As we are off and running in 2012, a year that promises to be filled with great local and national MMA fights, it is important to understand your role as a fan.  In the first edition of this three part series, US Combat Sports will take a look at how to be a good MMA fan without going over the top and becoming “That Guy”

Every time you go to a fight, the first thing that you cover is what you wear.  Whether it’s a local show, or a UFC event, you will find all types of MMA clothing from all different brands and styles.  You should note that while really eye catching, shiny crosses, bright red dragons, and skulls of any kind can be a bit much when trying to show you’re a MMA devotee. 

The last thing you want is to look like the “Dragon” guy from the beer commercials.  Instead, go for a walkout shirt of your favorite fighter or even a generic Affliction shirt. If that doesn’t work, a simple long sleeve thermal or single color polo can be just as affective.

And whatever you do, don’t wear fight shorts.  We have all seen the guy, walking around a show in flip flops, a cross yielding dragon skull on his shirt, and pair of TapOut fight shorts.  It’s like someone wearing a Tom Brady jersey along with the silver pants and cleats to a Patriots game. 

Nothing positive comes from trying to look like a fighter in the crowd.  Leave the shorts to the fighters and instead sport some nice carpenter jeans or plaid shorts.  Boots are a better choice than flip flops with jeans, but with shorts, flip flops are ok.  They work for some people, as long as your toe nails don’t look like tree bark.    

Once you have the garb figured out it is important to understand what you are going to watch.  The rules between amateur and pro MMA are different (I understand that 99% of you already know this but please bear with me).

Going along with this comes knowing who you are going to see fighting.  Please don’t yell out “When’s the Ice Man gonna fight?”  It makes everyone do that uncomfortable chuckle which is somewhere in between being extremely annoyed and feeling sorry as well as somewhat embarrassed for you.  To avoid that debacle of fandom, make sure to pick up a fight card from the main entrance or a vendor’s table.  If you don’t recognize the names its ok, by the end of the night the good ones will make themselves known.

Now that we have all the pre fight information covered, we must take a look at maybe the most important guidance you have read yet.  While watching a fight, one may often yell words of encouragement or instruction on what move to work next in an attempt to help the fighter they want to win succeed.  Then three rows behind you the loud, slightly overweight, beer clutching guy everyone hates to sit next to yells “Kick his @$$!”. After yet another whistle wetting drink he stumbles through “punch him in the face!” 

Now, I don’t think anyone will deny that the goal of MMA is to dominate the opponent and even finish them via submission or knockout.  But to bellow these obvious and yet amazingly ineffective pieces of support manages to do nothing but point out your lack of MMA knowledge.  It could also result in you being cut off from anymore barley pops the rest of the night.  As an alternative shout of encouragement, try something that may help gain dominate position or a strike that seems to be working. 

So the next time the local “Rumble Cage Fighting League” fights have a show, follow these simple guidelines so you will be viewed as someone who enjoys watching fighters perform not someone trying to perform at the fights.  Check it out tomorrow as we cover the Do’s and Don’ts of being a fighter.