And Now for Something Completely Different

Last night we decided to support some friends and try something different.  Completely different.  Ultimate fighting.  Well, we watched ultimate fighting.  We didn't fight.  Obviously I had my reservations as I am not generally a violent person (except as it pertains to clusters).  I figured this was the kind of thing where the fans get drunk and someone gets shot.  I KNEW my fears were founded when the men got frisked upon entering the arena.  The only place I've been frisked or seen someone frisked as regular protocol is at the airport.  And that was really just soon after 9/11.  Actually, people were relatively calm and no one got violent.  Except in the cage.  

As we looked around for seats, we met up with Amber, whose husband was fighting last night.  I asked if she was nervous.  She said no.  What the what?!  I would have been freaking out.  I kind of was anyway.  People were very excited.  They even brought their kids.  Kids!  I leaned over to Steve and said, "this is the modern day equivalent of the Coliseum!"  He replied that is was a bit, but that these fighters chose to be here and were not, in fact, gladiators ;).   Anyway, the "ceremonies" began, memories of "Rocky" came to mind and a wave of panic swept over me as I remembered that really mean fighters like to kill people.  What if someone died in that cage and the crowd got crazy and we got stomped to death.  I have two kids, people!  Well, none of that happened.   

The above is Aaron.  Amber's husband.  Doesn't he look mean?  Well, he's not.  You'd never know this guy was a fighter.  He's actually a research scientist by day.  Turns out Amber had no reason to be nervous.  I guess she knew better than me ;).  He had his opponent pinned within 20 seconds but then let him go and then the opponent was like an angry insect and there was no stopping him.  He got Aaron in a death hold and that was the end of it.  I guess you have to have a bit of the mean in you.  Or a bit of the angry.  Aaron tapped out and the fight was over.  It was really fun to see.  Yes, fun.  Does that make me a bad person?  No, just sort of Roman.  

Here's a picture of Aaron pinning the insect before he became angry.  He had him for a good long time.  Long enough to really tick him off ;).  

A few fights in, there was a guy that really scared the pants off me.  I went with my friend to get some water and just then the next fighters were coming out.  They do it just like in "Rocky" with the strobe lights and music and insanity.  Well, we were standing right on the side of the red carpet and this nut job comes out making pig/ape sounds and hopping around like a freak.  I literally didn't dare to breath while he passed in case he was like a mini T-Rex and couldn't see me if I didn't move.  After he passed my friend and I looked at each other and had identical "o" shaped mouths and bugged out eyes.  Needless to say this mean bugger won his fight and then jumped up on top of the cage when he was done.  He hurt his opponent enough that the ref had to call it.  I thought a riot might start at that point but alas, we remained safe.  By a miracle.

  This is us smiling in relief that our lives were spared after the Pigape fight.  

Well, I really never thought I'd attend one of these fight nights.  I didn't think it was my style.  I can't knock it, however.  I actually enjoyed myself.  I was yelling for people to "get up!", and "rip his face off!".  I would immediately pick my favorite by who came down the red carpet like a normal human instead of the ones oinking/growling and acting a fool.  Of course, the normal ones rarely win.  It's the Pigapes who are truly mean and therefore do mean things in the cage.  There are few things that are disallowed in the cage but I figure some things are frowned upon. Like beating your opponent until he can't stand up straight. 

So, if you're ever looking for something totally new and different, try a fight night.  You might feel kind of Roman and a bit Rockyish.  It's fun.