MMA has become one of the world’s most popular sports and has been enjoyed by many over the last few decades. Although fighting sports have been a tradition since the beginning of time, the term “mixed martial arts” was first coined in 1993 when “UFC 1” was aired. Since then, the UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, has hosted an inconceivable amount of fights, with there now being some sort of event every single weekend. Around once every month, the UFC has a “pay-per-view” card that hosts the highly anticipated fights of the month. Coming Saturday, November 16 is UFC 309, the next pay-per-view card – and it is a highly anticipated one. 

This upcoming card, and any pay-per-view for that matter, means more to me than just any regular sporting event. The anticipation that builds up before these numbered events is just one of a kind. One thing unique about MMA as a sport is how much pre-fight media there is. From weigh-ins to press conferences, to videos and podcasts discussing the fight, there is so much to take in before any fight, making it easy to be an engaged fan. This engagement also makes it easy to connect with friends and other fans.

What simply started from watching clips of famous fights on YouTube has turned into a hobby that can be a shared experience with others. To me, these pay-per-views are something for people to look forward to. When there is an event that we care about, my friends get together on a Saturday night, order pizza, and watch the fights that can sometimes last until midnight. No matter how long it lasts, these nights never get boring. Some of my favorite memories ever from my friends come from these unexpectedly fun watch party nights. I think that MMA events have a unique hype to them that makes it easier for people to come together and enjoy a shared experience.