How the fuck do I afford to fight?

[Aaron Gustaveson]

If you live in the US and have a family that depends on you being healthy or at least being able to cover your medical expenses, how can you take fights?

Do i have to be an irresponsible self-centered bastard?

Two events ago, locally, a fighter got kicked in the head while down, illegally, got a shattered orbital that had to be reconstructed. My family would suffer a lot if this happened to me.

I asked my coach what I should do? How can I get to a position to take fights responsibly? Is there special insurance I can work toward affording? He said dont fight, you dont see me fighting. Told me to just do jits tournaments where the risk is far lower.

[AKRhino]

Dude, haven't you heard? You can get Obamacare!

Joking aside, unless you are in a position to make a serious run at a professional MMA career... it's VERY possible that the risks will far outweigh the rewards of fighting.

It comes down to a personal choice. What do you want to do, and, more importantly, WHY? Once you can honestly answer that question to yourself you'll know if you should fight or not. There's no shame in not fighting.

[John Mejia]

Dude, haven't you heard? You can get Obamacare!

Joking aside, unless you are in a position to make a serious run at a professional MMA career... it's VERY possible that the risks will far outweigh the rewards of fighting.

It comes down to a personal choice. What do you want to do, and, more importantly, WHY? Once you can honestly answer that question to yourself you'll know if you should fight or not. There's no shame in not fighting.

Yep, A run that will put 100X more wear and tear on your pocket book, relationships away from the gym, and of course your body. If you want it bad enough you'll do anything to make it happen, you just have to be real with yourself before you chase a dream that could in the long run be a detriment to you, and If you still want to get after it then I'd say go and do it.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

avoiding shame isn't really a factor for me. People I train with know where Im at (which isnt a super high level but for local amateur I think I could do well and so do other people), when they ask me when Im fighting I do feel shame I guess. Because of my age and lack of natural athletic ability, I have no illusions about making money but I feel for me the reward of fighting is not material, even if i lost every time.

[Compella]

It's a risk, and the potential detriment to your life far out-weighs the gains until you reach the top 10 for your weight class. It's one of those things you almost have to be so blindly in love with you don't factor in the practicality of maintaining a stable lifestyle, it's just like the fight itself; chaotic, risky, calculated and brutal. If you absolutely cannot live without stepping into a cage to go to war with a trained killer every few months and have a burning desire in your heart to call yourself the best in the world and the champion of your weight class, then do it. If not, I'd say make your family your main priority and use your problem solving skills and competitive demeanor to provide a better life for them. It is truly a personal question though, you must respond naturally so as to not regret your path later in life. Either way, approach it with a positive outlook and you'll find your way, IMHO.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

It's a risk, and the potential detriment to your life far out-weighs the gains until you reach the top 10 for your weight class. It's one of those things you almost have to be so blindly in love with you don't factor in the practicality of maintaining a stable lifestyle, it's just like the fight itself; chaotic, risky, calculated and brutal. If you absolutely cannot live without stepping into a cage to go to war with a trained killer every few months and have a burning desire in your heart to call yourself the best in the world and the champion of your weight class, then do it. If not, I'd say make your family your main priority and use your problem solving skills and competitive demeanor to provide a better life for them. It is truly a personal question though, you must respond naturally so as to not regret your path later in life. Either way, approach it with a positive outlook and you'll find your way, IMHO.

Im just going to have to wait a few more years when I can afford to do this without risking finances.

Thanks!

[Chris Garry]

It wasn't until recently I realised how much fighting used to get in the way of my training.

[bobby rivers]

Just do jj. Its the perfect substitute. I started jj wanting to fight. I got tired of facial trauma and concussive migraines, then focused grappling 101%. For me it supplemented perfectly. The more I learn actually makes me wanna try it out again. Probably will. I have a hard-wired reliable skill set now, where before I thought all I had to do was get him to the ground and I was good. I was wrong.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

Just do jj. Its the perfect substitute. I started jj wanting to fight. I got tired of facial trauma and concussive migraines, then focused grappling 101%. For me it supplemented perfectly. The more I learn actually makes me wanna try it out again. Probably will. I have a hard-wired reliable skill set now, where before I thought all I had to do was get him to the ground and I was good. I was wrong.

yeah but im better at striking.

[Aaron Gustaveson]

I cant thank you guys enough for the responses, things are more clear now. . The responses from you guys have let me advance some on this issue. Im very grateful.