Jabacon79

A time I learned to like something.

( I am currently a student enrolled in English 102 at EvCC and this assignment is about how I learned to like something that I initially disliked.)

Growing up during the 80's when all the younger boys walked around with their WWE action figures, making noises, and mimicking fight scenes they had seen on t.v. I was pretty sure that any sort of sport that used fights for entertainment was not my cup of tea. You see, I lived in a very real world and that quite obviously was NOT, and if it was it was grotesque! As time went by, fighting for sport seemed to be evolving and in the early 90's MMA style fighting started to become widely popular, thus resulting in the multi-billion dollar industry now known as the UFC. Even with it's growing popularity and many claims that it was indeed 'real' fighting, I did not appreciate it. I thought it was neanderthal-like behavior that was only for gore enthusiasts and the unintelligent.

I had a few friends that tried talking me into watching the sport and sometimes I would join in on their fight night parties, but I never paid full attention because my mind was made up! Then on December 9, 2017 my boyfriend talked me into watching some UFC fights with him. With each fight I began to appreciate it more. There seemed to be a certain focus that some fighters had that we don't often visibly see in many people or occupations around us. When Cub Swanson and Brian Ortega took the ring a few fights in, I was hooked! The level of focus and concentration from Ortega was unwavering, and Swanson's tenacity even though he knew he had his work cut out for him was incredibly impressive! With Swanson ranking #4 in the men's featherweight class, I think most of us expected him to take the fight. After Ortega clearly won, the show of sportsmanship and utter respect on both sides was undeniable.

Now that I have watched quite a few more fights I have a new appreciation for the sport and the athletes that participate. I see that bold tenacity, the unwavering focus, and undeniable sportsmanship displayed by most in the industry. Upon reading this article in the New Yorker I came to find something out about my change of heart towards entertainment style fighting; whether it's all for show, all genuine, or whatever the facts may be, I am a fan!