Combat sports seem fun from outside the ring but inside it is a whole different story. Athletes put their blood, sweat, and tears into the performance inside the cage. Hours are put into training camps just so they can out win their opponent in seconds. While we look at big names that garner our attention and applause, it is worth noting that all big star athletes started from a place of little to no fame. At RDX Sports we believe it is important to highlight the struggle of athletes who are not in the hall of fame yet but will surely make it in the future. One of the promising athletes, that we believe has massive potential and a struggle worth highlighting is Mallory Martin.
Mallory Martin is an American Mixed Martial Artist and competes in the Strawweight division of Invicta Fighting Championships. She started her career in 2016. We got up and close with Mallory about her journey in the MMA world and her struggles.
Question: What was the first thing you thought about combat sports?
Mallory Martin: The first thing I thought about combat sports was that it looks a lot of fun and full of aggression. I was drawn to it immediately because I have always been really aggressive.
Question: What has been your biggest struggle in the field of combat sports?
Mallory Martin: My biggest struggle in the field of combat sports has been overtraining and not properly recovering. Not listening to my body. Sometimes less is more and you need to find a balance between pushing yourself hard and recovering properly so that you do not injure yourself and are able to push yourself in training.
Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years I see myself fighting for the UFC. I aim to be in the top 10 at least the top 5, and chasing the belt.
Question: How many hours a day do you train?
Mallory Martin: I train about 3 to 4 and a half hours a day. The training sessions are broken up in the morning and afternoon.
Question: How many hours is sufficient to be at your level?
Mallory Martin: To be at my level, I train 3 to 4 hours a day which I deem sufficient. This is because I still have so much to learn and the potential to grow as a fighter-with the main aim to perfect my craft. I say that to be a top-level champion and athletes at the UFC level are putting in two hours in the morning and two at night, to be at the top of their game.
Question: Did you decide on combat sports? Or did someone inspire you?
Mallory Martin: I don’t think anybody really inspired me to do it. I saw a UFC fight on the television between two guys, and back then I really knew nothing about MMA, but I was so drawn to it. I wanted to try it out and when I did, I completely fell in love with the sport.
Question: What advice do you have for people who want to get involved in the sport?
Mallory Martin: The advice I would give to someone who would want to get involved in MMA is to stay consistent and put in the work. Consistency is key. If you’re constantly in the gym working on getting better and perfecting your craft or even working on your goals of getting your next belt-then that is what matters the most. You grow as a fighter and keep getting better every day but in the end, “showing up” is the key.
Question: Does performance anxiety get to you?
I don’t think performance anxiety gets to me, of course, I get nervous initially but once you get in the cage and throw some punches or get some punches, you don’t think about anything. I get nervous before fights but I don’t get anxiety from it.
Question: Do you think MMA and boxing are violent sports?
Mallory Martin: I would consider it violent if you’re a spectator but if you’re an athlete then I wouldn’t consider it violent. If you are a mixed martial arts athlete then you go out in the cage to display your art. You are testing your skills and strength against someone who has trained like you for many weeks. It is not violent for the competitors but from outside the cage, it can look violent.
Question: Is getting hit in the face fun? How did you get over the fear of it?
Mallory Martin: I would say it is more fun to punch someone else in the face but getting hit in the face is a part of the fight and if you accept that then you won’t fear it. You are getting in the cage to fight someone and getting punched in the face is a part of it so there is no fear to it when you accept it.
Question: Would you take a broken nose or broken teeth?
Mallory Martin: I wouldn’t take either but if I have to choose then broken teeth over a broken nose. Because you can fix your teeth and not have any issues in future fights. But if you break your nose then you might have issues with it and it can easily break again or not heal properly.
Question: What’s your least favorite aspect of training and fighting?
Mallory Martin: My least favorite would be dieting. I love food but you have to be strict with what you eat when you’re in fight camp to meet weight requirements and so it is my least favorite aspect. However, it is what you have to do to stay on track and meet the requirements of the fight.
Question: How has combat sport changed your life and mentality?
Combat sports has changed my life and mentality in the sense that it has made me stronger as a person. I am more confident and focused on what I want to do with my life.
Question: What is most important to you before a fight?
Mallory Martin: The most important thing to me before a fight is to focus and stay focus.
Question: What is more important to you after a fight?
Mallory Martin: The most important to me after a fight is seeing my family and just spending time with them. It is important knowing that I made them proud.
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