Victims of the Octagon Jitters, Andre Gusmao and Professor X Vow to Overcome at UFC 98

by Kid Nate on May 17, 2009 10:57 AM EDT in MMA News

We often hear about the Octagon jitters -- the devastating adrenaline dump that affects UFC debutantes -- in the abstract or as a hypothetical mentioned by Joe Rogan during a fight, now we've got two confirmed cases.

First up Xavier "Professor X" Foupa-Pokam confesses to MMA Weekly that he wasn't 100% himself against Denis Kang:

"I was feeling very great in the locker-room, and just before the corridor to the path to the Octagon," Foupa-Pokam told MMAWeekly.com. "Then, I started to feel tense and didn't fight the way I should have. I wasn't lucid; I was short of breath."

Capoeria stylist Andre Gusmao tells UFC.com describes his loss to Jon Jones:

"I saw myself having trouble finding the correct distance and it opened gaps for Jones," he says, "but I can’t deny, UFC is a dream and I felt when I stepped into the Octagon, I froze. I came from a competitive league, but UFC is a different environment and I felt the adrenaline and pressure and could not manage"

The psychologically overwhelming reality of fighting in the famous Octagon for the first time, in the spotlight, on the biggest stage in the MMA world is something those of us who critique from the safety of our sofas should never discount.

Both of these guys will have a second chance to overcome the Octagon jitters at UFC 98 and I'll be rooting for both of them. Professor X will face Drew McFedries on the main card and Gusmao will be up against TUF and IFL veteran Krzysztof Soszynski.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

ANDREW Gusmao?

by madiq on May 17, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

typ-O

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on May 17, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

The UFC seems to be giving everybody at least two shots to show their potential. However, if they start off 0-2 or sometimes even 1-2, they are typically cut. I think it’s fair in most cases.

Octagon Jitters does seem to be a very real thing. Many fighters have commented on it. Quinton Jackson even had it despite having many years of experience in large arena’s over in Japan.

by AlwaysRelaxing on May 17, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

both of these guys are getting

excellent chances to win their 2nd UFC fight. Houston Alexander was practically giftwrapped for Gusmao, but Krzysztof is a fellow IFL vet and someone that Gusmao should be able to beat on the feet and on the ground.
McFedries is a powerful brawler but Xavier should be able to handle him on the feet — the question is whether or not Drew will take him down and GnP to a win.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on May 17, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

and I can’t believe that Gusmao is such a big underdog. I actually think he outclasses the underwhelming Soszynski in all aspects of the game. I’m planning on cleaning up in my mmaplayground $$$

by mictlantechutli on May 17, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Professor X needs to fight more like conservatively like Kongo (not saying this because they are both French). Sure, he is more striking-oriented and not as strong of a wrestler, but it would help him to be more conservative because he really does dominate most fighters physically. He gassed himself vs. Kang, and it was his own aggressiveness (and overuse of kicks – also see Forrest v. Rashad) that led to him being taken down repeatedly in that fight.

by bigweeze on May 17, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions