The first round. Everyone is excited and full of energy. People start fast, grips are hard, movements are sharp, and you’re still warming up. Sometimes it’s also the first time you’re training with that person. You don’t know how they move, how much control they have, or how hard they’re going to go. That difference is where injuries tend to happen.

The last round. Some people treat it like a victory lap. Others try to make up for earlier rounds, push the pace, or turn it into a conditioning test. Intensity goes up right when fatigue is highest and reactions are slower.

And sometimes it’s the round you didn’t want. You already said no. They asked again, and you said yes.

None of these are guaranteed problems. But they’re the ones you should pay attention to.