I have done it all.
I've spent hours on the mat in my gym with my team. I took care of all the injuries sustained during the hard sparring sessions. I ate and drank according to my diet and most importantly, I've made weight! Now it's time to focus on my fight...
After the weigh-in, the focus is on rehydrating and loading mainly carbs. Most of the time, me and my team will go to a nice restaurant and chill. Depending on the time of the weigh-in, we might hit another restaurant later that day. After that it's going back to the hotel and relax. Watch some tv, read a book or play some cards. Maybe even a soft massage. All fighters have different routines. The main thing is not to think about the fight tomorrow. All have been said and done anyways. There is no need to think about the fight tomorrow. It will only cost energy thinking to much about it. Preferably no sex as that will lower my testosterone and I wanna keep that in my pocket for my fight tomorrow.
After a nice sleep in a 4star hotel, I wake up. Today it's fight day! Tonight I will be fighting in the biggest kickboxing competition in the world: GLORY!
I am having a good breakfast, either with my team downstairs in the hotel or I will order room service if I don't want to meet the other fighters. We are all sleeping in the same hotel, including my opponent.
Depending on the weather and the surroundings, it is nice to go out for a quick walk with the team, my coach or anyone that is close to me. It keeps me in a calm state of mind.
Back to the hotel room after this and relax or even take a quick nap. I make sure that before we leave to the venue I eat a proper hot meal. Most of the time, we need to leave the hotel on route the venue around 2pm already. I don't eat red meat because that will take to long to digest. I do not consume any sugar or products that contain sugar the whole day because that will cause my blood sugar levels to go up and down. This can get me exhausted before and during the fight!
It's time to leave the hotel. Either I or my coach checked if I packed all my stuff: mouth piece, groin protector, tape, vaseline, fight shorts, sponsor shirts etc. Check, check, check.
The bus is already waiting downstairs. I jump in with my team. On my headphones, nice and relaxed music or music that keeps me focussed already. This completely depends on my mood.
After a half an hour drive we are walking in the locker room with my name written on it. I put down my stuff and go to pay the ring doctor a visit right away. Once I am cleared I go back to my locker room and wait till I can go into the hall and do a ring check. Now things are getting real! I can feel it now.
I am in the ring where I will battle the biggest fight of my career tonight. All different kind of thoughts are flashing through my mind: "they always say you are as good as your last fightâ. I need to win this. How will the crowd react to my entrance music? Who will land the first hard hit? It doesnât matter: I know how I am going to KO him! I can see myself standing in the middle of this ring with my hands raisedâŠÂ Ok. Ring check done. Back to the locker room, I can't wait!!!
I am chilling at the locker room for just half an hour or so depending on when my fight is. I am carrying a water bottle through out the whole day and sipping from it constantly. I want to be hydrated to the fullest for my fight. The combination of this and my nerves makes me go to the toilet every half an hour.
My coach and the designated cutman are wrapping my hands now. This is like polishing my swords before battle. I feel more and more ready. The wraps feel tight but comfortable. I put on the GLORY gloves they just brought in. They fit perfectly! They smell new. Virgin leather, but not for long.
Warming up starts. The first series on the pads don't feel good yet. I am to tight and tense. I want to win sooo bad! My coach tells me to relax and punch and kick like I do in training. He is right, I need to loosen up. Now it is going better. I am relaxed but focussed. I am catching my second wind and feeling strong!
A few sips of water, I put on my sponsor shirt and I am ready. We are walking behind the GLORY official straight to the catwalk. Walking backstage through those small lanes, I am thinking of ancient gladiators marching through the colosseum ready to take on their opponent.
I am behind a giant led wall when my opponent goes in first. My coach reminds me about the hard trainings we went through and that it is time to shine now! I am ready, I am the strongest, I am the best and I am going to enjoy every bit of my appearance tonight! My entrance music starts playing. The last couple of ritual slaps on my legs, arms, body and face to raise my adrenaline to the max. Â Here I come for you.
Robin Van Roosmalen and Martijn de JongÂ
