PRIDE AND TRUE

PRIDE AND TRUE:

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WRITTEN BY: Ron 'The Yacman' Yacovetti

Just a few weeks past the International Mixed Martial Arts Expo, aka IMMAE, and I felt it was time to take a look back at what I believe to be a proud moment for all involved in MMA.

...well that and the footage for the highlight reel is finished being edited.

I consider myself very fortunate and blessed to not only be a part of ProElite.com, but to also be a part of this sport where I am regularly put in positions to interact with athletes like Cung Le, Josh Barnett, Robbie Lawler, BJ Penn, Eddie Bravo, Scott Epstein, Conor Heun, in addition to personalities like ring announcing legend Bruce Buffer.

I am also grateful to have found myself intertwined in a little web TV show called "Yac & J's MMA and BOXING Show" - which airs weekly, Monday's 8pm PST on www.thestream.tv. My co-hosts, comedian/analyst Randy J and the truly beautiful, inside and out, Miss RaRa make the most dreadful day of the week something I look forward to.

So how does the gratitude for my career and The Yac & J Show tie into the reflecting upon IMMAE? I'm glad you let me ask on your behalf here...

Miss RaRa, the well-known Queen of the UG is a co-founder of this mega-event. And, Randy J put together a kick ass crew of HD cameras and operators to cover it. The meetings leading up to it rolled out and my to my delight, The Yacman was the guy all those involved in the event's planning, wanted to host it on screen. So yes, I am beyond thankful.

Miss RaRa, for those who do not know her, is an amazing woman. She pours her soul into MMA, going to events, traveling and always finds her way back to L.A. for the Yac & J Shows on Monday nights - no matter how tired she is. This is one hard working lady who I respect greatly. Randy J is not only a funny MF, he also busts his hump to make things happen and did an awesome job directing crews for a full weekend of non-stop things to shoot.

I spent three days of my life walking around a wonderland of MMA attire, personalities, gear, etc. Time slipped by quickly. Not one moment felt like work.

And as easy as it is to get caught up in all of the hype, names and hot bikini contests going on - (disclaimer to my wife: I was told these happened, not like I hosted any of them) - I was blown  away by the work it took to stage this event for not one, but three full days.Some of the folks I'd met and knew like Randy J, Miss RaRa, Corey Rewski(Hardcor Fight Gear), Don Wetherall, Steve Fulgham and Brian Jaus were as impressive to me as any star fighter who had flown in. They were all lacking on sleep big time and almost entirely fueled by their pride in the sport, pride in their work and pride in the experience that this whole thing was intended to create.

These people, amongst others, brought the sport of MMA to the masses, put fans and fighters in close contact and helped bolster the retail sides of the sport. I'm a huge boxing fan, been involved with it for years and I've not seen an Expo for it, like that before.

So if you can make it out to Long Beach, California next year, come out to see the event that, in my opinion, deserved just one more day of shine.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 3 DAY EVENT HERE

http://videos.proelite.com/stuff/video/125471/IMMAE

The Yacman