Keyboard to the Cage: Ep. 3 – Sparring & fears

Check out the second episode of this SB Nation original series, where journalist Eddie Mercado spars, gets in some pad work, and discusses common fight fears with teammates. Welcome to the second episode of Keyboard to the Cage: A journalis…

Check out the second episode of this SB Nation original series, where journalist Eddie Mercado spars, gets in some pad work, and discusses common fight fears with teammates.

Welcome to the second episode of Keyboard to the Cage: A journalist’s journey to pro MMA! This video series will document my journey through a fight camp in preparation for my professional MMA debut at SFL 42 on January 31, 2020.

Episode 1 explored exactly what I’m doing here, and also introduced my coaches and teammates. In Episode 2, I went and supported some of my guys as they had some MMA matches of their own, and captured some of what goes on behind the scenes. In this edition, I get in some sparring rounds, go through some hellacious pad work, and also discuss with my teammates some of the common fears associated with getting into a fight.

For me, my biggest fear is letting down my coaches, teammates, friends, and family. I really want to do them justice and make them proud. I mean after all, they have invested so much of their time and energy into me, so there’s a part of me that’s scared to fail them. I know they’ll love me regardless, I just want to represent the best way I can.

To minimize that fear, I have to trust that I’ve been doing everything in my power to properly prepare for this fight. I have to have faith in my coaches, faith in my training, and faith in myself. Knowing and reminding myself that I put everything in this fight camp is what helps to muffle that fear. Some other concerns mentioned in this episode include a fear of not being afraid or being complacent, gassing out, and performance anxiety.

Online gambling site BetOnline.AG has betting lines for my SFL 42 fight. Despite my lack of experience, they have labeled me as a -260 betting favorite. As for my opponent, Will Holtzclaw, he is sitting in the underdog role at +200.

Why?

I want a deeper appreciation for both the sport I love to cover so much, and the athletes that risk their lives for their dreams. It’s easy to sit here and critique and ridicule fighters for bad performances or lapses in fight judgement. I believe competing in an MMA bout myself will give me a better understanding of what they have to go through, both in preparation and inside the arena. I gained a little bit of insight in December of 2019 when I traveled to Thailand to train at Tiger Muay Thai and compete in a pro Muay Thai bout out there. It was truly eye opening, but striking is just one facet of MMA. I feel like I need to get a mixed martial arts fight under my belt to curb my curiosity.

Another important ‘why’ for me is that I never want to live with the regret of never trying, or sitting in a rocking chair when I’m 80 years old saying I could have, I should have, or I would have. I want to look back and say I did that. Tomorrow is never promised. This is a fact. I want to do my best to live life to the fullest, and what better way than knucking in a cage? If I happen to inspire at least one person to pursue their dreams in the process, well then it’ll be totally worth it.

Also, I have a lot of little tiny humans looking up to me in the form of six nieces and two nephews. I want to prove to them that anything is possible if you drop the excuses, silence the fears, and put forth your best efforts. It’s easy to be afraid of failure, but easy doesn’t equate to fulfillment. The truth is, I’m just a regular dude without any special talents. The good news is that you don’t need talent to work hard or have an unwavering passion. I want to be proof of that. Inspiring humans is my ‘why.’

Why not? (Excuses):

  • None.

The match:

  • Eddie Mercado (0-0-0) vs. Will Holtzclaw (0-0-0): Middleweight
  • Three five-minute rounds
  • SFL 42 on January 31, 2020 in Norfolk, Virginia

Training regimen:

  • Jiu-Jitsu with Diego Bispo – 6x world black belt champion
  • Muay Thai with Harvey Grasse – Duke Roufus product
  • Wrestling with Seldon Wright – Old Dominion University product
  • Strength & conditioning with Andrew Delcarmen – Certified monster

How to watch:

  • The video series can be seen on Bloody Elbow in article form, along with their and MMA Mania’s Facebook page.
  • The fight itself will be available on fite.tv in PPV form. Click the link to purchase. If you happen to be in Norfolk, Virginia on January 31, 2020 then you can come watch live at the Chartway Arena across from Old Dominion University.

Making this possible:

SFL 42 fightcard:

Main card: (Pro)

Mitch Aguiar vs. Mumia Abu Deyali: Welterweight

Kedrick Harris vs. Kaine Tomlinson Sr: Welterweight

Thomas Blair vs. Elias Briley: Featherweight

Alan Stephenson vs. Sam Eure: 165 pounds

Ryan Parker vs. Ricky Thompson: 190 pounds

Eddie Mercado vs. William Holtzclaw: Middleweight

Prelims: (Amateur)

Evan Stephens vs. Zion Tomlinson: Light Heavyweight title

Pierre Ba vs. Matt Hicks: Bantamweight title

Adrian Soto-Perez vs. Joseph Huggins: Lightweight title

Justin Spyres vs. Brandon Eldridge: Welterweight title

Alistair Patterson vs. Jeffrey Summers: Lightweight

Manny Fernandez vs. Emanuel Thompson: Featherweight

Seldon Wright vs. Conor Mosby: Welterweight

Kaine Tomlinson Jr vs. Kyle Hall: Welterweight