Blog
profcoughlin's Blog
The REAL intrigue behind Tito Ortiz versus Forrest Griffin
October 21, 2009The most fascinating non-title fight of 2009. Full of human drama and interesting subplots.
I must admit, I find this match up titillating. It is a fight with limited championship implications but is captivating none-the-less. Both men are facing, not only a worthy opponent, but their own personal demons. Neither man is the fighter he once was. This sport has taken its toll on both fighters.
Tito Ortiz revealed, last December, that he had been fighting for years with chronic back pain, the result of his wars in the octagon. He finally could endure the pain no more and succumbed to extensive back surgery. After months of rehabilitation the medical profession has finally determined he is able to fight again. The question remains at what level? The world’s greatest athletes, struggle coming back from injuries. The first time they test their body again, they are tentative, worried about reinjuring themselves. They are afraid to perform the way they have before because that is what caused their trauma. I wonder how Tito will respond the first moment in the fight where he feels a hint of pain in his back. Will he trust his body once again or will he begin to overcompensate for the pain, as he had done for years? Pain is a powerful demon and difficult to overcome.
Forrest Griffin, on the flip-side, trusts his body but does he believe in himself. Watching his systematic dismantling at the hands of Anderson Silva was a lesson in how to totally beat another man, physically and mentally. Anderson didn’t break Forrest’s body, he broke his fighting spirit. Forrest ran out of the octagon and into infamy a completely beaten man. A man trained in the art of fighting, admitting he was fully defeated. I assume, as Tito spent time with medical profession, Forrest has spent time with the mental health profession. It is a classic case of post-traumatic stress disorder. His therapists must have released him to fight, trusting this man is ready to believe in himself again. I wonder how Forrest will respond that first moment in the octagon where he questions himself. What prevailing memories will enter his mind? His moment of self-determination against Stephan Bonner or his moment of humiliation against Anderson Silva? The demon of self-doubt is a challenge for any man to conquer.
Who will reign victorious will most likely be determined by which man has fully exorcised his demons. We shall see! Either way it will be magnificent human drama. The professor will be ringside to witness it.
profcoughlin
Fighter, Octagon Girl, Featured
- profcoughlin
- Male, 44
- Santa Cruz, CA, US
- Status
- Sunny and 65 in beautiful Santa Cruz.
- Comments So Far
- 117
- Last Updated
- 12/16/09
Old Blog Entries
-
December 9, 2009 /
A Betting Man's UFC 107 Predictions
3 Comments -
November 5, 2009 /
A Betting Man's Strikeforce Predictions
11 Comments -
November 2, 2009 /
A Thought About Fedor
13 Comments -
October 29, 2009 /
Dana White and The Week He'd Like to Forget
10 Comments -
October 25, 2009 /
A Conspiracy Theorist's View of Machida Versus Rua
17 Comments -
October 23, 2009 /
UFC 104 : A Betting Man's Predictions
13 Comments -
October 22, 2009 /
The man formally known as Kevin Ferguson
18 Comments -
October 21, 2009 /
The REAL intrigue behind Tito Ortiz versus Forrest Griffin
21 Comments -
October 20, 2009 /
I am the professor
33 Comments
Want to Leave a Comment?