Most of the US now knows the Ultimate Fighting Championship. With cover stories on both SI and ESPN the Magazine, they have picked up national mainstream exposure. I have been lucky enough to have been to a few UFCs and the shows are very well produced and the fights are typically non stop action, unless Tim Sylvia has to defend his belt. Special thanks to Randy Couture for taking the belt away. What some people in mainstream USA might not be familiar with is the International Fight League (IFL). The IFL just started over a year ago and is quickly picking up fan support. They have top level fighters, legendary coaching, and a production/front office second to none.

I was recently at the event in Everett Washington. The fans at that event were literally the best I have ever seen at a MMA event. They came early and were loud from the first bell to the last. I haven't seen fan support of this level since the Chicago Bulls....with Jordan. It was really that loud, with fans cheering their home town Tiger Sharks. Fans got just as loud to show appreciation for tough fighters giving their all in the ring. There is just something about the fan, athlete relationship in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Fans root for these fighters like they are sons or brothers. The athletes appreciate the fans as well. Top fighters often stand by after the fights to talk with fans, take pictures, and give back in general. You would think that the fighters would be tough guys, but quite the opposite is true. Outside the ring, they are well spoken gentlemen void of ego. If the action of MMA isn't enough to fall in love with this sport, then the participant’s humble attitude should be. I would challenge anyone to find a professional sport with as many egoless athletes as MMA.