UFC in Atlanta: A primer on mixed-martial-arts
August 11, 2008 at 8:04 pm by Jason Hatcher in SportsMixed-Martial-Arts is a sport. Yeah, you read it right. It’s a sport. Heck, it’s even a vastly popular sport. And it’s coming to Atlanta via Phillips Arena on September 6th by way of UFC 88 — which will be one of the organizations major pay per view events this year. For a large number of people, mixed-martial-arts is the primal definition of sportsmanship.
An evolved yet ancient form of hand-to-hand combat where two men of equal attributes battle one another until one falls and the other basks in the glory of cheer and admiration. And it’s every bit as much a chess match as it is a clash of fists. Often constructed from more physical intricacies than a typical team of men tossing rubber balls around, mixed-martial-arts still struggles somewhat to break through to a higher level of mainstream success where the sport is recognized by media and humanity alike as much more than just some gladiatorial blood spectacle or some sort of violent pornography.
Over the next few weeks, I will blog about the coming UFC event and serve (for lack of better words) as a local ambassador for those Fresh Loaf readers who possibly dislike or misunderstand the sport of mixed-martial-arts. Or even those curious few still sitting on the metaphorical fence. In the coming weeks leading up to the event, I hope to at least achieve the goal of transforming the often negative cliche of mixed-martial-arts and its fan base.
What is often conceived as a horde of knuckle-dragging-neanderthal-meatheads are many times articulate athletes who have often graduated college, participated in collegiate wrestling programs and some even trained for past Olympic games. Much less those determined athletes who have spent decades in the ranks of amateur martial arts leagues sacrificing their health and safety to simply exercise their hard-earned talents most times for paychecks not high enough to cover the occasional medical bill.
It’s a bit surprising that the city of Atlanta hasn’t been visited by the UFC during the past three years of its popularity spike. After all, Atlanta has its own respectable martial arts scene, a long history of boxing and the city hosts an obvious and reasonably successful stable of professional sports franchises from football to baseball and beyond. And make no mistake about it. The UFC is on a mission here.
The UFC, which normally airs live from Las Vegas, has previously held events in other cities around the United States. The Southeast, however, has been all but overlooked in recent years. The UFC has even expanded recently into countries including Canada and the United Kingdom with others such as Mexico, Germany and even the Philippines on the radar.
I’ll toy with the lock of a Pandora’s box by saying that some of the entertainment stereotypes of the South are essential ingredients in the sport of MMA’s greater growth and expansion. Atlanta, for example, is a city with a massive NASCAR base and strong remnants of Ted Turner’s former WCW professional wrestling empire left scattered about.
Although many martial artists and MMA fans will grimace at such comparisons, fans of stock car racing and ‘rasslin’ are merely a fragment of potentially untapped demographics within other various sports entertainment sources that fit the basic criteria of potential MMA fans. And this is possibly the target for which the UFC aims.
After all, in order to grow the sport of mixed-martial-arts and boost attendance and pay-per-view buys, the UFC has to rise above the already converted loyalty and expand into other realms. And a live UFC event is typically an explosive experience which is easily compared to tossing all of the exciting elements of a football game, monster truck show, boxing match and rodeo into one fast-paced-sports-entertainment-blender. UFC events are purposely choreographed as sensory overload.
And this is not even mentioning the actual fights. When the fights are good, the entire experience seems like a special championship which is usually restricted to a once-per-year affair for other sports genres. But the UFC pulls off this sort of promotion nearly every month.
Beyond the occasional roadside billboard or radio spot advertising the UFC 88 event, however, I suspect that the city of Atlanta is not exactly braced what’s to come during the first week of September.
You might want to refer to the last time Atlanta hosted the NFL Superbowl. I’ll never forget getting caught myself in traffic and revelry not seen since the last Freaknik.
UFC 88 potentially presents this sort of excitement and action. Just for perspective’s sake, consider that the majority of fighters on a UFC fight card normally host their own celebrations at local bars. These after-parties are a potential economic opportunity for downtown and possibly even midtown nightlife establishments as much as they can be a temporary inconvenience for those uninterested and incidentally caught up in the aftermath.
