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For most people, an octagon is a simple
shape with eight sides. When Jesse
Forbes thinks of an octagon, he sees
a lifestyle of fighting.
Forbes, a former all-state wrestler at
Corona del Sol High School, now fights
in mixed martial arts. Known more
commonly as MMA, this level of fighting
takes place in an octagon ring and
includes styles of wrestling, muay thai,
boxing, karate and jiu-jitsu--in other
words, almost any tactic necessary to
subdue your opponent.
Fighters tend to train so that they are
well-rounded in many different styles.
No matter which style they use, however,
all competitors go through exhaustive
conditioning and training.
The results of Forbes' exhaustive
workout regimen can be seen these days
on The Ultimate Fighter 3, a
reality-based show where some of the
MMA’s premier amateur fighters compete
for a contract into the Ultimate
Fighting Championship.
Although the show has been previously
recorded in Las Vegas, audiences are
about to view the second round of
competition, which airs Thursday nights
on Spike TV. The winner receives a
multi-year, six-figure contract to fight
in the UFC.
“A buddy of mine who fights in the UFC
thought I had the talent and pushed me
to try out for the show,” Forbes said.
Forbes was chosen to be on the show but
was eliminated early in the season.
However, another competitor quit and
Forbes was reinstated.
“I woke up one morning and one of the
production guys said, ‘Hey, man, you’re
back on the show—get your things
together’,” Forbes said.
“Believe me, I wasn’t complaining.”
Forbes says he was glad to rejoin the
competition, but finding a way to pass
time by was a different story.
Forbes says it's difficult to watch the
show and understand how hard it was
living in the house where all the
competitors lived as roommates. The
biggest problem: living with a bunch of
guys who were perfectly willing to fight
if it meant moving a step closer to a
megabuck payoff.
Equally troubling, says Forbes, was that
there were no means of entertainment at
the house.
“After a while your mind starts to go
stir crazy,” Forbes said. “Some fighters
didn’t perform to their level because of
it.”
Even though the show was previously
recorded, Forbes is required to keep the
results of the competition confidential.
Nevertheless, he credits his new mental
toughness to his experience on the show.
“There is no way I’m nervous when I
fight in the big show,” Forbes said. “I
know what I have to do to be successful
in this sport.”
In order to become a fighter—as well as
any occupation—people need support, and
in this department Forbes credits his
parents. As a matter of fact, Forbes
says he wouldn’t be fighting today if it
weren't for them.
Forbes can be seen fighting his way to a
UFC contract on The Ultimate Fighter 3
Thursdays on Spike TV. |
