Off-Season Blues? 5 Sports to Check out Before Next Season

In the Unites States, three sports reign supreme.  The National Football League, The National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball are the "Big Three" of the American sporting world. Many Americans love these three sports and cheer on their favorite teams with all their hearts.

As we enter a time when only baseball is being played and the football season is in doubt, here are five other sports that you may find are more fun that you thought they would be.

5. Soccer (Or Football Outside the U.S.)

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DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Cedric Collet #17 of Guadeloupe drives past the diving Luis Henriquez #17 of Panama during the 2011 Gold Cup at Ford Field on June 7, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Panama won the game 3-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

While baseball is America's past time, Soccer is the world's sport. Called "Football" in most countries outside of the U.S. (and let's face it, the ball touches the foot way more than American football does), this game sees hundreds of thousands of fans all across the globe attend these matches.

If you are a fan of incredible athletes putting their bodies on the line for pride and glory, soccer could be your game.

4. Ice Hockey

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 06: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks loses his balance while handling the puck against Johnny Boychuk #55, Gregory Campbell #11 and Dennis Seidenberg #44 of the Boston Bruins during Game Three of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final

Okay so Ice Hockey barely makes the list because, No. 1, it is already very popular in the northern half of the United States and, No. 2, the season is almost over.

But, there is a large part of the country that pays little attention to one of the most action packed sports in the world.

Ice Hockey is fast and exciting and for those American's in the south looking for a fun way to chill, Hockey is cool.

3. Mixed Martial Arts

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: George Sotiropoulos of Australia punches Dennis Silver of Russia during their lightweight bout as part of UFC 127 at Acer Arena on February 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Some might say no sport is growing faster than Mixed Martial Arts.

Taking a page from the battles of the old Colosseum of Rome, these gladiators take to the ring with nothing but their hands and their hearts.

Thrilling fights and amazing endurance make these matches a spectacle to behold.

2. Cycling

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PAU, FRANCE - JULY 20: American Lance Armstrong with team RadioShack rides in a breakaway during stage 16 of the Tour de France on July 20, 2010 in Pau, France. Armstrong started the ride between Bagneres-de-Luchon and Pau in 31st place. French rider Pie

Most Americans have heard of Lance Armstrong, but that is the limit of their knowledge of Cycling.

The interesting thing about cycling is that most all of us rode bicycles in our youth which means we can relate. You know what it is like to try to climb the biggest hill or to fly back down it once you reach the top.

The Tour De France is coming up and there is no better time to watch these amazing athletes conquer the mountains and speed through the sprints.

1. NASCAR

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo

NASCAR is as American as you get.

Many potential fans do not tune in with statements such as "I don't want to watch cars drive in circles."

They do not know what they are missing.

What red blooded American does not want to see 43 drivers racing inches apart while throttling 800 horsepower?

The best thing about NASCAR?  A long season.

NASCAR races from February to November so no matter what your favorite sport is, chances are when the season ends there will be a NASCAR race for you to tune into to fill the void.