Eye says seeing sports psychologist ‘greatest decision’ of her life

Most people go see a psychologist when emotions lead to episodes like fighting with a co-workers. Mixed martial arts is different. UFC women’s bantamweight Jessica Eye sought the services of a sports psychologist when she wasn’t fighting enough.

Eye had a seven-fight streak outside the UFC. The she started with a split decision win over Sarah Kaufman, that was overturned when traces of the notorious performance enhancing drug marijuana were found in her system. Then she lost a split decision to Alexis Davis. Then she beat Leslie Smith in the second. It was a record that put her as one of the best contenders in the division.

Then she lost three unanimous decisions in a row, to Miesha Tate, Julianna Peña, and Sara McMann. A fourth loss, and she would likely be cut. So she sought expert advise.

She discussed the matter during a recent appearance on MMAjunkie Radio.

After my lackluster performance against Sara McMann, who was a friend of mine and I think that kind of screwed up my ability to fight the way that I needed to, said Eye, as transcribed by MMAjunkie. I went to a sports psychologist because I knew the Cleveland card was coming, I knew they were going to want me on it. I’m a huge star here along with Stipe, Cleveland adores both of us so much.

I started seeing a sports psychologist. Probably the greatest decision I’ve ever made in my life and I wish I’d done it sooner.

Now Eye faces Bethe Correia on the FS1 prelims of UFC 203 on September 10 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass. Fellow Cleveland native and Strong Style teammate UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic fights Alistair Overeem in the main event.

I get to bring myself back on track in the place that started with me,” she said. “The place that made me realize I wanted to fight and showed me that I had an impact. I’m pumped, it’s going to be amazing, I’m so excited for Cleveland. We’ve been waiting such a long time just for some of the attention we’ve been getting, between the Monsters, the Cavs, even the Republican convention which brought so much to our city.

Now the UFC is finally coming here, and during the warmer season, which is awesome, because people would hate it if they came in the cold time. It’s just awesome, I can’t wait for people to see why we love Cleveland so much and why it’s so electric and why I can’t wait just fight here and just pound the crap out of Bethe in my home town and just get back on track.

We’re splitting the corners up in a way that we know will work for the both of us. And to be honest, I don’t think Stipe is nervous for me and I’m not nervous for him. We’ve fought in Cleveland – I probably fought in Cleveland 15 times.

You know, I feel like I’m less nervous because I’ll be right there. These other times I’m not in the back, I don’t get to see him fight there, I don’t get to see him weigh in there, you know he’s out of town and I’m here. I just feel like there’s no nervousness about it this time, it’s weird.