The 'When I met an MMA Fighter' stories....

[Jimmy_G]

I

I must admit, I do enjoy reading peoples stories of when they met an MMA Fighter; how it went down, if illusions were shattered or the polar opposite. I've been very fortunate over the years to have been able to 'shoot the shit' with these unique breed of human beings. Most have been great crack, some, not so much. Then the odd bellend, that puts you off them for life....

I will kick it off with our old favourite, The Crippler....

Copy and pasted from another thread....

Just a quick little recap of the weekend. My girlfriend has been an MMA fan for the last 4 years, pretty much since we met. She never misses a UFC card and always watches the Countdown shows and Post Fight Press Conferences with me. She loves it. Chris Leben is also her favourite fighter, by a long way. I've always been a fan of Chris, no matter what anybody says, I just love what he brings. 

 

As soon as the card was announced I booked us tickets to the Hilton, and also set that weekend aside to propose to my girlfriend. 

 

She knew nothing about the proposal, and that was set to happen on the Friday night at the Hilton. I had hoped that maybe she could get to meet Chris, maybe at some after-fight party. Or that at least was the plan.

 

The Friday night proposal went perfectly. I blagged a room upgrade, and also free Champagne for our meal. 

 

After the fight on Saturday we headed back to the Hilton. We stayed in our room for a while before heading downstairs. Now I'm not one for autographs or photo's, to be honest, my days of being starstruck are a long time passed. 10 year ago, I got to meet my idol in the British boxer, Ricky Hatton. I wrote an article on that chance meeting, Rick read it, and asked me to be his sports writer for his website, which I also ran. 

 

During the years myself and Rick became very good friends, I also attended every fight with him, covering and reporting, and was also part of his dressing room team. I was very fortunate to meet many of my boxing idols, from Oscar, Floyd, Manny, Sugar Ray, Hagler, Shane, etc etc. Also many of the English Premier League footballers, including the likes of Wayne Rooney et al. 

 

As we headed into the bar I spotted Buffer, so the missis grabbed a photo with him. Next up was Goldie, who was also only too happy to oblige. About an hour later we spotted Chris outside with his new fiance. My fiance ran out to grab a photo with Chris, who was only to happy. She then asked for a photo of Chris and his fiance, they both obliged. 

 

Chris's fiancé, Kaleena then told my fiance, Lindsay, how that was the first time anybody had ever asked her for a photo with Chris, as she is normally always on the outside of everything. 

 

Then basically, Lindsay and Kaleena hit it off big-time. Which left me chatting to Chris. I thanked him for taking the time as Lindsay was a huge fan and also advised him that we had got engaged at this event, with his appearance on the card being the deciding decision. He loved that. 

 

Then, we spent the whole night with Chris, Kaleena and a guy called Robbie, and Chris's best mate from Oregan. After a few hours in the bar, Chris invited myself and Lindsay up to his penthouse suite for Champagne and food. 

 

We stayed well into the early hours. Before we left, Chris thanked us for coming, and gave Lindsay 2 signed T-Shirts and a huge personal signed poster with details of how to keep in touch him both himself and Kaleena.

 

What an amazing guy. After watching Chris right from Season 1 of TUF, I felt like I already knew him, and to be honest, he is the most down to earth guy I have ever met. 

 

He is so funny, generous, caring, it was an absolute pleasure. I've met and conversed with alot of so-called stars, and although everyone was polite and genuine, I always felt part of that was a front. With Chris, it was anything but. He made us feel so comfortable, it was like he'd known us both for many a year. What an amazing gentleman Mr Leben is, truly. 

 

As far as weekend's go, it couldnt have got any better than that. 

 

P.S. 

 

 

We got talking about the Wanderlei fight, and he asked me what I thought, so I told him. It was a nightmare for me, as I didnt want to see any of them lose. Wandy is my all-time idol, which he obviously could relate to, but also said exactly how I felt. 

 

I told him that I just wanted to see a great fight, and as cliche as it may sound, the best man win. I couldnt really choose. He laughed, and said you were happy then ? I said 'was I fuck!! ' it was hardly a great fight, you just smashed him. At which he laughed and gave me a bowl of his pasta he'd made in his teapot. 

 

 

 

[RickStorm]

Awesome thread.. VTFU

 

[BispingChamp4Life]

Excellent story. Thanks for posting.

I met Buffer outside Wembley arena. He must have spent around an hour outside taking pictures with fans. I thought that was awesome.

[Winston_Wolf]

good post

[Rudi]

In

[Jimmy_G]

Yeah Buffer was great, we got two photos with him. Although he did question why Lindsay looked a little hyper. I told him that it was her nerves as she loved him. If truth be known, she was off her head, Escobar-style.....

[Jimmy_G]

Ok, for the last time, I promise....

How do I insert photos ? 

