Here’s how: study this guy. Conor McGregor. Who, at the time of writing this, just got mauled – in his last UFC fight – by a crazy Russian named Khabib.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, McGregor talked all kinds of sh*t before the fight.
For example:
“I’m gonna knock this man’s nose into the nosebleeds,” was one unforgettable quote I remember Conor saying.
Now. What’s this gotta do with makin’ millions?
Nothing, really. But his assessment of the fight – which I’m ’bout to share? Everything.
So here’s what he had to say, via Instagram:
Thoughts on my last fight.
Round 1:
I believe from a sport standpoint, round 1 was his.
Top position against the fence. Zero position advancement or damage inflicted. But top position.
From a fight standpoint, the first round is mine.
Actual shots landed and a willingness to engage.
Straight left early. Knee to the head on the low shot.
Elbows in any and all tie up scenarios.
Opponent just holding the legs against the fence for almost the entire round.
Round 2:
He is running away… around the cage… before being blessed with a right hand that changed the course of the round, and the fight.
It was a nice shot.
After the shot I bounced back up to engage instantly, but again he dipped under to disengage.
That is the sport and it was a smart move that led to a dominant round, so no issue. Well played.
If I stay switched on and give his stand up even a little more respect, that right hand never gets close and we are talking completely different now.
I gave his upright fighting no respect in preparation.
No specific stand up spars whatsoever.
Attacking grapplers/wrestlers only.
That won’t happen again.
I also gave my attacking grappling no respect.
Too defense-minded.
Lessons:
Listen to nobody but yourself on your skill set.
You are the master of your own universe.
I am the master of this.
I must take my own advice.
Round 3:
After the worst round of my fighting career, I come back and win this round.
Again walking forward, walking him down, and willing to engage.
Round 4:
My recovery was not where it could have been here.
That is my fault.
Although winning the early exchanges in 4, he dips under again and I end up in a bad position with over 3 on the clock.
I work to regain position and end up upright, with my back to the fence.
A stable position.
Here, however, I made a critical error of abandoning my overhook at this crucial time, exposing the back, and I end up beaten fair and square.
What can I say?
It was a great fight and it was my pleasure.
I will be back with my confidence high.
Fully prepared.
If it is not the rematch right away, no problem.
I will face the next in line.
It’s all me always, anyway.
See you soon my fighting fans… I love you all.
Damn. Now that is how you accept a loss. Be it in business, in sports, in f*cking life. Right?
Step 1:
Take some time to reflect. Conor McGregor did not post this immediately after the fight.
Not even the next day. Or the next week, for that matter.
Nope. He went and had some fun. Let a couple weeks pass.
Then watched the fight back multiple times. And only then did he carefully critique his performance.
Why’s that important?
To take the emotion out of it.
To see it for what it really is, and not what adrenaline and anger and embarrassment and jealousy and, in Conor’s case, a post-fight brawl (long story), would say it is.
Step 2:
Determine where things went wrong.
For Conor, it was the unexpected overhand right – from Khabib – that altered the course of the fight.
Step 3:
Identify why it went wrong.
McGregor admits: he gave Khabib’s stand-up skills no respect.
On top of that, he doubted his own grappling ability, which had him too defensive, thus limiting his attacks.
Step 4:
Take full responsibility for the loss.
Offer no excuses.
Even when there’s legitimate ones that exist.
What good’s it do to list ’em?
Who cares?
Nobody. Especially not the competitor who just beat you or the critics who enjoyed every minute of it.
Step 5:
Learn from it so it doesn’t happen again.
McGregor basically says: I’ll be ready for the rematch with more confidence, better conditioning, more offense, and more respect for Khabib’s boxing.
Step 6:
Continue thinking big, optimistic thoughts.
Don’t let the “L” rattle you.
For Conor, after that one-sided ass-beating, it’s remarkable that a rematch is even on his mind.
But it is.
And to think that a) he even deserves it, and b) he can actually turn it around next time and come out victorious? Is kinda hard to fathom.
But that’s why he’s achieved so much in and outta the fight game.
Because that is how he thinks; and this is how he handles himself.
