Consensual violence

Two artists at work
Competing for one canvas
But their strokes are strikes

It's 1995. I'm 11 years old. I have pay per view un-scrambler in my home. I turn it on one night and witness men of all shapes and sizes fighting in a cage. The cage is in the shape of an octagon. I fall in love. It's 2004. I'm 20 years old. The ultimate fighter reality show is attracting more people to the sport of MMA. I despise these fake fans. It's 2009. I'm 25 (just shy of that mark). Everyone watches 'Ultimate Fighting'. Strange how things change from being fringe bloodsport to mainstream sporting event. It's even stranger to overhear people talking about MMA at school, movies, work. But they don't talk about MMA. They talk about UFC. They talk about it as if the UFC is MMA. I still despise these fake fans. I no longer have an un-scrambler.

I turn on the tv sometime last year. I see a commercial for Never Back down. I have the urge to vomit. I'm talking to someone I just met about a recent UFC fight. Then I mention that what the UFC is doing may be bad for MMA. He asks what MMA is. I change the subject. I'm talking to someone else of little relevance in my life. The topic of combat sports comes up. I mention that I train Muay Thai and BJJ. His response, like many other people this society over, is I bet you can kick a lot of people's asses huh? I change the subject. I turn on the tv sometime last week. I see a commercial for Fighting. I have the urge to vomit.

I don't think this fad is going away.

Things to say to people wearing UFC shirts/hats:
1. Do you ultimate fight?
2. If yes, you wanna ultimate fight?
3. If no, make up a gym name and tell them you teach UFC, they should stop by.
4. Ask them if GSP could beat Silva.
5. Ask them if Silva could beat GSP.

Ring the in stepping
Be to need I rather or
Confident am I