I have the 5 different link options from Imageshack, but like a tit I am, I can't seem to get them to work...

[Batdaddy]

Awesome story, I always was a fan of Chris. How he doing better than he was a few months ago

[TheImmortalStocktonSlap]

.

[TheImmortalStocktonSlap]

Do you and Chris still talk?

[Jimmy_G]

IAmNotImpressedbyYourStocktonSlap - Do you and Chris still talk?

 

Lindsay and  Kaleena still keep in touch quite regularly, but not spoke to Chris for a good. 6 months. But he is here, there and everywhere right now. 

 

[Jimmy_G]

I wrote a poem for Lindsay to send to Chris after our weekend. Just to say thanks really, and to post on his private Facebook page. He loved it.....

 

There was once was this fighter named Chris, who on Thackers bed he did piss, Jason challenged Chris to a fight, which was silly In hindsight, as he got smashed by the Cripplers left fist,

 

Then Martin thought he'd got Chris hurt, a left hook which he thought was a cert, to knock Chris clean out, without a shadow of a doubt, but instead it made Chris quite alert, 

 

Chris then fired back like he does, it wakes him up its his favourite buzz, he then came out swinging, for the fence he was winging, it was only time before Terry bit the dust,

 

Then Simpson you sent to the deck, of him you made 'A'Train-wreck, you battered him so, and took his proud 'O', just a day at office, what the heck, 

 

Then Akiyama he fancied his chance, against the Crippler he felt he could dance, but he left his neck dangle, and got caught in a triangle, and the Leben's stock was enhanced.

 

With the Crippler suffering from the flu, he got caught like he never would do, Stann hit the jackpot, scored a win he would not, if Chris was a 

100% true,

 

The Axe Murderer then fancied a shootout, underestimating the Crippler no doubt, his clinch was  reversed, and his bubble was burst, with an uppercut he got knocked the fuck out, 

 

Hey Chris let me say your the man, a true fighter who gives all he can, a left hook that's unreal, with a  jaw made of steel, you're the best, from your number one fan. Xx

 

[tefoak]

I met Mike Goldberg at a Fight Night in Austin. It was after the show and people were going down near the cage to see the fighters up close and security started telling everyone to clear out and Goldberg just told them 'no, it's cool' and proceeded to chat w/ fans and take pics. Really cool, down to earth guy. Completely changed my opinion about him.

Went to UFC 136 and met a handful of fighters. By far the nicest and outgoing were Ryan Bader, Ross Pearson and Mark Munoz. Was walking to the concession stand and on my way up the stairs I sae Ross Pearson and I just said 'hey what's up Ross?' and he got up out of his seat to shake my hand. Munoz was just super outgoing w/ all the fans around him. Bader was just really nice, all in all really nice, cool people.

Only fighters that I came across that were rude: Brandon Vera, Frank Mir and Ben Askren. Vera was being approached by several fans and allI heard him say was 'not now' and 'later'. Just seemed generally unhappy to interact w/ fans. I didn't meet Mir only saw his interaction w/ fans. My friend's chick waited in line to meet him and she had those 'hulk smash' UFC gloves. She gave one to Frank and she used the other one fir a face off type photo but Frank just held the glove w/ his thumb and index finger and had a 'hurry up and get your picture' look on his face. Ben Askren was prolly the funniest though. After the show we were exiting the venue and happened to walk past Askren, I'm not a fan of his so I don't approach him I just turn to my brother and say 'check it out Ben Askren' and the people next to me overheard and walked towards him and as they approach him he literally starts running away. Kind of a dickhead thing to do but still kinda funny.

I think my favorite moment was meeting Don Frye. He's like the Bill Murray of the MMA world, I don't think anyone that's met him walks away w/ a bad story. First thing he said to me was 'how ya doin partner' he is a lot bigger than I expected and his hand is fucking huge! Would not wanna get hit by him.

My funniest story is when I met Pat Barry. First time was at the expo, waited about 20 minutes and I asked him if we could face off and he smiled and and said yeah. So it's worth mentioning at this point he is all smiles... Until I put my hands up and at first he had his hands up in fight stance only to put them down, lose the smile, get right in my face and starts gritting his teeth or something, his jaw was clenched up and he was inches from my face and I have to admit I got kinda scared. I was thinking 'oh shit, he got mad b/c I put my hands up in a fighting stance' camera flashed and he loses the mean mug flashes me a big smile says 'thank you' and pats me on my back. I kinda stood there for a second said thank you, shook his hand and left. Ran into him later and someone asked Pat if they can hold their baby and just walked off Pat was just there a 'wtf' look on his face. They came back after a few seconds later and snapped his pic and took the baby, as I walked by he was kinda squinting and I said 'you alright' and he said 'that was the brightest flash I've ever seen' and just laughed it off.

