Getting Hooked on MMA
By Guest Blogger Sarah
I think mine is the typical story of becoming an MMA fan. Growing up as an uncoordinated, unathletic kid, I lived vicariously through adult sports figures – especially full-contact sports. Football, hockey… even pro wrestling occasionally. One day I was visiting a friend’s apartment and he popped a tape in the VCR (yes, I’m old. Shaddup.) and told me, “Watch this. That tiny little guy is going to make all those big guys look stupid.”
Of course, you all know the rest of the story. I was hooked. We ran down the street to the video store and rented every other UFC they had (which wasn’t many – it was 1997). We sat in front of the TV for hours. My friend had introduced me to such an amazing world, one in which anybody could win! Eventually, I married my friend. Ten years and three kids later, we still watch every MMA event we can together.
It’s still an odd feeling sometimes to be the only woman in a space full of men. In all the years I’ve been watching MMA, I’ve yet to meet another knowledgeable female fan. Meanwhile, large groups of males gather regularly in my living room to cheer when their chosen fighters are victorious or boo and throw chicken wings at the TV when they’re defeated. Despite being different sexes, we feel the same sense of camaraderie. I hope that my daughter grows up to love MMA, even if she’s alone in it as I am at times. I want her to have the same sense of wonder that anybody can win.
Are there any other female MMA fans out there? Speak up!
Check out the latest from the UFC’s YouTube channel …
If you are a female who loves sports, check out Girls Dig Sports where Lyndsey D’Arcangelo gives you a daily does of sports talk from the female perspective.
