Getting into MMA

[sandwichsurgeon]

First of I would like to make things perfectly clear for all the agressive tribalist's who inhabit combat sport websites: I don't care about MMA vs Boxing bullshit I respect all fighters and am hoping to branch out.

My favourite sport by far is boxing, concentrated agression can be incredible when utilised properly and provides substantial entertainment but to be frank the big events in any sport are few and far between so to cut to the point, how can I become intersted in MMA?

I want to become interested in the sport but there are no Tyson's or Leonard's to rope me in (that i am aware of) what should I watch? who should I follow? any inspirational vids that you guys know of?

[BewareofDawg]

Once you start watching more and more of it you will see that there are "Tysons" and "Leonards" in the sport. I recently really got into it a year or two ago and I started out just like you. I always trained in kickboxing and martial arts but never followed. Now I follow it pretty religiously though.

Spike TV is constantly playing 'UFC Unleashed' which is a program where they show 3 fights from the past.
Also the UFC PPVs are almost consistently worth the money and showcase at least 8 fighters and 4 top fighters.
The more you watch the more you will understand that even when the guys are on the ground seem not to be doing much, that there is so much strategy and skill being employed.
UFC is able to constantly have the best fight the best because the Organization itself dictates the fights....not the fighters.
Watch the tv show as well.

[BewareofDawg]

The Most Popular Fighters currently are:
Randy Couture (UFC Hvyweight Champ)
Chuck Liddell - Former UFC Lt Heavy Champ
Quinton Rampage Jackson - Current UFC Lt Heavy Champ
Tito Ortiz - Former Lt Heavy Champ
Rich Franklin - Former Middle Champ
Matt Hughes - Former Welter champ
Georges St. Pierre - Former and Next UFC Welter Champ
BJ Penn - Skillwise, this guy is amazing - Former UFC Welter Champ

Those are more or less the "UFC Poster Boys"

Others, not as popular, but in some cases much better:
Fedor Emaliananko - Best in the World - Pride Heavy Champ - Greatest MMA fighter ever
Dan Henderson - Former Middle and Lt Heavy Pride Champ
Anderson Silva - UFC Middle Champ

and others......

[ufoalf]

The Most Popular Fighters currently are:
Randy Couture (UFC Hvyweight Champ)
Chuck Liddell - Former UFC Lt Heavy Champ
Quinton Rampage Jackson - Current UFC Lt Heavy Champ
Tito Ortiz - Former Lt Heavy Champ
Rich Franklin - Former Middle Champ
Matt Hughes - Former Welter champ
Georges St. Pierre - Former and Next UFC Welter Champ
BJ Penn - Skillwise, this guy is amazing - Former UFC Welter Champ

Those are more or less the "UFC Poster Boys"

Others, not as popular, but in some cases much better:
Fedor Emaliananko - Best in the World - Pride Heavy Champ - Greatest MMA fighter ever
Dan Henderson - Former Middle and Lt Heavy Pride Champ
Anderson Silva - UFC Middle Champ

and others......

Good list, except for Tito.

[BewareofDawg]

Good list, except for Tito.
He is still very popular, and undeniably one of the fighters who made the sport what it is today. Not one of the best anymore, but can still possibly give anyone in the division a good fight. Chuck was a bad style matchup for him.

[Club Fighter]

The Most Popular Fighters currently are:
Randy Couture (UFC Hvyweight Champ)
Chuck Liddell - Former UFC Lt Heavy Champ
Quinton Rampage Jackson - Current UFC Lt Heavy Champ
Tito Ortiz - Former Lt Heavy Champ
Rich Franklin - Former Middle Champ
Matt Hughes - Former Welter champ
Georges St. Pierre - Former and Next UFC Welter Champ
BJ Penn - Skillwise, this guy is amazing - Former UFC Welter Champ

Those are more or less the "UFC Poster Boys"

Others, not as popular, but in some cases much better:
Fedor Emaliananko - Best in the World - Pride Heavy Champ - Greatest MMA fighter ever
Dan Henderson - Former Middle and Lt Heavy Pride Champ
Anderson Silva - UFC Middle Champ

and others......

I'm partial to Nick Diaz. I think he belongs up there. Trust me when I say a fighter to watch (all-around skills) is Thiago Tavares. As far as it stands now in terms of action per second, Houston Alexander is #1.