I am an athlete, and just like many athletes I am susceptible to something that is just as frustrating as it is uncontrollable. Injury. It can happen in every sport, from baseball to MMA. I sustained a slight crack in my L4-L5 vertebrae while training for my senior baseball season last year. As of now, I have been out of activity for over 6 months and I have found extreme frustration on a day to day basis, not being able to do what I live for: Compete.
Jon Fitch is currently going through a similar situation after undergoing shoulder surgery. He has recently pulled out of his rematch with B.J. Penn due to his torn Labrum in his right shoulder. Fitch has been one of the top ranked and highly respected fighters in the welterweight division for a number of years now, and with most recently earning a decision over Thiago Alves (his second victory over the brazilian), he has surely proved himself.
The wear and tear that fighters take not only in competition, but also in the grueling training, more than takes its toll on them. This is no news to the fighters as they can often fight through the pain, but sometimes that just is not possible.
During Jon Fitch's comeback, he has documented his "Road to Recovery" on his youtube channel; Jonfitchdotnet. In every episode of his videos, he explains what he must go through on a daily basis; both physically (rehabilitation, and therapy), and mentally (coping with the situation). The documentation of his journey back to health in itself shows his optimism, as even Jon Fitch knows it can be easy to fall into bad spirits during such dark times.
I was so curious as to hear what type of positive mentality that a fighter who has been out for so long can take away from such an experience back into action with him. So I called Mr. Fitch (thanks to Boost Mobile UFC fan phone). I asked him simply what positive aspects of this injury will he take to your return in the octagon?
Fitch presented a very relatable argument in his response, "Its given me a lot of focus that I don't normally have. This injury has taken me away from what I love to do, and reminded me of the hunger that I have." Fitch adds at the end of our call "this hunger is helping me, and I think I will be wrecking some people when I am back".
Many people believe that ring rust is something that can significantly hinder previously injured fighters, but with such positive mentality, it would seem as if one would be able unleash the true beast that they have harnessed in their time of the surgeries and inactivity. Jon Fitch has proven himself a contender for years now with his latest Draw with B.J. Penn at UFC 127 marking his first non-win since he lost to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in August of 2008.
When Fitch returns to action whether it be a rematch with Penn, or facing a different top ten fighter, it will be very interesting to see how such a mentality will serve him. A win by Fitch coming off of his Road to Recovery will put him in place to have another shot an "Rush", which promises to be an epic rematch. Whether we see a successful return for the 170 pounder or not, he has sent out an important message of optimism and perseverance, one of the very few things that an injured athlete can control.