Ah, how could I forget Mayhem. Guy was crazy! He was being escorted to his booth by security and he bolted and ran into the crowd yelling and jumping around. I didn't get to meet him just got close enough to call him out to which he turned around and yelled 'what?!' and started shaking his head or something, couldn't really tell what he was trying to do.

Most popular fighter I met was Chuck Liddell. Saw him at the expo and waited a good 2-3 hours to meet him but when I did it was worth it. I did a face off w/ Chuck and I'm kinda short so when we pose for the picture he kinds hunches over so we're kinda on the same level, which made for a better picture.

Also met Dan Hardy. This one was a chance meeting b/c I saw him at the expo just as he was walking out I just said 'what's up Dan?' and he kinda nodded and waved at me. Later at the event I was going to the concession stand between fights for drinks and I see Dan Hardy walking toward me so I just kinda throw my arms up and say 'look at this guy' he laughs and compliments me on my Evil dead shirt and takes a quick pic and we both go on our way.

I crossed paths w/ Bang a couple times.. No one knee who he was. This was before he started training the guys at alpha male so he was just walking around unnoticed. Super nice guy. When I saw him he was on his phone so I just waited around for him to finish his conversation and approach him for a quick pic and he just disappeared in the sea of people. Same thing w/ Tony Fryklund.

Didn't meet Jon Jones but got close enough to say 'Hey Bones' he looked at me and I go to take his picture and he kinda mean mugs for the camera and is swarmed by fans a few minutes later. For as nice as he is he catches so much shit. He was supposed to be in one area from like 11-1 or something, he ended up signing and taking pics for easily 30 minutes after. He even did a group selfie kinda picture w/ like 50-75 people. He seemed really nice.

Another fighter that was going unnoticed was Jens Pulvern my brother was getting drinks and called me and told me Jens was at the concession stands. I ran over and when I got there Jens was just chilling. I approached him, asked for a pic chatted w/ him for a few seconds and when I was walking back down to the arena someone asked me 'who is that' to which I replied 'Jens Pulver, first UFC LW champ'.

Can't remember ant other ones off the top of my head.

[Jimmy_G]

Awesome story bro, loved that. Although in all my experience, Ross Pearson has been the most ignorant fighter I've ever come across. I've seen him just blatantly ignore fans on numerous occasions. Which is a shame, as Ross lives very close to me.

[TheImmortalStocktonSlap]

tefoak - I met Mike Goldberg at a Fight Night in Austin. It was after the show and people were going down near the cage to see the fighters up close and security started telling everyone to clear out and Goldberg just told them 'no, it's cool' and proceeded to chat w/ fans and take pics. Really cool, down to earth guy. Completely changed my opinion about him.

Went to UFC 136 and met a handful of fighters. By far the nicest and outgoing were Ryan Bader, Ross Pearson and Mark Munoz. Was walking to the concession stand and on my way up the stairs I sae Ross Pearson and I just said 'hey what's up Ross?' and he got up out of his seat to shake my hand. Munoz was just super outgoing w/ all the fans around him. Bader was just really nice, all in all really nice, cool people.

Only fighters that I came across that were rude: Brandon Vera, Frank Mir and Ben Askren. Vera was being approached by several fans and allI heard him say was 'not now' and 'later'. Just seemed generally unhappy to interact w/ fans. I didn't meet Mir only saw his interaction w/ fans. My friend's chick waited in line to meet him and she had those 'hulk smash' UFC gloves. She gave one to Frank and she used the other one fir a face off type photo but Frank just held the glove w/ his thumb and index finger and had a 'hurry up and get your picture' look on his face. Ben Askren was prolly the funniest though. After the show we were exiting the venue and happened to walk past Askren, I'm not a fan of his so I don't approach him I just turn to my brother and say 'check it out Ben Askren' and the people next to me overheard and walked towards him and as they approach him he literally starts running away. Kind of a dickhead thing to do but still kinda funny.

I think my favorite moment was meeting Don Frye. He's like the Bill Murray of the MMA world, I don't think anyone that's met him walks away w/ a bad story. First thing he said to me was 'how ya doin partner' he is a lot bigger than I expected and his hand is fucking huge! Would not wanna get hit by him.

My funniest story is when I met Pat Barry. First time was at the expo, waited about 20 minutes and I asked him if we could face off and he smiled and and said yeah. So it's worth mentioning at this point he is all smiles... Until I put my hands up and at first he had his hands up in fight stance only to put them down, lose the smile, get right in my face and starts gritting his teeth or something, his jaw was clenched up and he was inches from my face and I have to admit I got kinda scared. I was thinking 'oh shit, he got mad b/c I put my hands up in a fighting stance' camera flashed and he loses the mean mug flashes me a big smile says 'thank you' and pats me on my back. I kinda stood there for a second said thank you, shook his hand and left. Ran into him later and someone asked Pat if they can hold their baby and just walked off Pat was just there a 'wtf' look on his face. They came back after a few seconds later and snapped his pic and took the baby, as I walked by he was kinda squinting and I said 'you alright' and he said 'that was the brightest flash I've ever seen' and just laughed it off.

