UFC 321: Nathaniel Wood on how family and therapy help him with ‘waves’ of OCD

The initial topic brought up by Nathaniel Wood during his conversation is his two daughters.

Wood radiates happiness as he shares that Arla, who is one year old, and Layla, just over two months, have accompanied him to Abu Dhabi.

The 32-year-old fighter from London has traveled with his family, which includes his wife, parents, for his match against Jose Delgado at UFC 321.

For Wood, having his relatives close is essential for achieving the right mental state before a fight, as things have previously gone awry when they weren’t around.

«When I’m without them, my mind is consumed with thoughts of home. I keep looking at my phone every couple of seconds to check what’s happening,» Wood shares with BBC Sport.

«Having them here allows me to concentrate on what’s required. I feel much more at ease.»

With his family around him, Wood is relaxed, showcasing a grin as he greets and responds to BBC Sport’s queries with confidence.

However, his experience in Abu Dhabi hasn’t always been pleasant.

During his last visit, prior to his daughters’ births in 2023, Wood suffered defeat at the hands of Muhammad Naimov while dealing with mental health issues.

Wood grapples with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – a condition marked by persistent thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

«It comes in cycles. One moment you can feel perfectly normal, and suddenly you might have what I term a ‘dark cloud day’ where anxiety takes hold and you fixate on things,» Wood explains.

«Sadly, my struggles arose during fight week. Upon my arrival, I was battling severe anxiety.

«When I deal with OCD, it prevents me from progressing. Throughout the entirety of that week, I was neglecting the fight and instead, fixating on unnecessary concerns and obsessing over them.

«It completely overtakes you. It’s as though every moment is consumed by that thought, and nothing else can penetrate your mind. I could be conversing with you, yet my focus might drift elsewhere.»

Wood indicates that several factors played a role in his loss to Naimov, but his OCD impeded him from performing to his standards.

He notes that his obsessive thoughts can span various subjects, with health concerns being a «notable example».

«A trivial headache might lead me to think, ‘I have a brain bleed, or brain cancer,’ and I can’t shake those thoughts,» Wood states.

«This breeds anxiety and leads to increased rumination. It’s a haunting experience when you’re trapped in that mindset.»

Wood has consulted therapists for his OCD and utilizes medication, urging others not to hesitate in seeking medical assistance if they suspect they might be affected by similar conditions.

«I consider myself fortunate to have a supportive family. My dad, mum, and wife are all there for me. However, I can only imagine the bleakness for those without such support,» he mentions.

«Personally, I’ve discovered that vocalizing my worries helps ease my mind. It’s often not as grave as it appears in your thoughts.

«You can end up trapped in a cycle of nightmarish thoughts, believing they hold truth.

«I would strongly recommend seeking therapy for expert guidance, as there are various strategies available.»

Following the interview, Wood plans to take his family for a meal at a local shopping center, humorously adding that he won’t indulge too much due to his weight cut ahead of the featherweight (10st 5lb) fight against Delgado.

The American competitor, Delgado, is viewed as a promising talent, holding a record of only one loss in 11 matches.

Though Wood enters the ring as the underdog, he boasts an impressive record with just a single defeat in his last eight encounters.

Keeping his family close helps focus Wood’s attention on the goal – defeating Delgado.

«I absolutely believe that talking with someone is beneficial and staying busy helps. When my attention is diverted and I have things to keep me occupied, it stops my mind from spiraling like during times when I’m idle,» Wood remarks.

«This marks my fourth competition in Abu Dhabi. I’ve secured one win and incurred two losses.

«Naturally, I’m entering this match with every intention of securing a victory and putting forth my best performance.»