Scott, don’t let that guy keep you from posting.
I’m an old guy, 52 years, was always involved in martial arts and got into MMA when I saw UFC 2.
Guys today have no idea what it was like then. Finding people to train with, places to train, it wasn’t easy and the sport was brand new. People were still figuring how to train, what worked, and what was bullshit.
The guys I trained with did what we could, and much of that was beating the shit out of each other and anyone who showed up. It wasn’t even close to what the Lions Den did, but the idea was the same - learn to fight by fighting. Take your beatings to learn to give beatings.
Was it the best way for long term health ? No . But it made everyone hard, physically and mentally. You had to have a cruel streak and enjoy hurting people, because you’d get animals off the street coming in to test you.
Hearing the stories about how the most successful team in early MMA did it is great, and for us who have followed the sport since the beginning this is fascinating stuff.
The sport has evolved, for better and for worse,and that’s fine with me. That’s how life is. But today’s guys will never understand the old days and the old ways. It was a special moment in time. In a way, we were pioneers, vikings going to battle. Most , like me, never went far , we trained and fought in little shows and loved it, and that was enough.
Some though, like you, fought at the top. I probably speak for a lot of old timers here - thank you for taking your time to share some of the stories and insights that you have. Sincerely
