As spectators of combat sports we get to see the finished product of what an athlete has worked so hard to get too. With this piece of writing, I am trying to capture as many moments as I can to give the spectators an understanding of the struggles and efforts these athletes go through before they put it all on the line.  More commonly known as the fight before the fight.  Not many sports can relate to a weight restricted combat sport where tapering for the big event is sometimes or maybe most times not an option.  Regardless of the taper to be fresh, these athletes are stripping vital nutrients from their body to meet the obligations of the contract to be a specific weight on the day.  Goes against science but really does prove what we can achieve when you are in the right mindset.  Then after all that, put in 12 rounds of constant effort. That's respect to all fighters.