, there was no brand name showing!) 2) the hoodie was two years old (COME ON, it’s REEBOK, who cares how old?? I got it FROM the UFC) 3) the mask had to be white or black. wtf It was black around the edges. VERY DISAPPOINTING, REEBOK. Come on.
Well, I think people recognized me anyway! Like five fighters gave me fist bumps and fans got it, so I’m pleased. 🙂 It could have been so much better, though. Cramp’n my style. I guess I should focus on being grateful Reebok gives me a little cash for sponsorship.
I have a grappling match set for October 25th in Submission Pro in Texas! I think there’s going to be an audience?! I also owe Submission Underground a fight, since I had to pull out due to Covid earlier in the year. I think I’m going to get to see one of my best friends Candy in Texas!
My Syndicate best friend Serena Southpaw is fighting in Miami in two weeks! I think I’m going to corner her. We gotta figure out that whole situation but I’m excited for her. She’s fighting for Titan FC, which will be broadcast on UFC Fightpass! 😀 Please tune in and support her!
I really hope I can visit my dad after Serena’s fight! I miss my parents. STUPID COVID! STOP SCREWING UP PEOPLE’S LIVES. My mom and aunt told me outright not to come. 🙁 Bah
Smile and carry on?
It was a good weekend. I can’t wait to keep improving and getting stronger! Thank you to everyone who sent positive energy my way! Andrea, thank you for the good fight. It was close and you are awesome. I respect you so much. I know we have to step on each other’s careers in order to reach our own dreams, up high above our heads. I kind of wish I didn’t have to be the one to step on yours. But how cool we got to have an epic battle in the UFC!? May you bounce back and beat up your next opponent.
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