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DREW FICKETT NEWLY
CROWNED SHINE LIGHTWEIGHT GRAND PRIX TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
 Fighting
is, well, a difficult thing to be a part of. Andnerves are very much
a part of that. Even with over fifty professional fights,I still
find myself a bit nervous every time I head out to the cage or
ring.Yet, I also feel at ease. There is a part of all of us, as
human beings, thatseems to give us a desire to fight. To me, it’s
not about incapacitatinganother man, though. It’s about simply
seeing that when it comes to using yourfists, your body, I am the
superior man. It’s so much more mental thanphysical.
Heading into the Shine Fights Lightweight Grand Prix, mycareer had
been on a downward spiral, one which my personal life seemed to
bemirroring. I had won my last bout, but before that, I had lost
eight of my lastten fights. And without going too much into detail,
one could say my personallife had been in shreds, too. To me, the
Grand Prix was a way to right somewrongs in my career. Most
importantly, it was a way for me to be able to see mydaughter again.
And that’s what it’s all about for me. Focus had come into mylife.
My past problems with the law…those were behind me. My mind and body
werefocused on training. I was thinking about my daughter every
second I could, andthat drove me to train even harder. When the
night of the Grand Prix came, Iwas ready.
First up for me was Charles Bennett. “Krazy Horse,” as he’smost
well-known, is not an opponent to take lightly. I was willing to
trade,but I wanted the takedown. And I got it. He swept me, which
surprised me, andwhen I latched on an armbar, he tried to spike me
on my head. But nothing wasgoing to stop me. I stayed focused. I saw
his head in the right position, and Icaught him in a guillotine. He
again tried to slam me on my head, but I had itin and he tapped. I
appreciate the fight Charles gave me, but right then I knewthis
would be my night. Everything was falling into place.
Next up for me was Dennis Bermudez. I didn’t know much abouthim, but
I had heard he was a good wrestler. I saw very early in the fight
thatthis was the case. He had no intention of striking, and went for
a takedownpretty quickly. Unfortunately for him, his inexperience
gave him away. Islipped to the mat, and I encouraged him to follow.
To my shock, he actuallyfollowed me down. Big mistake. I was able to
utilize my positioning toeventually get a sort of chin-in choke.
Bermudez defended well, but I got thehooks in, and eventually a
body-lock on. Bermudez is young, and I think he’sgot a good career
in front of him. But, again, I knew this was my night. I wasprepared
to fight forty minutes if I needed to. The thought of my daughter
wasspurring me on. And now I was in the finals.
My team had been behind me, my girlfriend was behind me, andI was
ready to take the Grand Prix title home with me. In the final with
mewould be Carlo Prater, who I’d actually submitted once before,
back in 2004 inanother tournament. Carlo had lost earlier in the
night, but was in the finalswith me as an injury replacement. I like
Carlo, but all I saw in front of mewas the last obstacle standing in
the way of me seeing my girl. I wouldn’t bedenied, not tonight.
Carlo is a tough guy, but he’d already fought two fullfights. I saw
my opening early on when the fight went to the ground. We testedour
wills against each other on the mat. I was able to maneuver him
intoposition for the rear-naked choke, and though he fought it, he
had to tap. Ihad done it.
The emotion just started pouring out. I couldn’t help it. Iwept, I
smiled, I laughed, and ultimately I went over and paid my respects
toCarlo. It was all so humbling. But I’d done it. Thanks to my team,
my friends,my girlfriend, and most of all to my little girl. I’d be
on the next flight togo see her. And I didn’t feel nervous about
that at all.
In the end, I felt like I’d been raised from the dead. Ifelt…resurrected.
And in a lot of ways, it was a factual way of thinking aboutit. I
had redeemed myself as a fighter, and as a man. |
