Does Fallon Fox Really Have An Unfair Advantage?

With much thought and consideration, I think it's time to get some interaction. With WMMA being quite close to my heart, I've decided to write about something current and concerning. There’s been quite a bit of hype in the world of MMA about Fallon Fox and whether or not she has an unfair advantage over other female MMA fighters.

Fallon Fox, born Boyd Burton on November 29, 1975 is the first openly transgender athlete in MMA history. Medical experts point out that “male to female transsexuals have significantly less muscle strength and bone density, and higher fat mass, than males."

Medical examinations aside, Fallon is of “average” female height and weight and feels she does not have an advantage over other female fighters.

In every MMA fight, athletes are generally matched up according to their weight and their record in terms of experience. In some instances, their opponent may have a height advantage, or a reach advantage and they have to deal with that. And that's what they do, they deal with it.

This brings us back to the question: Does Fallon Fox have an unfair advantage over other female athletes in MMA? Does she? Does she really?

This is a pretty debatable topic and could get ugly, so I’m running with this post at the risk of receiving some criticism. I don’t think that Fallon has an unfair advantage. As an athlete in the Martial Arts industry, I’ve learnt that it’s not about who your opponent is. The athlete and their camp are going to emphasise training certain disciplines and techniques in preparation for a fight, but at the end of the day it’s not about who your opponent is.

Think about it, if you were going to base accepting a fight on whom your opponent would be (granted that they’re on the same level of experience and weight as you), do you really think that would make for a successful career?

What are your thoughts and opinions on Fallon, as a transgender female in WMMA?

 

Pain Is Weakness Leaving The Body

I would make up some lame excuse as to why I haven’t posted anything in a while, but that’s just not me. It’s fairly difficult to remain positive all the time, not impossible, just difficult… These past few days were quite rough, lots going through my mind, lots happening, etc. but no need to worry, this post comes with lots of excitement and a sort of “back on track” feel, opposing the last few days’ feelings.

I don’t know if you’re at all familiar with the feeling, but when you wake up on a Saturday morning feeling motivated, you know it’s going to be an amazing day filled with positivity! Having your training session pre-planned, following through and sticking it out through every single burn...

Getting to lunge number 219 and reminding yourself, you’re only on set number two, you’ve crunched your way to rock solid (but crazy burning) abs and still have just over 200 more squats to go before you’ve completed your warm up…  

Just in case you’re wondering if I can still walk after all that, yes… because it’s mind over matter. I was going to keep this blog out of public sight (despite the fact that there are already people out there who know about it and check back every now and again for more posts- you stalk me, I stalk you ;) haha), however, as all artists and writers have a muse (a spirit or source that inspires an artist), I do too.

You know that ONE person you can rely on for anything, at anytime, regardless of what the situation may be? That person who motivates you at all the right times, who picks you up after a major fall, who inspires you when you’re at a low, who’s changed your life for the better, just by being a part of it… Thank You!

Train Hard, Fight Easy

I'm never entirely sure how often I'm suppose to post, but I guess when I have a thought I'd like to share, and I have the free time, sounds just about right.

To be honest, I've been studying, but majority of that is over.... Just one more paper to go, but that's only scheduled for next Thursday so for now I'll just sip on my green tea and write about how important it is to train hard, in order to fight easy.
Often times in the gym, you'll hear the coach mention that its better to fall, bleed, cry, sweat and make mistakes during training, in order to have a good, clean fight... I won't say that I've never believed it, but I will say that I've never really taken it to the heart... Until I actually sat down and thought about it.

It only makes sense, that at some point (usually the beginning or middle) of your FC, you're going to go all out, have full on sparring sessions, possibly even get beaten up... But the important part, is getting back up, figuring things out and knowing how to counter when it happens again.

I know I just made that sound so easy, but take it from me, its not. I remember a during FC before my last fight, where I just broke down in tears... I sat on the side of the ring and cried my eyes out, and all my trainer had to say was "Dry your tears and get back in the ring!". Well, it was more harsh than that, but when it comes to your best friend being your trainer, its tough-love!

I'm really grateful to have learned the lessons I have and I can honestly say that it's great learning from your own mistakes and being able to work out your own solutions to these mistakes, to ensure they don't happen again...

 

 

 

 

Rest Day

As with every fight camp, there's this terrible thing called "Rest Day", usually a Sunday for me, but going forward, we'll most likely see it being a day around the middle of the week.

With Cape Fight League (CFL) 07, Cape Town's biggest MMA and K1 event having happened just yesterday, all I see on my timeline is pictures and posts from the event. I love that. It usually lasts for about a week after any FN.

A typical Saturday morning starts with a 3 hour session at the gym, mostly because I have minimal time constraints and I have the entire gym to myself so I'm able to work on my own (which isn't always good), but it's the one day  that I can get away with it.

Yesterday was no different, only I had planned to spend the evening studying for my paper tomorrow, but plans arose (or rather, I'd decided to agree to proposed plans) and I'm glad I did. Going out during FC is usually such an effort because you need to watch what you eat, what you wear, where you go, what you do, etc. well, at least I do... But last night was great, I feel as if it was just what I needed.

Usually, Rest day's are just such a drag. I usually find myself craving to train, to be at the gym, to feel the burn of an intense training session... But today, it feels as if I can do with the time off. I just feel like going for a run, but I'll hold out until tomorrow because I know my body needs the break.

So today, I'm forced to study and prepare for tomorrow. I guess this is the part people call "prioritising" and "time management". You know what they say, all work and no play... but hey, that's okay because tomorrow brings a new day and a new week, to set new goals and punch them in the face!

Pre-Fight Camp, Day 3

I was suppose to post at least 2 days ago, well, at least I intended to... But things have just been crazy!

So fight night is scheduled for December the 14th, which means fight camp starts September the 14th, giving me exactly 3 months to prepare. I've decided to do things a little differently this time around though, I started a little pre-fight camp (PFC) 2 days ago, which gives me about 2 weeks of PFC.

Its only day 3 and I'm already feeling the intense sessions push my body passed its limits, but its one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Aside from things being totally hectic with my studies (like writing a paper at 07:00 today, having lectures till 12:00 and an assignment to submit before 16:30), I still find training to be the best part of my day and even more so, having a session every day, even if its the smallest, lightest session, is better than no session.

Today is somewhat different than other days, sort of significant.... I don't know why day 3 seems like its something major, maybe it's that fact that it involves the number 3... However, it also marks 3 months of being single.... Or rather, since the day my relationship ended- read that however you want.

Its just feels kind of major, most likely because of the manner in which everything happened, the speed at which it happened, you know.... That completely uncalled for, unnecessary way for everything to just fall apart at once ? Well, yes... That!

I'm really grateful for everything that's happened though,  it taught me life lessons I never thought I needed :)