This special Fresh Loaf coverage of MMA and the approaching UFC 88 event will climax with a special sports edition podcast where our downtown offices will be briefly invaded by several important local figures involved in Georgia’s own locally thriving MMA scene. And Fresh Loaf will also preview the UFC 88 event.
Tagged as “Full Contact Talk,” an expert panel of mixed-martial-arts professionals will discuss the sport in detail and focus in the end on the UFC and even make fight picks amongst other fun features of interest to MMA fans of all types.
The Fresh Loaf podcast guest list includes veteran UFC fighter, Rory Singer who also owns the Hardcore Gym in Athens, Georgia and trains numerous professional fighters. Rory originally trained the current UFC light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin and continues to bring new fighters into the national spotlight. Other guests include the President of Knuckle-Up Fitness, Chris Stolzman and Atlanta-based fight promoter David Oblas. UFC fighter and recent star of SPIKE TV’s Ultimate Fighter Reality show, Cale Yarbrough will be on hand as well as WEC fighter, Brian Bowles. Up-and-comer local MMA star Douglas Lima will attend alongside his trainer and professional kickboxer from both K-1 and World Combat League, Mark Selbee. Fighter agent and former MMA fight judge Frank Bishop rounds out the panel.
Check the Full Contact Talk site for updates on MMA leading up to UFC 88. Next we’ll discuss the history of mixed-martial-arts.
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August 11th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I live in GA and will be attending UFC88 live!! I completely agree with this article: MMA is a sport, no doubt about it.
The parameters of the word “sport” don’t need to be expanded to suit MMA. What defines “sport”??
Athletes?? Professional fighters train and compete with just as much intensity, with the same cutting edge technology and time honored techniques and rigorously follow the same diet and nutrition plans as any NFL player.
Rules?? Despite what any given uneducated MMA critic may be thinking, the UFC is not the pinnacle of barroom brawling. The UFC is sanctioned by the same governing bodies that oversee the NFL. If they can be convinced, can’t you??
Big time sponsorships?? Is Harley Davidson big enough? No?? Maybe Burger King?? How about Anheuser Busch??
Professional mixed martial artists spend years upon years (often beginning in childhood) honing their craft, much like any other professional athlete; Tiger Woods for example.
In the midst of the Olympics, can we not agree that Olympic competition represents the pinnacle of sport and a lifelong dream of thousands, even millions of athletes the world over?? Of course, so lets look at a few of the Olympic “sports” that can also be seen displayed in their truest form during UFC competition: Boxing, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, all different types of wrestling. The similarities don’t end there, but my time does, lol.
I’ll continue to follow this blog, and I’ll be seeing you at UFC88!!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I am a fellow resident of Georgia as well and I am really looking forward to the UFC finally bringing itself to the south. MMA and the UFC has something for everyone. At the moment, as the writer of the article explained, MMA fans are somewhat limited to the traditional martial artists. But I would like to see the UFC expand to different demographics. It is a very physical sport and one does not have to know anything about martial arts to enjoy it. While people like myself enjoy the more technical aspects of the sport, others who like to see big knockouts and maybe even some blood will not be dissapointed. Before I got into MMA, and knew nothing about it, and ordered my first UFC PPV event I was amazed. It is one heck of a show to watch on TV and I get chills thinking about how great its going to be to actually be there for the event in September.
I don’t want people to get the wrong impression and think this is just a show with a bunch of guys beating each others brains out. This is not WWE. These are some of the finest trained athletes in the world. Most of them have extensive backgrounds in various martial arts, amatuer wrestling, etc. and have trained many years.
I am really glad that I stumbled onto this article and I really support what you guys are doing, trying to get the word out and what not. I think a lot of people will be missing out on something great if they let this pass, because it is going to be HUGE! Be prepared Atlanta, this is going to be one heck of an event!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I think it’s awesome that there is a movement beginning down in the south to start bringing more MMA on the main circuits.. there’s always been smaller shows all around the Alabama/Nebraska/Virginia areas etc but still its always small usually unsanctioned shows. Now that UFC 88 is gonna hit Atlanta, shoot Im not even from Atlanta and i can feel the joy.
I can’t wait when UFC finally hits MSG for me.
And I agree with the blogger or poster .. you can just open your eyes and see that this can only get bigger, and IS getting bigger. Im in the subway tunnels the other day and i noticed TUF billboard. Thats pretty insane.
