6 Things I Wish EVERYONE Knew About Competing In Fight Sports

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

What else do you think people should know before competing in fight sports???

[@SG-MT]

Mental training/toughness.

[@paulpelle3046]

You need to know YOURSELF very very well. MOST people are not equipped to handle the shock of someone coming right for them and literally trying to knock their head off. 🤷‍♂️ I’ve personally seen guys basically wave THEMSELVES off in a fight. Nothing really prepares you for being hit very hard by another dude with skills...than actually being hit very hard by another dude with skills! 😄 Basically, be honest with yourselves I’d say...because everyone romanticises about being in a ring...until the reality sinks in! Very few people can do it...even fit and conditioned folks. 🙏 PS. Fantastic honesty again Mr. Varga 👌👏

[@matthew-jy5jp]

I 👀 some more belts in your near future champ.

[@kawonewilliams1949]

People should know that you're always banged up. Not injured per say but little bumps and bruises are part of the game.

[@SG-MT]

@@kawonewilliams1949 exactly. My coach told me that if I actually wanted to fight, be prepared to be injured. Well, it didn't take long. Been training with a torn tfcc and a sprained ankle. Bruised knees, and elbows. Part of the process. I've accepted it. I love all of it! The good, bad, and the ugly. Even the pain.

[@ives3572]

“Martial arts is like a mountain. You see the top. And you hike and you climb, and you finally reach the peak, and you realize it was a false summit, and in front of you lies an entire new mountain range.” - Robert Owens

[@ireneeimbert71]

Mike Tyson used to cry before every one of his fights, that shows that fear spares no one. It's not about feeling it or not, it's how you deal with it that makes you a great fighter.

[@andrewlaw8121]

Just returning from a TKD match in Holland. Knowing your opponent is gassed is a real confidence boost.

[@insidetrip101]

You touched on it, but its not so much as not experiencing fear or nervousness, but instead transforming that fear or nervousness into excitement and aggression. It doesn't make the emotion go away, it only transfers the direction of the emotional energy from inward to outward.

[@ToiletDuckFan]

I can't believe you Gabriel. About 13yrs of TKD: ITF and WTF, non-Olympic sparring along with some other arts and boxing; AND I'm still learning SO VERY MUCH from you. Your amazing.

[@neonjesus8831]

That last one is too real. It took me FOREVER before I could compete with the butterflies in kickboxing personally.

[@ickypicky5993]

Ty gabriel! Your content is the best.

[@wolfhawk1999]

Thanks for the tips. Got my first fight (technically a scrimmage, but it's definitely going to be a fight) next month. I'm scared shitless. With that said, I'm working on cardio, mindset, and everything. I'm a heavyweight. Every time I don't want to jog, I think "do this, you don't want to get knocked the fuck out." Getting lazy with kicks, "you don't want to get knocked the fuck out." Getting tired and wanting to slack "work hard, you don't want to get knocked the fuck out." I guess that's my training mantra haha anyway, thanks for the great videos

[@kawonewilliams1949]

Your point about fear is so well put. My favorite fighter GSP always talked about how he was afraid before every fight. Very normal to feel fear.

[@paulpelle3046]

Nice comment Kawone Williams, spot-on dude.. 👌👏 I’ve said many times that Gabriel reminds me a LOT of GSP. The dedication, humility, honour, decency, technique, karate background (people forget that Shotokan was GSP’s first love), both Canadian, and both all-round essence of a true martial artist AND fighter... ...yet still with slight remorse about every person they hurt. 🙏 🥋

[@Demonstormlord]

Apparently, GSP had one fight where he wasn't afraid beforehand, and it was vs Matt Serra. He famously lost that fight, but then went on to reclaim his belt and go undefeated for years.

[@paulpelle3046]

@@Demonstormlord I remember watching that one live in USA when I lived there (on TV). It was kinda crazy. I recall GSP being extremely humbled, kinda shell shocked, and worried for his career at the time...I’m sure he even apologised to White. 🤔 Matt Serra was no slouch though...very good little fighter back then 👌 ...I don’t think anyone could have known how great GSP’s fight career would go on to become 🙏

[@kawonewilliams1949]

Thats sounds like something GSP would say and it makes a lot of sense. I'm glad he came back and demolished Matt. No one ever talks about that fight.

[@paulpelle3046]

@@kawonewilliams1949 yes, good point bro. VERY long time ago though!

[@robertm5038]

Thanks for great channel. Started Muay Thai 6 months ago (I live in Thailand currently) and the English input on so many topics has been so helpful. My Thai trainer is incredible but has limited English and I have so many questions 😂 You cover most of those topics.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Great to hear!

