CarlosDelRey

I was one of the millions who happened upon this wonderful sport we call Mixed Martial Arts while channel surfing the night of TUF's first season finale. My first glance of those soon-to-be-legends, Griffin and Bonnar, bloodied and battered, yet still swinging with whatever energy they could muster, had me instantly hooked. Immediately, I started looking into this whole "UFC" thing and embarked on a journey of enlightened entertainment, which led me from the early days of the sport; the first epic tournament battles of the UFC in its infancy, the golden age and downfall of Pride, through the evolutionary stages in which the skill set of martial artists became truly mixed as fighters began to transcend styles, and competitors of all shapes and sizes began to receive the recognition and adoration they deserved, to the MMA of today, which, having become exponentially more popular than it's earliest champions could ever have dreamed, has attracted some of the greatest athletic talent the world has to offer. Because of that first encounter with this beautifully violent art form, I have discovered a passion I never would have know otherwise. Having been an avid viewer and amateur (though non-competitive, thus far) practitioner ever since, it would be blasphemy to claim that April 9 of 2005 wasn't a pivotal moment in my life, and I'm certain I'm not alone in that sentiment.

What a joy and privilege it has been to watch the sport grow, and to grow with the sport. Mixed Martial Arts has been a blessing and an inspiration to most (if not all) of its fans, and I hope it continues to outdo itself as it has for so many years.