For the past few years, I’ve written articles about hockey, comics and music for Sports Media Pass (SMP) and Break the Fourth (BtF). As a director of content for both, I’ve toyed with the idea of adding MMA coverage to SMP. I’m an avid fan, interact frequently with fighters and fans on Twitter, rarely miss any fights and travel as much as I can to watch events live.

Last July and December, I had two significant experiences that have cemented my love for the sport and those involved and galvanized my intention to cover it with fair, unbiased journalism: UFC International Fight Week in July and a special meeting with the champ, Max Holloway, in December.

UFC International Fight Week

Last June, my wife, MaryAnne, entered the “Faces of UFC” contest explaining briefly why the UFC meant so much to her. She recounted the story of sharing her love of the UFC with her sister, Anne Marie. The last major event that we experienced with Anne Marie was the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas in 2012. Less than two years later, in 2014, Anne Marie passed away from cancer. My wife, too, is fighting cancer and loves the distraction of the UFC and Max Holloway and his friends.

Well, MaryAnne was one of the winners of the contest. At the time, we didn’t know exactly what that meant except that we would get a primo seat at the weigh-ins. We did, but not only did we get to sit in a section next to the stage, we were able to go behind the set and meet some of the fighters who were milling around, including the “Daddest Man on the Planet” Daniel Cormier.

At this point, Dana White came over to talk to our group. He was very kind and spoke with us for a few minutes. He then asked us to come into the ring with him for some pictures. Now, I know he isn’t always the most popular man in the eyes of the fans. Some say that he doesn’t always give the right guy the fight he deserves, instead bowing to the big money fights. And, recently, he fell under scrutiny for moving the Jon Jones’ fight after a potential drug failure.

I won’t judge him on any of that. He is running a business, a very successful business. He makes decisions that are in the best interest of the UFC. I’m sure that he makes decisions based on facts that completely elude us. No, I will judge him on how he treated my wife and me. On that front, he was very kind. He took time to hear our story about her sister and seemed genuinely interested. He didn’t have to take time for all of us, but he did. He gets a pass from MaryAnne and me; we are fans.

When that ended, we thought that our “prize” for the winning the contest was over. We were wrong. The next day, we were treated again at the UFC Fan Experience. Many of the fighters were there signing at a long table. The line was looooong. We were able to bypass that line and go behind the raised platform where they were signing. As the fighters exited, we chatted with and took photos with all of the fighters. As with the other fighters I have met over the years, Stephen Thompson, Valentina Shevchinko, Chris Weidman, Curtis Blaydes, Matt Serra, etc were very nice and took time for us.

Like our experience in 2012, this trip to the UFC Fan Experience was amazing. We were treated very well by those employed by the UFC…. and oh yeah, we saw some amazing fights as well.

Flash forward to December.



UFC 231 Toronto

Due to an illness, we were unable to see Max Holloway fight in Vegas in July. That wasn’t going to stop us. We got our passports out and headed to Toronto, determined that we would be “blessed” this time.

What we didn’t know at this time, was that our daughter had reached out to folks in Max’s camp. As a Christmas gift to her mom, she arranged a meeting for MaryAnne with Max. MaryAnne was cautiously optimistic, not wanting to get her hopes up too much in case it wasn’t for real.

The morning of the meeting we were visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto. (an amazing must see for any sports fan, but that is an article for another time) We left the Hall and headed out on foot to where the fighters were staying. We were sure we had plenty of time because, you know, everything looks close on a map! We kept thinking, just one more block. I kept checking the map. I am not great at directions. If I screwed this up and made us late, I may have been a prime candidate for a divorce.

Luckily, we finally arrived with two minutes to spare. We sat in the lobby, not exactly sure that to do or where to go. Suddenly, my wife jumps to her feet and sprints through the doors that lead to the pick up zone. I watch. She approaches two guys outside. After short discussion, they are hugging and taking pictures. (of course, strangers become friends quickly with MaryAnne) Turns out, MaryAnne had recognized two of Max’s close friends from Instagram.

As she is meeting with Smash Boy and Zavier, I notice a gentleman standing about 15 feet from me looking out the door. I approach and he confirms that he is with Max and we are about to have a private meeting with the featherweight champion of the world.

We gather MaryAnne and head upstairs. As we approach Max sitting patiently on a couch, MaryAnne is overcome with emotions and hesitates to advance. Max represents so much for MaryAnne. He comes from humble beginnings and still clings to those roots to this day. He lives life to the fullest and truly embraces a loving spirit. MaryAnne can’t help but dwell on her sister Anne Marie and what she would think if she were here today.

Max rises and goes to comfort her, giving her a hug and a new walk-out shirt. He brings us over to the couches to sit and chat for a bit. He was charming and never once made us feel that he was put out. In fact, Max invited us to sit with his friends and family at the weigh-ins that evening. We were welcomed by all and felt like we belonged. We had amazing seats and great company.

It was truly a memorable experience and further cemented in our minds the quality of individuals who compete in MMA and the UFC in particular. That day, Max Holloway truly blessed us.

Having said that, I am officially kicking off MMA coverage on Sports Media Pass. I plan to treat this sport and these athletes with the dignity in which they have treated us. These are men and women who put their bodies through misery, their skills to the test in front of thousands, and risk serious injury to prove they are the best at what they do. We are just lucky enough to have ring side seats to the show.

I hope you will follow me and give me a read. Call me out if I’m full of it and let me know if you disagree.

I am a 1993 graduate from Indiana University. I have been a teacher, athletic director and assistant principal for the past 20 years. I write for Sports Media Pass and Break the Fourth covering the Indiana Hoosiers, MMA, Music and Comics.