Perspective of a 59-year-old New MMA Fan

I talked my dad into going to Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City on September 16, and he was compelled to write about his experience. Here is his unique perspective as a fan that isn’t in the coveted 18-34 age range. Pretty interesting and I’m not saying that just because he’s my old man. He will probably share more thoughts (and photos of the event) later:

Perspective of a 59-year-old New MMA Fan

I grew up a pretty big boxing fan. Being 59 years old, I viewed what I consider one of the greatest eras of boxing. I watched the Ali/Frazier brawls. I became absorbed with the love/hate relationship that many had with Howard Cosell. I followed the antics of Don King, watched the rise and fall of Mike Tyson, and became a fan of each event that was promoted. So what the hell is an old-timer like me sitting in the Cox Conventions Center at $200 a pop to watch a UFC event? Well just like every fighter that enters the octagon, the real story isn't the fact that they are there, but how they got there and what happens while they are there.

For one, I happen to be the father of Zac Robinson and he pulled me kicking and screaming into working at becoming a real fan. Sure, I've paid the $45 bucks for the pay-per-view events and enjoyed them. I considered it a pretty good entertainment value in today’s times. But quite honestly, by the next morning I remembered that I saw some great fights but couldn't tell you who won or lost. I tried hard to get more engaged just to pacify Zac and the other younger generations of kids I am around a lot. But a real fan? Nope.

Through a series of events, Zac encouraged me to attend Fight Night 19. I live 75 miles from the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. He even promised that I would get to meet Jacob "Stitch" Duran and probably a lot of other people, including fighters. Okay, why not? Zac has spoken so highly of Stitch in the process of writing his story, I decided to take a shot and that's what got me in my seat in section 307 for what I was expecting to be just another sporting event.

After meeting Stitch at the Hotel, I believed everything Zac had told me about this amazing, personable, and motivating gentleman. More on that later. But for now, I am packed in this little seat, in the middle of the row, and it comes to mind that I am basically trapped in this arena for about five hours. I'm not crazy about big crowds, don't sit in one spot well for very long, and was seriously thinking of retreating to the motel in the peace and quiet of a room and watching the event on T.V.

Then the music started blasting and the vibration absorbed my entire body. My heart rate quickened and the exhilaration started to set in. My thought was, Am I too old for this? Am I going to have a heart attack before I even get to see a fight? Even though the crowd was relatively small, the energy was phenomenal. Then the first fighter appeared in the tunnel for the prelims and again, my heart raced out of control. But as soon as the first fight started, I became absorbed. Although it wasn't a spectacular fight, it was entertaining, and I was rekindling my youthful attitude of the competition, skill, and tenacity that fighters bring. My anxiety melted but my excitement increased.

By the end of the night, I had become a real fan. Why? Because every big sports event I have ever watched, made me feel like a fan. This experience made me feel like a part of the whole promotion. (It didn't hurt that we got to hang out with "Stitch" and make a trip to the Octagon after the fights compliments of "Stitch" and Greg Darling, better known as "The Gatekeeper.") But that wasn't the only hook. We met fighters at the hotel who were genuine, affable, and made us feel a part of it all. Then we saw them as tenacious fighters. They showed us their will and skill while creating chills and thrills. They demonstrated an attitude that made me feel as if the promotion was for my enjoyment. Even understanding their time in the cage was an opportunity to rise in the ranks, their effort, sportsmanship and graciousness as winners or losers gave me a new appreciation for the sport. Most every fight elevated my respect for the sport.

So where is the aforementioned Howard Cosell when we need him? I don't believe the English language has appropriate words to describe what I experienced. Howard would have come up with the superlatives the promotion deserves. Genuine, gracious, real, tenacious, warm, friendly, fierce, warriors, and so on.

Although all those are true, they just don't seem enough. This is the only sport I have ever seen where I feel like I need to get in better shape just to be a fan! And the one word that does fit the sport is INTEGRITY; Real humans embracing real fans while demonstrating their almost superhuman ability and toughness.

Thanks Zac, "Stitch", "The Gate-Keeper", and the entire UFC-affiliated contingent we got to meet, including fighters, who welcomed us to their world even though we can never know what it is like to bounce into the Octagon and battle to the end. We know what it is like to feel like an appreciated fan!

Bill Robinson

NOTE: Part Two is posted at Cutman Stitch Duran