MMA Fans Have Been Waiting, and Today is the Day!

Well, there may be one exception to the headline's claim, in Dana White, who is certainly MMA's biggest fan. But he is not a big fan of the Affliction-Banned show that is the big event to which I was referring

White has acted as paranoid as a street person thinking everyone is out to stab him in the back to steal his Twinkies and bottle of cheap wine.

Imagine: An event other than the UFC capturing the imagination of MMA fans nationwide! It must, to White at least, seem like sacrilege.

So, now that the big day is here, I am too wired up to do anything except take my multitude of life-sustaining pharmaceuticals to hopefully keep me breathing during all the excitement and watch a video of the weigh-ins on MMA Madness.

Wow, and what a video it is!

I felt as if I was in church having a religious experience as I watched the clip, titled "This is the ugliest belt since the John Cena spinner belt was introduced."  (I know, the title doesn't sound the least bit religious; you will either have to take my word for it or see it yourself to understand my feelings about it.)

First of all, there is the sound track, which took me directly back to my youth, sitting next to the organ in the choir loft in a silky burgundy choir robe, looking out over the congregation (from the balcony).

When the music began, I expected to hear a chorus of "Hosannas" and have to stand and join the choir.

Then, beautifully muscled bodies walked onto a stage while a distinguished gray-haired gentleman announced their names, much like a minister reading off a "please pray for the sick" list at the end of his sermon.

Although a series of young men in their underwear ensues (music still playing) and an awe-inspiring spectacle (for me) of chiseled bodies continue from the scales to posing with their opponents, there still is an atmosphere totally unlike any I have experienced watching any weigh-in.

How the promoters decided on this presentation of "Banned" against a church-like atmosphere was (to me) truly ingenious.

If I had not previously ordered the event, this would have sent me running for the phone to do so.

How wonderful to see the baby-faced Edwin "Bam Bam" Deweise looking so healthy and full of his boyish innocence as he took his turn on the scales. It has been way too long since I have seen him.

Babalu did not look intimidating, and seemed just like a really nice guy as he approached the scales.

Big Tim Sylvia was booed as he entered, and took my recollections back to circus sideshows and the world's tallest man exhibitions of my youth.

Then Fedor came out looking like a favorite uncle, muscled but just a big smiling teddy bear ready to tussle and then give piggyback rides to all the kids. And, unlike scary Sylvia, Fedor got a huge ovation from his adoring fans while he was on the stage.

While the rest of the cast for tonight's extravaganza was also as impressive as the combatants I have mentioned, let me simply say that this is something you must see for yourself. Granny's intellect is just too overwrought to continue further description.

Oh, yes, if you need to, don't forget to take your blood pressure pills and meet me at ringside tonight!

Dana, you are welcome too, if you can sneak away from that "other" minor distraction.