Official UFC Fight Night: Kennedy vs. Natal Discussion Thread

Prelims stream live on Facebook and Youtube at approximately 3:15pm ET. Prelims switch over to FS1 at 5pm and the main card starts at 7pm. 

It certainly isn't the strongest effort the UFC has put forth in recent months, but hey, it's free. What else would you be doing on a Wednesday night?

Keep in mind that this event obviously counts toward the Autumn 2013 UFC Predictions Competition. Winner nets $500. 13 bouts on this one.

Sorry for the late posting but this needs to be told. On the night of Fight for the Troops, I was there. And I am proud to say that I was. To begin, In my previous posting on the "slow day" Thread, I began by saying that I most recently met Chuck Liddell and Brian Stann at our post's PX, were they had to chance for a pic and an autograph from both of them. Stann seemed like a good guy but more on that later. After waiting in line for 35+ minutes to see them it was worth it. And from there everything has been coming up Milhouse.

After the PX and my duty day, I decided to make it to the weigh ins, although I did not know where they were until 30 mins before showtime, so I changed into my civilian cloths and got ready to leave. My sergeant did not want me to pay for a cab to get there so he drove me. (Saves me on $15) and when I get there, I was right in front with about 200+ other soldiers ready to see the weigh ins. I was right in the thick of it, just about 3 rows of people away from the stage where the fighters and UFC staff was present. It was a great experience in itself. But me being my curious self, I stayed after. So after the weigh ins were done, I saw how the whole Post Weigh in show was run. And from there I saw Brian Stann again along with Katie Bryan and Ariel Hawanni. (Pardon spelling on their names) And as I stayed behind and watched the wrap up show from a more "Uncut" angle, I was amazed how the process went, and sometimes when the crew had questions about certain things, I helped out on some occasions. And they were happy to have a reference. So during said show, behind me I see all of the fighters that weighed in that day, so me being me I said "What's Up" and presented the highest of fives. And I mean I did say hello to everyone, even Mike Goldberg. FUN. And as the show concluded the crew started to take stuff down and I see Brian Stann. So I go up to him to say hello and ask him a question, (cause when else is a fan going to have this opportunity?) So when I come up he right away notices my shirt. The great Brian Stann watches the Tommy Toe Hold Show!!! So right off the back I am stoked, and after that he even recognized me from earlier that day at the PX!!! Double boom. So after some banter for about a minute, I ask him my question. And while we are discussing the question I slowly start to see cameras coming in to both of our views and they place mics to us as we are discussing. It turns out that they are recording a special about Brian Stann that is going to come out later and they are going to use the footage. So after a great conversation, it was the beginning of something great for the next day.

So I get up and I receive my ticket for the event, even then I was not fully 100% on me going until my 1SG specifically asked for me to receive a ticket. So me and my buddy leave early and I get to my spot in the hanger a couple hours before the fights. As I rushed in to the hanger I claim my spot cause it is first come, first serve. Front Row where the fighters exit the octagon. AHHH YEAH!!!. So as the fights begin I am living it up and I love it. Even House was sitting in front of me, and we made small talk and I realize that he lives not far from where I do in Michigan. So awesome. And after every fight I watched, as the fighters excited, I once again offered my praises and once again dished out the highest of fives. Then the MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING... as the fighters come in I start to loose it, even some of the staff started to get excited as I did my own rendition of Bruce Buffer's intro. And as the fight closed Tim Kennedy came to our side and said a few words to us about a few things (later to be discussed) Cool guy. So as the UFC was closing up shop, I walked around and went to the merch shop, got a few things, some free, (3 T-shirts, Hoodie, PRIDE FC DVD, Programs, and full sized poster) and as I walked back, who do I bump into by accident? The one and only Dana White of course. So as surprised I was, I asked him to sign my program and if there was a presser after this. He signs it, and then personally invites me to go to the presser!!! Score!!! So with about  35 minutes to kill, I look around some more, and I meet and get autographs from the commentators in Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan, they are some cool dudes to talk to.

 So after that I make my way to the presser and sit 3rd row from the stage, It was awesome to be were I would usually see on Youtube live. They even let me asked some questions to the fighters! And I talked to Greg Jackson for a bit about Jones's upcoming fight with Glover, he liked what he heard from me, cause like I said, "when am I ever going to do this again?". Even the post's newspaper quoted me on some of my statements about the fights. So was that the end to what seems like the perfect fighting day?

NO!!! Remember when I said that Tim Kennedy said a few words to us after the win? Ohh yeah, I was invited to the AFTER PARTY!!! So after a quick change, I hit the bar and I hanged out with and drank with Tim Kennedy and it was all on him. SO GOOD. So we made conversation and he even remembered me from the presser and asked if his responses were what I wanted. They were. And of all people to be there Greg Jackson was there, and he recognized me from our discussion at the presser. And me and him talked for about 30+ mins about his fighters and game plans, he even was surprised on how much knowledge I brought to some of his game plans. It was a sweet time. And it felt good to know that my input was appreciated. Really cool guy.

And at the time of 2am my day was done, and my experience over those past few days are something I will remember for a life time.

Those days I met:
Everyone on the card
Dana White
Joe Rogan
Brian Stann
Mike Goldberg
Chuck Liddell
Forrest Griffin
Jim Miller
Herb Dean
Big John McCarthy
Bruce Buffer
Greg Jackson
and Tim Kennedy

Wooooo!!! Great day indeed! You deserve it man in arms :)

As for me, 4.5 years in the military and I didn't even get a T-shirt ;)

@HD That's awesome bro. Thanks for serving & I'm glad you had a good time!

Holy **** @hdmex, that is bad ass.  My one question for you:  Did you plug Tapology to any of them?

Certainly at the top of the list for all-time greatest Tapology stories. Gonna be hard to top that one.

Nice work!

Probably the best 'going to a show' experience i've ever read about on the internet, that's awesome @hd.

EDIT: nvm, wrong thread.

* Edited at 11.13.2013, 4:57 PM ET *

I made it on ESPN's MMA portion of the website. So hyped now. This is after Kennedy win when he went to the crowd and the invite for the after party.

Are you in the pic? or did you take the pic?

* Edited at 12.08.2013, 10:15 AM ET *

i am in it, to the direct left of Kennedy 

I guessed that was you, the dude with the fist and happy face?

You need to work on your promotions son!  

they wouldn't let me wear my Tapology shirt. We were allowed only to were our work cloths, and no drinking.

sucks they wouldnt even let you drink

that's pretty damn cool @HD.

PICTURE TIME!!!

* Edited at 12.10.2013, 1:08 AM ET *