Tips to Help New MMA Fans
MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, has established a cult following over the years. Some of the most famous fighters in the sport include Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey and Georges St-Pierre. Those that know very little about the sport will likely have heard one of these names and the sport they have dominated.
As the sport’s popularity rises, more people are interested in MMA, with many curious about the sport. Starting as a new fan of a sport can be overwhelming. Not knowing who fighters are, the rules or why someone is penalised can make for a slightly confusing viewing experience. It could put some off from continuing to follow the sport.
However, if you are new to MMA, here are a few tips to help you improve your viewing experience.
Learn The Basics
Starting with the basics, learn about the rules of MMA. Knowing the rules of MMA will help you to understand more about how the fights work, what moves are classed as fouls and how long the fights last. This will help the viewing experience, as you know what to look for and expect. There are different weight classes in MMA in which fighters must meet. Each class has an upper limit, and minimum limit fighters must meet to compete. They range from Flyweight, which is 125 pounds, all the way to Super Heavy Weight, which is over 265 pounds.
One thing to remember is that the rules for MMA fights can differ depending on the organisation. For instance, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) only house Bantamweight (135 pounds) through to Heavy Weight (265 pounds). Also, the rules for the UFC will vary from those of the Bellator MMA and the ONE Championship. Before watching a fight, know the rules for that organisation. It can help save time and confusion when the fight starts.
Pick Your Fighter
After knowing the rules, watch a few fights and pre and post-fight interviews to learn more about the different fighters. Read up about the different fighters currently competing and see who you are most drawn to. This could be because you prefer their mindset, personality and fighting style. You might also choose someone because your friends who watch the sport follow them.
If you are a football or rugby fan, there will likely be a team you support and whose progress you follow. In addition, you will watch the games and matches of other teams, as you are a fan of the sport. The same can be applied to watching MMA fights. If you have an individual you support, it changes the experience of watching a fight. You will have someone you are rooting for, celebrate their successes and feel the weight of their loss. However, you will watch other fights to see how well other fighters do. Choose a fighter or two that you prefer to help improve your viewing experience. Over time, your choice might change, but choosing someone to support to start with could be helpful.
[tgdcta items=”1″ id=”170476″]
Get Involved When Watching
Once you have selected your fighter, consider getting involved in the fight. Of course, this does not mean jumping into the ring. It means placing a bet on what you think will be the outcome. The bets you place do not have to be on the fights your favourites are in. They could be in other fights as well.
When MMA betting, you want to have the best odds. When placing a bet, use a trusted betting app to allow you to bet from the comfort of your home. You will want to bet safely. The best betting apps are convenient and increase your chances of gaining a good return on your bet. One of the most important things to remember when placing bets is to know your limits. Do not bet what you cannot afford to lose
[tgdcta items=”1″ id=”180848″]
Learn About The History
When watching a fight live, the commentary will likely reference iconic moments, names and fights from the sport’s history. As a new fan, you might not understand these references being made. It could impact how you watch the rest of the fight. Spend some time learning about the sport. Of course, you will likely have learnt the basics, but dig a little deeper and research some of the references made in previous fights.
Learning about the sport’s history can be an excellent way to keep yourself engaged in the sport between fights. You will be a little more educated about the sport when the next fight comes around and might understand some of the references.
Ready For The Next Fight
Keep these tips in mind when you watch your next MMA fight to help improve the viewing experience. Check the MMA schedule to see what fights are coming up and when. MMA is a popular sport beloved by countless people worldwide. This means that many of the fights take place across the world. Look to see what fights are on and the countries they are taking pace. If there is one close to you or somewhere easy to travel to, consider getting tickets to experience a fight in person.
Watching a fight live can transform the experience completely. The atmosphere, the crowd and the build-up all help you to immerse yourself in the sport. It changes how you view each fight and could help you enjoy the sport more. There is audience etiquette to be followed when watching a fight live. Before attending a fight live, ensure that you are well-versed to avoid any issues to enjoy the fight. Whether you are watching fights live or at home, keep some of these tips in mind. It will help you, a new fan entering the world of MMA, to improve your viewing experience.