Alright, so check it, today I’m spilling the beans on my journey with Justin Watson’s MMA training. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a ride!
First off, why Justin Watson? I’d been looking to seriously level up my MMA game, not just screwing around at the local gym. Heard Watson was legit, a real deal coach who could push me past my limits. So, I bit the bullet and signed up.
The initial assessment? Brutal. He watched me spar, grapple, hit the pads. Barely said a word, just nodded occasionally. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. “You got potential,” he said, “but you’re sloppy. We’re gonna fix that.”
Phase one: Fundamentals. Ugh. Back to basics. Jab, cross, hook, uppercut. Over and over. Footwork drills until my legs screamed. Takedown defense, sprawls, getting back to my feet. I felt like I was starting from scratch. Watson was relentless. “Perfect practice makes perfect,” he’d bark. “Do it again!”
- Jab-Cross Drills: 5 rounds, 3 minutes each. Focus: snap and retraction.
- Footwork Ladders: 4 sets. Focus: agility and speed.
- Sprawl Technique: 10 reps, perfect form.
Phase two: Sparring. This is where things got real. Light sparring at first, just working on implementing the fundamentals. Watson would stop us constantly, pointing out mistakes, correcting our posture, adjusting our angles. Gradually, the intensity ramped up.
I got my ass kicked. A lot. Watson was always watching, though. Offering advice between rounds, pushing me to try new things, exploiting weaknesses he’d identified. One time, I was getting lit up on the feet, and he yelled, “Take him down! He’s expecting it!” I hesitated, then shot in. Got the takedown, transitioned to a dominant position, and secured the win. It was a game changer.
Phase three: Grappling. My ground game was weak. Watson put me through a gauntlet of submissions, escapes, and positional control drills. We spent hours on the mats, sweating, grinding, learning. He showed me sneaky techniques, pressure points, ways to use my weight and leverage to my advantage. I started to feel more confident on the ground, less like a fish out of water.
Nutrition and Conditioning: Watson stressed the importance of diet and physical conditioning. No more late-night pizzas. I was put on a strict protein-rich diet to help with muscle recovery. In terms of conditioning, I was doing sprints, strength training, and cardio exercises religiously.
The Results? I’m not gonna lie, it was tough. There were days I wanted to quit, days I felt like I wasn’t improving. But I stuck with it, trusted the process, and listened to Watson’s guidance. And it paid off. My striking is sharper, my grappling is tighter, and my overall fight IQ is through the roof. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I feel like a completely different fighter.
Biggest Takeaway? Consistency and discipline. Watson instilled in me the importance of showing up, day in and day out, and putting in the work. There are no shortcuts. It’s all about grinding, learning, and never giving up.
Now, I’m prepping for my next amateur fight. Wish me luck!
