Has anyone else given up on MMA? I think I've finally lost all confidence that I can ever be a fighter....
I used to feel like I had potential to be a UFC champion... but now I'm freaking scared to even take a local amateur fight!
I used to feel like I knew what MMA was before everyone else did. I felt like I had a big head start and that the sport hadn't seen intelligence like mine yet. But now I feel like MMA has finally been figured out, and its been figured out so well, that now it comes down to who's more athletic/genetically gifted on top of their talents. I used to feel like MMA was my own special thing I could turn to, and nobody else was interested like now. I almost felt like I knew this huge secret noone else did. MMA was such an advantage for me as a person... the diet that comes with it, the mental game, the physical strength & cardio etc. Nowadays everyone knows all the nuances of the sport & the strengths MMA can bring you as a human being... you know what I mean?
When I used to watch TUF, I would imagine myself on the cast and winning the show. Now when I watch it, I just get depressed. There are so many fighters out there in this world its unbelievable. It doesn't matter how good you think you are now ... because there's someone already out there with even more confidence working even harder than you.
Plus, the complete fighter has already been built imo. Idk how anyone believes they will honestly get better than Jose Aldo... or freaking Anderson Silva. That is the most perfect Muay Thai/BJJ fighter you can create. Then you got the Boxer/Wrestlers like Dan Hendo and Rashad Evans.... & can you even imagine the fighters to come in just a few years?!? It's very uninspiring imo...
I guess it also comes down to... Is it really worth it? Gym memberships are expensive and you have to train full time nowadays or you will get seriously injured. There's no dabbling into MMA as everyone should know already. You got to either commit to it, or don't, and I think at this point I'm content with just being a fan. The damage the fighters take while fighting is amazing. That's the part everyone overlooks, how much you can take... not give.
MMA has also had a change in its "athletes" over the years. Back in the day it used to be the core tough guys... now its super athletes that aren't really wild or crazy people. Similar to motocross racing in a way, the champions are all a bunch of young kids that are still fearless in life, & not the wild Evil KnEvil type daredevils it used to be. People realize the risks that come from these type of sports and choose rather to be spectators than participate.
Has anyone else given up on their dreams of becoming a UFC champ because of these same reasons? I know I'm not the only one who feels this way and I've been waiting a long time to say it. I've actually felt this way since atleast around the time of Aldo vs Faber. Overall there's just too many fighters nowadays and imo everyone's figured out MMA for the most part. 
2009: Hey bro, just going to go win UFC by being better than everyone else BRB
2011: Shit, waited too long. They're all better than me now.
The Hulkster - You sound like a pussy and a homo
fighting ain't for you (not that you've ever been in a real fight in your life anyway)
Take it easy keyboard warrior...
OP, I agree. This sport is so young that it's constantly changing and impossible to tell who or what style is going to be successful in the future. I remember back in the day going to watch Pride with my buddies from school; everyone thought they would stand a chance in the ring with the champ. It's a lot less common nowadays with the growing popularity but there will always be those numbskulls who think they are God in a human's body. Some people will just never get it; be glad you did before getting your face pounded in ;)
i'm an mma hobbyist..i never had any illusions about being a champ. i just do it for fun.
blonde chicks always post the funniest things.
The Hulkster -Chronic For The Cure -The Hulkster - You sound like a pussy and a homo
fighting ain't for you (not that you've ever been in a real fight in your life anyway)
Take it easy keyboard warrior...
OP, I agree. This sport is so young that it's constantly changing and impossible to tell who or what style is going to be successful in the future. I remember back in the day going to watch Pride with my buddies from school; everyone thought they would stand a chance in the ring with the champ. It's a lot less common nowadays with the growing popularity but there will always be those numbskulls who think they are God in a human's body. Some people will just never get it; be glad you did before getting your face pounded in ;)
YOU KNOW WHO I AM, FAGGOT?
"Boo boo this one time me and my butt buddies circle jerked to PRIDE because we accidentally rented it based on the title, and my boyfriend thought he wouldn't have to take bottoms from Kevin Randleman"
I SHOULD TAKE YOUR LITTLE WINKY FACE, TURN THAT SUMBITCH SIDEWAYS, AND STICK IT STRAIGHT UP YOUR CANDY ASS!
You're probably a little kid so I won't instigate but no, I do not know who you are. On here however, you are no different/better than anyone else with a mud name including myself. You'll get yours in due time, everyone does. One of these days you'll pull that same stunt on someone you shouldn't have and they will treat you to the lesson of your lifetime. Until then, happy posting friend.
Why not just focus on becoming a better martial artist. Forget MMA and focus on BJJ then do some competitions. After you are comfortable there do some Muay Thai for a couple years then do an Ammy tournament in that. Then when you have your skills and IF you still want to test yourself take an amateur MMA match.
Seems to me like your missing the point of doing it in the first place if you are giving up on martial arts because you can't be a champion. That's not what it's about.
And btw I agree UFC fighters are highly trained athletes these days but there are multiple levels of competition out there in which to test your skills.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Train and have fun with it. There are people out there that can't even do that.
The Hulkster -Chronic For The Cure -The Hulkster -Chronic For The Cure -The Hulkster - You sound like a pussy and a homo
fighting ain't for you (not that you've ever been in a real fight in your life anyway)
Take it easy keyboard warrior...
OP, I agree. This sport is so young that it's constantly changing and impossible to tell who or what style is going to be successful in the future. I remember back in the day going to watch Pride with my buddies from school; everyone thought they would stand a chance in the ring with the champ. It's a lot less common nowadays with the growing popularity but there will always be those numbskulls who think they are God in a human's body. Some people will just never get it; be glad you did before getting your face pounded in ;)
YOU KNOW WHO I AM, FAGGOT?
