He Accepted His Medical School's One-Year Deferment to Pursue MMA, But He Underestimated His Family’s Outrage.

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In a fortunate turn of events, the Original Poster (OP) grapples with a life-altering decision when an administrative mishap offers a pause from his medical studies, opening the doors to pursue his passion for MMA. As his wife’s disapproval clashes with the encouragement of his MMA coach and his parents’ frustration heightens, OP finds himself standing at the precipice of a significant life decision. Yet as he starts training, an injury becomes a rude awakening, leaving his future in the balance.

A Year Off

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OP commences medical school, yet a series of unforeseen clerical errors, compounded by a faculty emergency, result in the administration seeking volunteers for a one-year deferment. OP accepts the offer without consulting his wife, viewing it as a unique opportunity.

A Dream Deferred

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OP’s parents are doctors, and he shares a deep affinity for the field. His wife is a nurse, further enveloping him in a medical environment. However, a different passion lurks in the background, creating a potential divergence.

Competing Passion

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While medicine is a part of OP’s life, he harbors a great love for MMA, imagining it could lead to a career. He has a history of involvement in wrestling and jiu-jitsu, even dabbling in amateur MMA fights. This love for combat sports hints at a possible future beyond the hospital corridors.

The Coach’s Faith

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OP’s MMA coach believes in his potential, asserting he could go pro if he can shed 30 pounds and join the flyweight division. This affirmation boosts OP’s belief in his alternative career path. It adds to the allure of the year-long deferment.

Destiny in the Making

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Viewing the postponement as a sign, OP contemplates pursuing his MMA career full-time, free from impending educational debt and the obligation to medicine. With his wife’s salary and potential sponsorships, he envisages a sustainable lifestyle while chasing his MMA dreams.

The Wife’s Rejection

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OP’s decision sparks fury from his wife, who perceives his MMA aspirations as a risk to their future, especially if an injury occurs. She feels betrayed by his unilateral decision, intensifying the domestic conflict.

The Outraged Parents

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OP’s parents, who had secretly planned to finance his education to spare him the burden of debt, are left fuming at his decision. Their disappointment and anger at OP’s abrupt pivot from a secure future in medicine add another layer of external pressure.

Storm Clouds Ahead

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OP faces opposition from both his wife and parents, creating an atmosphere of tension and disagreement. Their united front forms an immovable wall, heightening the sense of conflict. As the dust settles, OP is left to deal with the consequences of his decision.

No Going Back

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Having accepted the deferment, OP can’t retract his decision, despite the mounting pressure from his family. This irreversible action cements his choice and sets him on a course with potential turmoil.

Research Position

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OP’s father secures a post-bachelor research position through a connection for him. This position could provide valuable experience for OP and possibly ease his future transition back into medical school.

The Wife’s Demand

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OP’s wife demands that he accept his father’s offer, hoping to steer him back toward a stable medical career. This argument heightens the tension between them and puts OP in a challenging position.

The Call of the Ring

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Despite his family’s mounting pressure and expectations, OP’s desire to train full-time for MMA overrides all other considerations. His passion for the sport threatens to overshadow the pleas of his family.

A Word of Warning

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A close friend and former MMA athlete warns OP about the physical toll the sport can take, sharing his story of career-ending injuries. This revelation injects a new element of risk into OP’s decision to pursue a professional MMA career. Despite this cautionary tale, OP remains undeterred.

Was The Husband’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts his story online for feedback. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “You say ‘we’ will be comfortable on your wife’s salary, but you mean YOU will be comfortable. Your wife will be forced to support the family while you enjoy a hobby for a year. That’s not comfort. She’s going to resent you big time.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “You made a huge discussion without discussing it with your wife first. That’s not cool and incredibly selfish. No wonder she is furious with you.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “I find it very hard to believe that any MMA coach who knows what he’s talking about would tell a guy who’s in his early 20s with two amateur bouts and is 30 pounds over fighting weight that he has a legit shot at turning pro.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “If you had no other obligations or relationships to speak of, I would say, go on with your bad self and follow that dream. But that’s not the case here, is it?”