UFC: Why Watch?

Once again I am embroiled in controversy.

I find myself two weeks out of the hospital, fighting a fever for the last three days, and now answering a firestorm of comments because I am a very opinionated old gal and young folks, guys mostly, cannot stand that.

Well back off bad boys cause granny ain't gonna budge!

Guess I am a dinosaur to the "young gun writers" on this site and should be sent on to the bone-yard in the sky, or try to become interested in the drivel of " Desperate Housewives" which is definitely not my style.

No, I am an aged but confirmed tomboy and my interest is now firmly rooted in MMA.

I am not a "meet and greeter" or fan who will travel miles and sink thousands of dollars in ringside tickets to observe the sport; I read articles on the Web, in magazines, and watch my video discs and MMA on TV.

The UFC, as controversial as it can at times be, is my drug of choice.

Why? I'll attempt to tell you.

I do not like boxing, but have learned to appreciate its skills as used in MMA. Bobbing and weaving, working angles, striking and counter striking, chin down, hands up—I am learning to appreciate these skills and as a child of the '60s I even love the trash talk and the showboating reminiscent of Cassius Clay who became Muhammad Ali.

Funny how the young kids on this site think that their generation is responsible for all these things.

Ah, "Youth," I have tasted it and it has left a bitter taste on my tongue. I would rather be old and wiser than young and brash.

The thrill of watching a skilled fight between fighters trained in different disciplines is like Forrest Gump's mother's box of chocolates; I love never knowing what I am going to get when I sit down to watch these fights!

Of course every fight is not good. Some are so bad (Nate Quary v Kalib Starnes) it is hilariously funny.

Other fights like the Matt Hughes GSP series have had me jumping out of my seat with pure joy.

The Serra v GSP fights which were so painful for me because I love and admire each man so much and hated watching them as adversaries.

And there was the Pete Sell v Scott Smith fight where after the first round when Big John McCarthy stepped in to separate them viewers saw his look of surprise as they walked away arm in arm, smiling broadly around their mouth pieces, and patting each other on the head.

Not only did that fight have the very type of sportsmanship I have cherished for all my life, it had one of the best and most surprising endings I have seen.

Two guys, both friends and comrades in arms, slugging it out to the end when one takes a hit to the ribs and is falling in a world of hurt and then KO's his buddy by summoning his last ounce of strength for the punch. Whew! that one really got to me, leaving an  indelible impression.

Roger Huerta and Leonard Garcia who smiled through the whole match as Huerta punished him, kneeling on the mat with each other's head in their hands, honoring each other for a fight well fought. Such a beautiful example of brotherhood! Scenes like that make me cry with joy.

Enjoyment brought via the outrageous and controversial Tito Ortiz who I always found anything but boring for his theatrics before and after his fights. Yes he can be a real dick, but for some reason I loved him.

Jens Pulver beating BJ Penn; Joe Lauson beating Jens. Surprising battles, but "wow factor fights"!

The beautiful balletic grace of Georges St. Pierre who just gets better as he ages like a fine French wine. And then there is the bonus of his charming accented speech, his humility, earnestness, good looks and sterling example of an MMA fighter—a poster boy for the sport.

At times I have wanted to kiss Dana White for his apparent love of the sport and at others I have wished I could "mute" him to keep from hearing another f-bomb. I have always had such love-hate relationships, just ask my mother.

Stars who are larger than life like Rampage and Forrest, who are funny, yet lethal when opponents in the octagon. Bring on the heat guys, it is the only heat I can handle (MS).

The closeness the sport brings for me, my youngest son and his two sons 15 3/4 and 4 1/2 years old. UFC PPV's are always a big party for us. We don't always like the same fighters, but really love the sport. Real wrestling is big in our family and goes back three generations on the paternal side.

MMA is my window to the world; it is handicap accessible from my chair via the television set.

I used to be able to run outside and jump on one of our horses and ride to experience every emotion in life.

Now I experience my emotions vicariously through the sport of MMA and the fighters of the UFC. 

And this is my experience not yours, so just get over it!