MMA: Top Ten Reasons Why We Love This Sport

While we are all in amazement of what we see in sports, on playing fields, courts, and rings, there is one thing I think we can all agree on.

MMA is gathering a following of loyal, educated, insane, argumentative, all out fans that have pledged their allegiance to their favorite fighters and promotions.

These fans and are willing to defend them with lots of YouTube videos, name calling, smart alleck remarks and anything needed to get their points across to prove....I am right, and you are wrong.

So this is my Top 10 List, in no particular order of why we love this crazy sport.

Enjoy.

The Octagon

Let’s be clear, the Octagon is awesome.

It clearly defines the evolution of hand to hand sports.

While the ring was the grandfather of it, the octagon is gritty, and also has a raw and primal feel.

There is something about watching a fight through the chain link fence that says, this is bad ass!

The Superman Punch

When the Superman punch is executed perfectly, it's can be one of the most devastating advances in MMA.

How can you not love watching a fighter fly through the air and then land a blow on someones head?

Also, it's a lot of fun to hear the announcers, especially Joe Rogan go crazy when one of these punches does land up against someones melon.

Georges St-Pierre has to be one of the best at executing this dangerous and effective punch.

The Flying Knee

Again, this advance can be epic and end a fight.

WEC 41, Jose Aldo ended his fight with Cub Swanson in eight seconds in the first round !

Eight seconds.

Once again, when a fighter leaves his feet and can land a knee on the head of his opponent, that is domination.

It's almost graceful watching this move performed, and for the fighter on the receiving end, can definitely make him reach for the aspirin shortly after.

The flying knee, one of my favorite things to see inside the octagon.

Ring Girls

I will let this one speak for itself.

Rear Naked Choke

Watching a fighter slip around and gain position for this choke, is always fun.

Seeing this develop gets the blood pumping and the fans shouting, we all know that once that elbow locks in, its either lights out or tap shortly after.

There is nothing like having your air supply cut off and feeling like your head is going to pop like a grape.

A fan favorite.

Georges St-Pierre (GSP)

Ok, lets all be really honest here.

We all have a bit of a "man crush" on the current welterweight champ.

If you are still in denial, get over yourself and come to terms with your manhood.

GSP is everything that is right with MMA and the UFC. He is classy, educated, is the champ, and has a french accent to top it off.

How do you compete with that?

The Triangle Choke

Anytime you can win a fight from your back, you have done well!

The Triangle choke comes from being patient, waiting for the top positioned fighter to get over aggressive, then locking his head and arm in.

Once this occurs, just squeeze.

It can be effective and end a fight, just ask Fedor.

Dana White

Love him or hate him, or love to hate him.

The UFC President and mastermind, he is one of the main reasons why the UFC has become so successful.

While he may be a bit crude at times, fans alike would not know what to do if he was any different.

Dana White is exactly what is needed for this sport at the moment.

The Kimura

Once again, watching this develop is a thing of beauty.

Executed correctly, it is only a matter of seconds before the tap occurs.

Shout-out to Dan Hardy!

The Tapout

What can be said about The Tapout? Other than it's AWEOSME!

The anticipation, and build up of watching a fighter struggle, until there is nothing left for him to do.

He is beat. The tapout ensues.

While some fighters claim, "he will have to break my arm or leg" , that is ridiculous.

Tapping is part of it, and while some may think it is a sissy way out, just take a look at the picture and ask yourself, what would you do?

Honorable Mentions

Those are ten reasons we love MMA. While there are so many more, I thought I would list a few.

Honorable Mentions:
MMA Gloves
TUF
Joe Rogan

What are yours?