“The Revolution is Here”

As I sit here and ponder where life has taken me and all the great things I have done and seen; I cannot help but be thankful Mixed Martial Arts is where it's at. At this very moment, an era looked at as a "TUF Noob" paradox is blossoming before our very eyes...

It wasn't that long ago that I was a 13 year old kid going to a local F.O.P. in Mishawaka, IN to see my first amateur NHB (for all you old-schoolers) competition. This was in 1997-98 I believe, and the midwest was a breeding ground for Mixed Martial Arts.

Ground and Pound II was the name. You guys know the show, banquet hall, bad lighting, even worse fighters...But soon that would change.

Companies such as Extreme Challenge, Iron Heart Crown (Shooto in America folks, JZ Calvancante and other's right in the heart of good ol' Northwest Indiana), HookNShoot, and later Monte Cox along with Jeff Curran formed the Xtreme Fighting Organization(XFO). All survived (barely) in an era that has crippled MMA's reputation to this day.

Enter the most damaging quote in MMA history: "Human Cockfighting"-John McCain

Due to his national campaign of hate for OUR sport, McCain stopped a revolution that could have been thriving years ago. My local fights were shut down. No longer could I see the UFC on PPV. The sport I loved was being taken away from me…. from US.

Although he has since apologized for his actions, unfortunately his slanderous campaign still rings true today; as shown by recent mainstream outlets that I will not mention in this article, because to be perfectly frank--they don't deserve our respect, or time.

But the revolution is NOW my friends--case in point, the week of March 30th- April 4th.

What a long strange trip it's been.

From being stripped of my revolution...from OUR revolution--to Cung Le Vs. Frank Shamrock, UFN 13: Florian vs. Lauzon, to the great IFL show that aired this very evening; who would have thunk it? (Oh did I mention those were in three different organizations, hmmmmm. Competition is bad huh?)

From no sanctioning in most states, no T.V. outlets, and a dark legal cloud looming--to Nate Diaz giving us a submission to remember, to Cung Le showing the world that San Shou can dominate in a cage, and to Brad Blackburn showing us that no matter how bad you are getting beat, there's always a puncher's chance if you have the heart--MMA has shown everyone in one week, what WE have known all along.

This is the greatest sport on earth, and damn it, it's time for people to take notice and give respect where it is deserved.

As many of you who know my work and interviews, there's two things I hate:

1. FANS BOOING FIGHTERS-- shut up, sit down, and enjoy the art that is being performed for YOU. You’re not special and you are not kicking anyone’s ass who steps in a cage. I don’t care if they are a 145 pound “can”--he’s still gonna kick your ass.

Put down the bong and the Budweiser; go to a gym and get punched in the face. Then go roll with a sweaty ass, scratchy Gi and get choked out a couple times. Oh yeah, and then train 3 months for a chance at maybe making $10,000 to support your child and wife….and then lose. Get my point? Grow up.

Do you think fighters are covered medically? Do you think they are guaranteed a next fight? Do you realize there’s a chance they are going to die and their families will suffer beyond MY wildest dreams?

So to all you boo’ers out there, don’t come. I personally would rather have 4,000 excited , knowledgeable fans than 17,000 drunk frat boys. (Although Gary Shaw, Dana White, and the IFL would probably disagree with me…)

2. Ignorant, irresponsible “journalists” who need to realize that they are critiquing a sport that involves Olympic Wrestlers, Olympic Judoka, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts, Machado Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts, world class boxing, and let's not forget the lowly national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai. Fellow readers, I hope you picked up on the sarcasm there.

So this is a message to all "journalists", and know-it-alls in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

The revolution has arrived. Mainstream or Underground, I don't care. Just know the sport is here to stay and when we rule the world with OUR sport you too will realize the beauty and grace we have all recognized for years.

At least in recent years some other sport "experts" have come to their senses. (I'm tempted to throw some writers under the bus here, ala Mr. Frank Shamrock; but I shall refrain.) After all, if I learned anything in the 80’s, it’s “knowing your enemy is half the battle”.

But if this last week has taught us anything, it should be this. Mixed Martial Arts is for everybody. It allows the weak to become strong, it allows the poor to become rich, and it allows fans the opportunity of a lifetime.

Because the revolution almost didn't happen my friends and people need to remember the past. In many ways, the past becomes the future if you’re not careful.

No worries however, because our time is now, and the revolution has arrived. War MMA

Ryan "Big Mac" McKinnell-- MMAmadness.com/MMAscoops.com/FightTicker.com