[@TheArgus1000]

Good luck with the Fight Gabriel!

[@stemstudentph9246]

I understand this. This is an upgraded version to the traditional martial arts competition, where you still see people getting ko btw.

[@mbavery1975]

Good luck on your fight! All good advice. Thanks

[@zenmorte2793]

Thanks for the amazing and real content Champ! 👊

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

My pleasure!!

[@Ssnyder135]

Perfect video and much needed thank you!

[@DrSomil]

Awesome video! Good luck with karate combat!

[@Ventus_the_Heathen]

When I fought amateur (4 fights, 3 wins, nothing crazy) my coach straight up told me I wasn't allowed to cut weight for my first fight except to maybe hit the sauna a little while before the way in. I was walking around at the top edge of the weight class we were looking to be in and weight cutting wasn't super popular in my little area so it worked out that the guy i was up against was only a couple of pounds heavier than me. I'm really grateful for that coach cause I was fully prepared to do whatever and looking back on it, that would've been a lot of strain on my body for something I ended up not wanting to devote my life too. Still practice and now even teach but that's where my heart is not in the ring

[@RPT369]

Great video :)

[@fnfal89]

Always great content thank you Gabe

[@Passion5092]

Fatigue makes cowards of us all. Vince Lombardi

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

👏👏👏

[@fanzi9]

Awesome tips

[@prescriptivegrammarian8721]

Well said. Love the topics you choose.

[@federicoloncan2539]

That V-neck refuses to quit.

[@matthew-jy5jp]

You going do great champ.

[@brandonfasy3154]

This was very helpful… thank you.

[@MrPeter924]

Great video great fighting training body workout

[@LucrativePerson]

I can’t say for sure since I have never had a proper fight in the ring but I enjoy fighting a lot the nerves only come to me on the way to the fight once I’m there it’s my zone

[@JT-yn6bk]

Even taking light shots in sparring is bad for your long term health, so it’s better to avoid the headshots in sparring if you can control it. Either through great defense or having sparring sessions with no head shots allowed

[@wolfhawk1999]

If you're that nervous about light head shots giving you brain damage, you may not want to fight

[@AxaFin]

isn't light shots just bad when you have already suffered a previous hard concussion? that's how I remember it.

[@sebastianquintana5412]

Gabriel since we don't know who your opponent is I dont wanna make too many assumptions, but is reasonable to think that he will be less accomplished than u in terms of achievements and expirience, ur a legend after all. Which had me thinking, do u see any parallels between your position right now as a stricking legend whose pulled some insane things off fighting young lions trying to prove themselves and what lerdsilla's situation was when u fought him? I just thought it was funny how u got ur upstart as a relatively unknown fighter competing v a legend in the sport and years later now ur the legend haha

[@Eddie-uk7xb]

Thanks for you videos

[@animegeek2141]

Love from india sir

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Amazing to have people from all around the world joining 🙏👍

[@giovanizumpichiatti2907]

You got fans here in Brasil too. Great channel, very helpfull for us beguinners.

[@95_Ends]

Thanks

[@nemanacemu2024]

I have to ask this question…. Why is there weight cutting in fighting sports ? Why doesn’t everyone fight at there natural weight ?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I'm guessing weight classes was the original idea to keep everyone fighting people their own size. Then some people started realizing they could get a size advantage by going down and back up in weight. Now pretty much everyone has to do it to keep up.

[@CEOdosPutos]

At this point it's very stupid because everyone Is fighting people the right size but going through a massive weight cut that absolutely kills the fighter in a couple o years. Every event should have dehidratation control, because about 15 pounds those guys cut is just water, so they will fight at least this amount heavier, If they are obligated to mantain dehidratation at a healthy level this shit would probably stop and fighters would compete longer and stronger each fight.

[@teruhuriwai7513]

Cause some guys are 5,4 and weigh 100 kgs who could go up against a 6,4 100kgs

[@jfloyo11]

I've sprained 8 toes since starting muay Thai lol.

[@SonOftheBattleCry]

Hopefully one day you can collab with Jeff from mmashreded y’all can do sparring an break it down also give tips together y’all are both in Canada so it’s possible

[@Willpower1997]

what about taking a fight on short notice?

[@rylewmma553]

Super curious on Gabriel s thoughts on the pace change for karate combat

[@SonOftheBattleCry]

He will after the fight

[@tien-n-g]

Is possible to get tougher somehow? Or in this case it is that You either are tough as nails or not at all? (sorry for my broken english i am not native speaker).

