Saturday night, I sat on my couch, alone. My children had gone to bed hours earlier and I suspected they were asleep. The bride had gone to our room to look at her phone til I joined her. I sat in anticipation, watching the television screen on my wall, listening to the words, "Wonderboy! What is the secret of your power?" Jack Black's voice rang out from the television speakers accompanied by the cheers of several thousands spectators in Orlando, as Stephen Thompson exited the inner walkways of the arena, giving high fives and looking intently at the Octagon. UFC Fight Night Thompson vs Holland had reached the main event and Kevin Holland, the challenger, waited behind the chain link, as Thompson went through the pre-fight undress and cup check. I had anticipated this match-up all week and now it was here.
Photo courtesy of ESPN+
Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson is a wily UFC and kick boxing veteran. At 39 years old, he represents what many older athletes represent- us old guys watching. I'm 47 and love watching athletes past their prime succeed. His opponent for the night, Kevin "Trailblazer" Holland is younger, stronger, faster and more well rounded as a fighter. Wonderboy is known for his kicking prowess, having mastered many different types of strikes with his feet. I remember many times Daniel Cormier has commented of Thompson fights, "He uses his front kick like a jab." But, despite the veteran's savvy, the betting odds were in Holland's favor. The tone of the conversations leading to the last fight of the night had communicated clearly that Thompson would likely serve as a stepping stone for Trailbazer's re-entrance to belt aspirations.
As Bruce Buffer's voice announced the fighters' particulars, I felt my heartbeat speed up as the live audience on screen got louder. When the air whistle blew, there was a palpable release and I felt myself breathe out. As the fight began, both fighters were throwing feet and it had the feeling that Holland wanted to match Thompson at his own game. As the first minute or so wore off, Holland began to mix in some punches and then some elbows. Several blows from either side landed on their marks and there was juxtapositional reaction from Thompson when Holland caught him with his strong right hook. This was the fight I wanted, but it was also the fight I expected. It had all the appearances that Trailblazer was going to be a bit too much for 39 year old Stephen Thompson. When Thompson fell to the mat, Kevin let him up, adding proof to the theory that he wanted to fight Stephen's fight. Holland was yapping, laughing, smiling as he is prone to do in fights. He seems often as much a performer and entertainer as he is fighter. Thompson responded in kind, as one might expect. The veteran is respected by his peers, respectable to others and carries a pristine reputation into the UFC circus. Round one was underway.
Then something happened... About half way into the first round Kevin Holland blocked a big Wonderboy kick to the right side of his head. Then, twice in the second round, more blocks with his right hand as Thompson unloaded big, hard head shots with his feet. As they went back and forth, dancing circles around the octagon, Holland was using his right hand less and less. Evidence was mounting. Thompson had hurt Holland's right hand. In the third round, after another particularly hard head-kick that Holland blocked on his right side, he looked at his hand and kind of shook it. It was clear that he was compromised. By the fourth round, it was so obvious to his corner that they called the fight. Wonderboy won via TKO. I heard the Tenacious D words ring anew in my memory: "Wonderboy! What is the secret of your power?"
Stephen Thompson's commitment to his craft seemed to be the secret of his power on Saturday. That's not to say that Kevin Holland wasn't committed to his craft. We will all have a certain measure of success and failure in life, despite our commitments, ethic or craft. Commitment to craft, however, is assuredly a pathway to success. I want to practice my craft, be it automechanics, fatherhood or discipleship, in order to have success. Some days it requires commitment I can't muster; other days it's easier. At 39, I imagine Wonderboy doesn't always feel wonderful in his craft commitment. At 47, I know I certainly don't, but neither of us are going to stop anytime soon. That's the secret. That's commitment. This is bakesHere.
Comments