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Why you should watch local MMA live
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
19th February, 2013
4
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Sam Brown
Roar Guru
19th February, 2013
4

Here is a bit of an embarrassing admission: before last weekend I had never seen a live MMA card in person.

I consider myself a pretty hardcore fan, I have watched just about every UFC and Strikeforce card over the last few years, have racked up a decent amount of MMA columns and would consider myself fairly knowledgeable of the sport; yet I had never crossed this particular item off my MMA sports fan bucket list.

That was, of course, until my baptism of fire last Saturday at BRACE 19, where I was lucky enough to score cageside seats so close to the action that the guy sitting next to me was splattered with some of a particular fighter’s blood (after swapping seats with me at the start of the event).

And it was good. Boy it was good.

So good, in fact, that I now completely believe that watching a live local card is something that every MMA fan should do.

Watching MMA in person will change the way you appreciate the sport, the fighters, and the local MMA scene.

To be honest I have previously treated the local MMA circuit with a bit of contempt, holding it at arms length while indulging in the ‘superior’ production of the biggest promotions in the world.

How foolish I was.

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The first impression I got at BRACE 19 at the Luna Park Big Top was that this wasn’t some backyard brawl or back alley set up; it was a complete show with slick video and lighting work, a pounding sound system and professional ringside set up.

And the fights.

Need I say more than 8 fights: 5 TKO’s, 1 submission and 2 decisions.

All of them were fast, back and forth and showcasing of every facet of the MMA game

I have never appreciated the skill, strength and fitness of the men and women who step into the cage more.

Seeing these gladiators go at it in person is something special.

Sure, watching on TV is great but it does not give you a sense of the power these guys use up when then go for a takedown or throw an effort punch.

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It doesn’t reveal the focus in the fighter’s eyes and sheer determination they have to keep going forward.

It is truly the greatest showcase of the fighters’ power, passion and skill.

As long time martial arts trainer, gym owner and judge on the night Evan Bzadough said: “these guys are fighting to get that UFC recognition so they will go hard, if not harder, to try and grab some attention.”

Of course there were some specific highlights: Corry Nelson and Orriol Gasset walking away new welterweight and lightweight champions, the three round war between lightweight veterans Damien Brown and Rob Hill and the impressive debuts of Mark Baskin and John Mitchell (although Mitchell lost).

However the big takeaway was that the Aussie MMA scene is a growing force within the Australian sports landscape.

While it may struggle to generate the big headlines of a UFC or Anthony Mundine/Sonny Bill Williams boxing card it puts on an equally impressive and exciting show.

If you haven’t ever seen one of the local cards and consider yourself a fan, then do everything you can to find one, find a ticket and experience MMA in a way that you never have before.

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I can happily say that I have never loved the sport more than I do now I have seen it with my own eyes.

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