UFC When and how did you become a fan?

OK. Apologies if there's another thread about this sort of thing. I searched and couldn't find one, but that often doesn't mean much...

For me it was UFC 81. I'm re-watching it today, trying to survive this ridiculously hot day in an equally hot apartment with no air con. Latest temp reading by BOM, 3k from my place, is 41.7

Like many I tuned in to see Lesnar's first UFC fight. I knew nothing about the organisation, or any of the other fighters.

Re-watching it today is a very different experience. The main event between Big Nog and Tim Sylvia for starters. Spotting Rampage walking in with Sylvia's camp. Knowing the name of the guy rubbing stuff on their faces is Jacob Duran.

It was really interesting to go back and watch it again through very different eyes.

i really dont even know how i got into, was a craze within my group of friends and i got into it to.

was around the time of UFC 84 probably one of the best cards ever.

I remember how i got into MMA very well..

I was a huuuuuge wrestling fan growing up. Not just WWF/WCW but all the smaller promotions/japanese stuff.. Part of that was the tape trading scene which was the only way to get ahold of any non mainstream wrestling in Australia at the time..

So in 2000 I made a tape trade for a few tapes.. I had heard of the UFC before, but knew very little. Only that Ken Shamrock was in it who i knew from WWF fame.

So I made a swap for a tape of UFC 1. And watched the 1st fight of the tournament... Gerard Gordeau vs Tela Tuli.. A bald mean looking dutch (i think) guy vs a big sumo... It was crazy... But the fight was even crazier.. Seeing Tuli hit the mat and Gordeau kick him square in the face while he was down was brutal and i was hooked. I got to see my man Ken Shamrock do well too. And ofcourse the amazing performance of Royce Gracie...

So from there I just wanted more and more... I got more UFC tapes and then found PRIDE and my fandom just grew. Now i never miss a show.

eggshen said:

I was a huuuuuge wrestling fan growing up.

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Same. I remember the first promo I ever saw for the WWF in New Zealand. It was during my final year of high school, and had Tama from The Islanders leaping up for a massive frog splash from the top turnbuckle. I tuned in and watched Superstars of Wrestling, saw Hacksaw knock out Andre The Giant with the 2x4, and Ric Rude hit on Jake Roberts' wife Cheryl. That was it, I was hooked.

Don't know how many times I phoned up "The Wrestling Information Line" when I came over to see my folks in Sydney. I do know it was a lot though, because I got a telling off about the phone bill...

I loved the film "Bloodsport" as a kid and when I saw a video that looked pretty much like the same concept, then I had to have it!

Bought UFC 1, on VHS, was not sure if it was real or fake until the first fight started!!

Went back and bought about another 10 on VHS.

Used to take a trip out to the Eagle Entertainment wholesaler every few months and get the lates couple of tapes

Have been pretty hooked ever since.

I'm not really a fan mainly because a lot of the matches I seen they send too much time on the ground wrestling. If after 30seconds nothing is happening (ie punches) then ref should get them back up on their feet otherwise i just wastes time and makes the match boring.

If they doing a submission move fair enough I don't mind.

All they need is a few tweaks here and there and it will be great.

Also I don't know if you guys get MMA on the mainland, but we had a couple events organised here in Hobart. I remember reading the article that it was here because they allowed it to go ahead in tassie.

I am not sure when the next one is on. It mainly has local Australians in it.

First event i watched was UFC 40, which was the first event on PPV in Australia i think.

Saw promos for the PPV coming up on Foxtel, and a mate got the PPV at his house. Been watching MMA and boxing ever since then.

Still one of the best cards ever in my opinion.