Why Kyle Kingsbury Quit The UFC

Summary

In this podcast excerpt, the host reflects on his mixed martial arts career, discussing the thrill of victory and the sting of defeat at the highest level. He shares his journey from small-scale fights to major arenas, highlighting memorable moments, including a knockout win and a particularly challenging loss in England. The conversation delves into the fighter's mindset, the importance of embracing one's style, and the financial realities of the sport, where losses can significantly impact earnings.

Takeaways

• 🥊 The speaker initially resisted discussing fighting due to its past nature but engaged in the topic upon realizing its relevance to his mindset.
• 🏆 The thrill of victory, especially via knockout, is described as an exponentially greater feeling than other athletic achievements, due to the dominance over a trained opponent.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The speaker's fighting career had its peaks and valleys, with memorable moments like 'Fight of the Night' victories and a quick knockout against Ricardo Romero.
• 💸 Financially, a knockout victory was lucrative, with bonuses like 'Knockout of the Night' significantly boosting earnings, but losses meant a 50% reduction in purse.
• 🤕 The physical toll was evident, with the speaker recounting an injury that left him with a fractured orbital and swollen eye, impacting his performance.
• 🏴‍☠️ Despite a loss, the speaker's favorite fight was one where he displayed a warrior's spirit, fighting with one eye and following his coach's advice to put his opponent on the ground.
• 🧠 Overthinking was a noted issue; the speaker learned to focus on his own strengths rather than overvaluing his opponent's abilities.
• 💼 Outside of fighting, the speaker had to balance a regular job and training, which was financially necessary but also a reality of the sport.
• 🌟 The speaker admired fighters like Anderson Silva for their approach to fighting, focusing on their own game rather than the opponent's strengths.
• 🎙️ The interview with Peter TI provided a platform for the speaker to reflect on his fighting experiences and the emotional and financial aspects of the sport.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction to being asked about fighting?

Initially, the speaker felt that fighting was behind him and he was reluctant to discuss it, but he agreed to talk about it for the podcast.

How did the speaker describe his early experiences with fighting?

The speaker mentioned that he had many street fights growing up, but he often ran away to avoid them. When he did fight, he usually won due to his athleticism and aggression.

What was a significant change the speaker noticed as he transitioned from street fights to professional fighting?

The speaker noted the shift from impromptu, in-the-moment fights to planned, professional bouts in front of large audiences, which was a completely different experience.

What was the speaker's career trajectory like in terms of venues?

The speaker's career progressed from fighting in smaller venues like an Indian Reservation Casino to larger, more prestigious locations such as Mandalay Bay and the Staples Center.

Can you describe a memorable victory the speaker had?

The speaker recalled a 26-second knockout victory against Ricardo Romero, which was expected to earn him the 'Knockout of the Night' bonus until Anderson Silva's dramatic knockout in the main event.

How did the speaker feel about the thrill of victory in professional fighting?

The speaker described the thrill of victory, especially a knockout, as an exponential feeling of dominance over another trained fighter, which he found addictive.

What was the speaker's favorite fight, and why?

The speaker's favorite fight was actually a loss against Jimmy Manow in Nottingham, England. He appreciated this fight because it exemplified a fighter's heart and warrior spirit, and it was a crucial learning experience for him.

How did the speaker's coach advise him to handle his fight against Jimmy Manow?

Between rounds, the speaker's coach, Bob Cook, advised him to put Manow on his back and beat him, disregarding his overthinking and focusing on his own strengths.

What was the financial impact of a loss in the UFC for the speaker?

The financial impact of a loss was significant as it meant receiving only 50% of the purse, which was a substantial reduction considering the already modest earnings.

How did the speaker cope with the financial instability in his fighting career?

The speaker dealt with financial instability by taking up personal training and working at a bar, which became his norm for a long period until his career took a different path.