Reflecting on my First Title
Earlier this month, the team and I traveled to Westbury, New York to compete in the US Muay Thai Open East Championships. I'd twice made it to the finals of the West Coast Championships, and this was the weekend I hoped to finally get over the hump, and bring home my first title.
This was my second time competing in the 148lb weight class, and I must say that I think I've found the proper weight class for my build. My cut went well, and I was ready for a weekend of digging in and fighting hard.
In my first fight of the tournament, I drew the most decorated fighter in the division, Stoney Morales a 5x amateur champ out of New York City. As the fight began, Stoney's length surprised me, having him open up with a couple of straight shots down the middle that landed. I'd planned on being the longer fighter all weekend, so I had to adjust quickly to match my opponent who seemed to have a similar reach. I marched forward with pressure, and it became clear that my opponent preferred a technical game to a war of attrition. I recognized and exploited this fact, staying in my opponents face. Trusting my gas tank, I pressed forward and we ended up in clinch. From there, I scored a knockdown in the first via knees to the body, which earned my opponent a standing 8 before the round ended. The second round brought more of the same, grinding style. In the ending exchange, I saw a Stoney elbow whiff past my cranium, just off by inches, and in an instant, I turned my opponent and threw an elbow of my own which landed flush, dropping my him, and causing the referee to waive off the contest. Ryan Sternberg, winner via Elbow tko.
We got back to the warm-up area, and discovered that I'd have another fight the same evening, facing a solid southpaw fighter who'd received a bye in the first round. Shawn Gorman, out of Philadelphia, had won the B class division at the TBA World Expo over the summer, and I'd now face him in the A class semifinal of the USMTO East.
Shawn and I had a good battle, and I learned some valuable lessons in this fight. He did some good damage to my power arm with his heavy rear kick. The arm that I'd used to get the elbow tko earlier in the day was becoming more and more useless. I dug in and managed to stay busy on the inside and off of evasions, winning the clinch battle, and being overall more effective in all aspects other than kick range. The crowd was a little split on this one, this was an East Coast opponent in an East Coast tournament mind you, but the score cards were posted after the fight, and it was clear that I'd won the fight despite the crowd attempting to curry favor with the judges. A lot of respect to my opponent, however, as we both knew in the middle of that fight that he was hurting me with those kicks.
With my second win of the day, it was time for epsom salts, some food, and some rest as I prepared for another crack at the USMTO title. I checked in with myself mentally to let that sink in. "Your third time to the finals, Ryan. Win or lose, bring everything you've got into this fight!"
Late Saturday evening, the brackets for the championship fights were posted and I was to fight Eddy Torres from a well respected Philly gym, on the VERY LAST FIGHT OF THE DAY! Fitting, I thought.
Fight day arrived and after watching two of my teammates capture titles of their own earlier in the day, I knew it was my time to step up and become what I've been trying to become for the last 4 years... A CHAMPION.
The fight itself was a mess. Eddy came from a very unorthodox style, and had injured his hand badly the day before. His game plan seemed to be to get inside and clinch with me so as to not need to use his hand, and at one point tried to sweep me, which I countered and ended up pancaking him which in turn hurt his already injured hand. As Eddy whinced in pain, the ref allowed him a time out while he decided whether or not he wanted to continue. This IS NOT how I wanted to win my championship, and there's video of me begging for it to not unfold that way. Luckily, Eddy decided to continue, and this is where things got messy.
My opponent, down a limb, keeps putting himself in all sorts of awkward positions. We're in clinch, where I'm strong, I find an opening and deliver a big knee to the liver. My opponent drops, and I run to the neutral corner knowing that the fight is going to be mine having just scored a knockdown. My opponent manages to convince the referee that this was a low blow, robbing me of the knockdown, and earning me a warning. This happens several more times in the fight, with me out-muscling my opponent and throwing shots to an open body, only to have him claim foul. It was an ugly fight, but I feel that I ultimately won both the long and short game, and the scorecards reflected as much.
The weekend wasn't a beautiful waltz toward the belt, but rather a championship earned in the trenches. It was a great learning experience to reaffirm in my mind that I can go after the win, even if it means putting aesthetics aside, and making it about who wants it more.
Shortly after returning home, I was offered a championship fight on a big, local promotion at an event to be held on January 20 at Caterbury Park. More to follow as details become available.
Finally, I'd like to give a quick shoutout to City Chiropractic (nordeastdoc.com) who helped get me all lined up for this tournament, as well as Fulton Brewery (fultonbeer.com), who has been sponsoring me for 3 years now, and has stuck with me through the tough losses and now through the big, championship wins. Two Minnesota companies who remain loyal and local. Go support them!