"Boo boo this one time me and my butt buddies circle jerked to PRIDE because we accidentally rented it based on the title, and my boyfriend thought he wouldn't have to take bottoms from Kevin Randleman"
I SHOULD TAKE YOUR LITTLE WINKY FACE, TURN THAT SUMBITCH SIDEWAYS, AND STICK IT STRAIGHT UP YOUR CANDY ASS!
You're probably a little kid so I won't instigate but no, I do not know who you are. On here however, you are no different/better than anyone else with a mud name including myself. You'll get yours in due time, everyone does. One of these days you'll pull that same stunt on someone you shouldn't have and they will treat you to the lesson of your lifetime. Until then, happy posting friend.
WHOA you have me pegged!
Quit projecting your insecurities on others ya fucking queer.
What insecurities am I projecting exactly?
I wanted to when i was 22 but work got in the way. Now I'm almost 29 and have given up 100 %. I have trained on and off though.
I gave up on my dream of being the 205 champ when I got a hand permanently stuck in a Pringles can.
If I act now I could probably still be HW champ...but if I smoke dope instead I'll just wait to be champ of the SHW division when they add one.
Immaculata - Don't be too hard on yourself. Train and have fun with it. There are people out there that can't even do that.
qft
unless you're already a young, fairly successful, genetic freak i don't see how anyone can motivate themselves into believing they'll take down someone like jon jones.
i always assumed most people fought cause they enjoyed it and got their motivation from improving.
seems like those who get their motivation from wanting to become a world champion are the kind that have been training non stop since they were like 10.
noisebully - unless you're already a young, fairly successful, genetic freak i don't see how anyone can motivate themselves into believing they'll take down someone like jon jones.
this
B3LI3VE - Has anyone else given up on MMA? I think I've finally lost all confidence that I can ever be a fighter....
I used to feel like I had potential to be a UFC champion... but now I'm freaking scared to even take a local amateur fight!
I used to feel like I knew what MMA was before everyone else did. I felt like I had a big head start and that the sport hadn't seen intelligence like mine yet. But now I feel like MMA has finally been figured out, and its been figured out so well, that now it comes down to who's more athletic/genetically gifted on top of their talents. I used to feel like MMA was my own special thing I could turn to, and nobody else was interested like now. I almost felt like I knew this huge secret noone else did. MMA was such an advantage for me as a person... the diet that comes with it, the mental game, the physical strength & cardio etc. Nowadays everyone knows all the nuances of the sport & the strengths MMA can bring you as a human being... you know what I mean?
When I used to watch TUF, I would imagine myself on the cast and winning the show. Now when I watch it, I just get depressed. There are so many fighters out there in this world its unbelievable. It doesn't matter how good you think you are now ... because there's someone already out there with even more confidence working even harder than you.
Plus, the complete fighter has already been built imo. Idk how anyone believes they will honestly get better than Jose Aldo... or freaking Anderson Silva. That is the most perfect Muay Thai/BJJ fighter you can create. Then you got the Boxer/Wrestlers like Dan Hendo and Rashad Evans.... & can you even imagine the fighters to come in just a few years?!? It's very uninspiring imo...
I guess it also comes down to... Is it really worth it? Gym memberships are expensive and you have to train full time nowadays or you will get seriously injured. There's no dabbling into MMA as everyone should know already. You got to either commit to it, or don't, and I think at this point I'm content with just being a fan. The damage the fighters take while fighting is amazing. That's the part everyone overlooks, how much you can take... not give.
MMA has also had a change in its "athletes" over the years. Back in the day it used to be the core tough guys... now its super athletes that aren't really wild or crazy people. Similar to motocross racing in a way, the champions are all a bunch of young kids that are still fearless in life, & not the wild Evil KnEvil type daredevils it used to be. People realize the risks that come from these type of sports and choose rather to be spectators than participate.
Has anyone else given up on their dreams of becoming a UFC champ because of these same reasons? I know I'm not the only one who feels this way and I've been waiting a long time to say it. I've actually felt this way since atleast around the time of Aldo vs Faber. Overall there's just too many fighters nowadays and imo everyone's figured out MMA for the most part.
Great post ! 
Yup good honest post. Shame about the twelve year old trolls that feel the urge to reply on threads like this :-/
I'm not ready to give up. I've had one amateur fight and I won. But I didn't win by being a better fighter, I won because because I had the heart of a lion (not my words. One of the commissioners came up to me after the fight and told me lol) I feel like I have the mental tools, I just need to get my body on par with my mind. I just don't have any way to commit right now. But I'm only 20, so I have some time.
I wonder if Hulkster likes pretending he's tough
Love MMA. Love to trane. But I'm also realistic. It's borderline disrespectful that these average joes believe they can be big time mma fighters because they're tough and can probably beat up their friends. While it's not gotten to the point of the NBA yet it's getting there. The time, dedication, skill that the top level guys have theses days is amazing. I've been humbled by guys at the gym plenty of times and even as good as these guys are they're not in the UFC.
Erik Tracey - I'm not ready to give up. I've had one amateur fight and I won. But I didn't win by being a better fighter, I won because because I had the heart of a lion (not my words. One of the commissioners came up to me after the fight and told me lol) I feel like I have the mental tools, I just need to get my body on par with my mind. I just don't have any way to commit right now. But I'm only 20, so I have some time. <img src="/images/phone/droid.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
if you're only 20 you should not give up.
my last comment was directed to us older guys.