[@Gabriel-px8cv]

8:29 can you make a video on how we can do that? or is it something that only comes with experience?

[@maidenmadness1]

Massive fan of your content. What advice would you give to someone who has been a fan of fighting for 10+ years who wants to start but who almost feels like it's too late as a 26 year old non-athlete? It's something I've wanted to do since I was 19. I don't wanna be 50 and regretting not trying. Should I just go for it? Thanks in advance.

[@armandomaldonado7828]

To be top fighter in the world it might be a little late but it to learn it and do a few amateur or pro fights it's not. Get into it now and learn. Not gonna gain anything from waiting. Good luck! 👍🏽

[@schotti3075]

I started when I was 25,zero experience but with full passion. Now I already do instruction and have my first fight and got pretty decent. It's not to late and you will improve very fast if you take the time. It's Life changing and a lot of fun, just go for it :)

[@maidenmadness1]

@topher nolastname excellent post, thanks a lot man. I gotta check out Fitch's stuff.

[@magharninja1811]

Niceeeeeee

[@thillairajamma]

Hey Gabriel I'm a ambidextrous how could i choose my stance?

[@danielpitt986]

Practice both it may be easier for you

[@thejoojoo9999]

Go southpaw but practice both. Being southpaw is a natural advantage since it is unusual. Being able to do southpaw and Orthodox will be an even greater advantage

[@thillairajamma]

@@thejoojoo9999 thank you bro

[@wooden2621]

If you are practicing an art that uses kicks, check to see if one leg feels more dominant/natural to kick with than the other, and make that your rear leg. If both legs feel equal, go southpaw and eventually get decent switching stances. Im cross dominant (similar to ambidextrous), and as far as punching goes my hands are the same, but my left leg definitely stronger than my right, so it made sense to be a "natural" southpaw. Hope this helps

[@paulpelle3046]

@@thejoojoo9999 no offence, but I don’t think that’s the greatest advice ever bro. Hear me out: Very few people are going to be ‘pure’ ambidextrous. I’m a southpaw, but also rather ambidextrous in many ways. I write left-handed, but most other things I do ‘orthodox’ (especially sports). So, I’d describe myself as ‘left hand dominant with ambidextrous tendencies’. A weird one! 😜 Basically, people who aren’t sure really, MUST try both, until one stance presents itself as feeling most natural and instinctive. 🙏 Yes, I’d agree that being southpaw has many natural advantages (apart from technique classes, trust me! 🤭), but forcing a southpaw stance would be a terrible idea. But if it feels right? Definitely go with it. 💪 You’re right about the switching stances thing too. I constantly switch between stances, and it feels very natural to me, and opens up sooo many more options, and footwork/angles...most my power shots are southpaw though...left roundhouses included. ✌️

[@SirMikeys]

I watch your channel and practice boxing for the love of martial arts. I want to get my friends to practice martial arts because of the different types of benifits it may bring, but most of them are intimidated by the thought of violence. Any tips on convincing people to give martial arts a try?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Bring them in for a 1 on 1 session with you. Just teach them the basics and hold pads. Most people have a blast doing that and it might just be the small introduction they need to get excited.

[@SirMikeys]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial Thanks Gabriel! I'll give it a try

[@ihabbnani1383]

4

[@K7shortx]

2

[@randolphmok5998]

Only a psychopath who can't fell scare, mercy, n emphati. Cus their brain don't have nerve that triggered those things. a psychopath of they've raised right they will be a fearless police, or platoon leader in the army. I'll get the link about that. But if you're like Gabriel or me. I always scared every time i have a fight. Taekwondo fight. N I always remember my 1st coach. My dad said" prepare your mind that you could die in this fight. Crazy right? No cus death is inevitable. At least in this Matt, ring or cage. I know how I'm going to die. N that's makes me less scared. But when you throw or block those punches or kicks all.gone. now your mind is in battle mode. All you see is your opponent. That's my prey. What I scare more than fighting is an accident. Why? You can't predict an accident so I always drive under the speed limit. I've an car accident with a bus that almost kill me. Broke my left arm so bad. Some part of my bones was crushed. Now my left arm has a bone replacement to connect cus is crushed into tiny pieces can't glue it. So I will has this plate for life. Thank God is stiill able to punch. But not chock. My pulling power is gone. No grappling for me

[@vindicator75]

First

[@joshstrom8660]

7th thing should be not watching this channel,huge mistake to make