Good read, i’ll be sure to check in on the next “loaf” ;)
Good luck with everything on the show
August 11th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
And i agree with PFCfig.. there’s absolutely no reason to think MMA isn’t a legit valid sport. Every sport has it’s own style and draw, and obviously different sports are more violent than others. To call MMA, one of the newer and i guess “meaner” activities NOT a sport just because it’s too rough is a bit too Nancy for me. =P
August 12th, 2008 at 12:09 am
I don’t live in Georgia either, but I’m excited as hell at the prospect of the UFC branching out to other metro areas. From the sounds of your article, the area just seems to be a “perfect storm” of fans just waiting for this moment. Looking forward to the podcast, and I can’t wait to hear what the local response is like to the live event.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Its great that the UFC has finally decided to take the sport back down south! I believe this is the first time that the UFC has held an event in the south since the sport was sanctioned in 2001. The UFC 88 card looks like it will be action packed, its always a good night when the Iceman (Chuck Liddell is on the Card). I can’t wait to hear the pod cast Keep up the good work guys!
August 12th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Great article! This really sums up what real MMA Fans understand about their sport. Look at MMA athletes and you will see countless college degrees (Chuck Liddell) Math teachers (Rich Franklin), respected business men (Randy Couture) politicians (Matt Lindland) heads of Anti-Terrorist units (Mirko Cro-Cop)
MMA athletes need to be proficient in no less than three Olympic disciplines in order to compete - Boxing, Wrestling, Judo.
MMA proficiency takes dedication, commitment, skill, heart and an unparalleled level of athleticism. The athletes in this sport are a great example
to younger people about the results which can be achieved through perseverance and dedication.
Look to Japan and see how it is viewed over there and the respect that it and it’s athletes receive - that’s what we should be doing.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Excellent points about the untapped demographic like NASCAR and the former WCW may have once those on the \\
August 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
One of the best written article I have read to date!
Thank you so much for this and I am pumped that your paper has taken an interest in MMA as it is imo the fastest growing sport, yes i said sport on the planet!
Thanks again for the great article and I cannot wait to read more!
August 12th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Forrest WILL be in attendance at UFC 88. I just hope I don’t have to clean up my house so him and his gf can stay…the guy takes like 3-4 showers a day and eats like a horse!!!
See you all on the PODCAST!
August 12th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Excellent points about the untapped demographic like NASCAR and the former WCW may have once those on the “metephorical fence” climb into the world of MMA and get a better understaning of what they are looking at rather than what those who frown on MMA want them to believe. I hope the UFC is as successful in Georgia as it has been in Ohio and with the recent approval of MMA in Tennessee, I’d personally love to see Rampage Jackson fight in a main event there someday. Tennessee is full of MMA fans!
August 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Excellent article.
Great points on WCW/Nascar demographic, with the right exposure the fans down south could easily be switched over. I have met people up north that have turned from hardcore wrestling fans to hardcore MMA fans.
I look forward to your podcast and next article about the history of MMA.
August 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I’m an out-of-stater who lives in an area where the UFC can only be enjoyed on PPV. The residents of Atlanta and surrounding areas should be stoked about the UFC visiting! The opportunities that come with hosting a sporting event of this magnitude are incredible. Ticket holders will have a chance to experience UFC88 LIVE while helping to grow the sport and gain visibility – which is huge for MMA and the fans of. Local businesses will continue to serve their loyal customers, while benefiting from the temporary increase in population of people who need hotel reservations, enjoy tourist shopping and who will participate in the festivities after the fights. Any bar or restaurant with a TV and the smarts to order the fight for those who don’t get a ticket will profit before, during and after the event. Sure, traffic jams and the issues that come with more people milling around the city may burden those who don’t have an interest in the UFC. However, the financial benefits to the city out-weigh those short-term inconveniences. As a fan, it is exciting to watch the UFC branch out into new cities! Especially one, like Atlanta, that already houses established and successful MMA programs. We are lucky as spectators to have the opportunity to watch these highly trained, extremely dedicated athletes compete in a sport they are passionate about. Thank you Jason and everyone at Full Contact for getting the word out!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:15 am
Great article and great information. I look forward to reading more!