Hi All Rich Finaldi here once again for the Combat Athlete MMA web blog. My subject today is about your ego and it’s place in MMA. It’s place is that there is no place for it at all in MMA. 
. The nicest, most humble, and sincere people I have ever ever met in MMA specifically in my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muai-Thai classes, are always great students and excel in the arts at a rapid pace. See if your looking to only be in shape, and boost your ego by taking up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muai-Thai, your in the wrong place my friend! Remember the martial arts have been tested in many cultures and societies for many generations, and sometimes many centuries. To join MMA you really need to ask yourself, “Do I want to better myself totally mind, body, and spirit?”. If not save everyone from your antics and don’t join. I don’t want to sound brash, but if these statements offend anyone, then MMA is really not for you.
Now onto the more positive. Most people that join MMA are very decent, humble, and sincere people. I try to esteem everyone better then myself, whether I tap them 5 times in a row, or if it it happens to me. Even though I have been in MMA for only about one and a half years, I try to mentor the younger students, and the new students. Make no mistake this is a brotherhood. One you’ll never regret joining. The great thing about mixed martial arts is that your constantly learning something new every class, and yes being humbled is a regular practice. I can tell you your opponent and struggle is 100% in your mind, not the other person your competing against. The result of that just happens to be in success against your opponent. Sometimes its great to give yourself a pat on the back and say, “I am getting better”. Just always have that “white belt” or beginner mentality and you can’t go wrong.
Sensei Paul “Opie” Fahey I have known for a little over a year now of course is head teacher, and co-owner of Combat Athlete MMA in Fairfield, N.J. , and I cannot have found a better home for my MMA training then Combat Athlete MMA . As I have mentioned before Paul has coached me thru injuries, frustration, and doubt when I was almost ready to give up MMA totally. He’s a great friend, very understanding, and very non-confrontational. But I must tell you his BJJ and Muay-thai skills are lethal, and second to none!, but very humble he remains. The other co-owner and head Muai-Thai teacher at the school is Kru Jonesly Theus, I have mentioned Kru Jonesly many times in our blog articles. His goal and dream is to make his students better then him. Jonesly is another Muai-thai master, that his skill set is better then most UFC fighters in the art of Muai-thai.
The other champions connected to this great school are, Matt Serra formerUFC welterweight champ, and the person that just blows my mind considering his pedigree, and experience in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu universe is Master Renzo Gracie. This man just astounds me with his very sincere mentality, and he calls everyone “Champ”. Like I said in the beginning, “Always esteem others better then yourself” You will climb up the MMA ladder very quickly, make life long relationships along the way, and most of all become a better person, mind, body, and spirit.
Thanks and have a great Day ! Rich Finaldi - Combat Athlete MMA – Serra Affiliated School. Serving the West Essex, Little Falls, Cedar Grove, North Caldwell, Caldwell,West Caldwell, Wayne, Montville, Parsippany,Troy Hills,West Paterson,Boonton,Lincoln Park,Montclair,Pompton Plains,Pequannock,Pompton Lakes,Woodland Park, and Passaic county MMA, N.J. Areas