Ah, how could I forget Mayhem. Guy was crazy! He was being escorted to his booth by security and he bolted and ran into the crowd yelling and jumping around. I didn't get to meet him just got close enough to call him out to which he turned around and yelled 'what?!' and started shaking his head or something, couldn't really tell what he was trying to do.

Most popular fighter I met was Chuck Liddell. Saw him at the expo and waited a good 2-3 hours to meet him but when I did it was worth it. I did a face off w/ Chuck and I'm kinda short so when we pose for the picture he kinds hunches over so we're kinda on the same level, which made for a better picture.

Also met Dan Hardy. This one was a chance meeting b/c I saw him at the expo just as he was walking out I just said 'what's up Dan?' and he kinda nodded and waved at me. Later at the event I was going to the concession stand between fights for drinks and I see Dan Hardy walking toward me so I just kinda throw my arms up and say 'look at this guy' he laughs and compliments me on my Evil dead shirt and takes a quick pic and we both go on our way.

I crossed paths w/ Bang a couple times.. No one knee who he was. This was before he started training the guys at alpha male so he was just walking around unnoticed. Super nice guy. When I saw him he was on his phone so I just waited around for him to finish his conversation and approach him for a quick pic and he just disappeared in the sea of people. Same thing w/ Tony Fryklund.

Didn't meet Jon Jones but got close enough to say 'Hey Bones' he looked at me and I go to take his picture and he kinda mean mugs for the camera and is swarmed by fans a few minutes later. For as nice as he is he catches so much shit. He was supposed to be in one area from like 11-1 or something, he ended up signing and taking pics for easily 30 minutes after. He even did a group selfie kinda picture w/ like 50-75 people. He seemed really nice.

Another fighter that was going unnoticed was Jens Pulvern my brother was getting drinks and called me and told me Jens was at the concession stands. I ran over and when I got there Jens was just chilling. I approached him, asked for a pic chatted w/ him for a few seconds and when I was walking back down to the arena someone asked me 'who is that' to which I replied 'Jens Pulver, first UFC LW champ'.

Can't remember ant other ones off the top of my head.

VU

[Rickmassmma]

I think I voted one of you down by accident on my iPad...sorry homie

[comeonman1]

Jimmy G - 

I must admit, I do enjoy reading peoples stories of when they met an MMA Fighter; how it went down, if illusions were shattered or the polar opposite. I've been very fortunate over the years to have been able to 'shoot the shit' with these unique breed of human beings. Most have been great crack, some, not so much. Then the odd bellend, that puts you off them for life....

I will kick it off with our old favourite, The Crippler....

Copy and pasted from another thread....

Just a quick little recap of the weekend. My girlfriend has been an MMA fan for the last 4 years, pretty much since we met. She never misses a UFC card and always watches the Countdown shows and Post Fight Press Conferences with me. She loves it. Chris Leben is also her favourite fighter, by a long way. I've always been a fan of Chris, no matter what anybody says, I just love what he brings. 

 

As soon as the card was announced I booked us tickets to the Hilton, and also set that weekend aside to propose to my girlfriend. 

 

She knew nothing about the proposal, and that was set to happen on the Friday night at the Hilton. I had hoped that maybe she could get to meet Chris, maybe at some after-fight party. Or that at least was the plan.

 

The Friday night proposal went perfectly. I blagged a room upgrade, and also free Champagne for our meal. 

 

After the fight on Saturday we headed back to the Hilton. We stayed in our room for a while before heading downstairs. Now I'm not one for autographs or photo's, to be honest, my days of being starstruck are a long time passed. 10 year ago, I got to meet my idol in the British boxer, Ricky Hatton. I wrote an article on that chance meeting, Rick read it, and asked me to be his sports writer for his website, which I also ran. 

 

During the years myself and Rick became very good friends, I also attended every fight with him, covering and reporting, and was also part of his dressing room team. I was very fortunate to meet many of my boxing idols, from Oscar, Floyd, Manny, Sugar Ray, Hagler, Shane, etc etc. Also many of the English Premier League footballers, including the likes of Wayne Rooney et al. 

 

As we headed into the bar I spotted Buffer, so the missis grabbed a photo with him. Next up was Goldie, who was also only too happy to oblige. About an hour later we spotted Chris outside with his new fiance. My fiance ran out to grab a photo with Chris, who was only to happy. She then asked for a photo of Chris and his fiance, they both obliged. 

 

Chris's fiancé, Kaleena then told my fiance, Lindsay, how that was the first time anybody had ever asked her for a photo with Chris, as she is normally always on the outside of everything. 

 

Then basically, Lindsay and Kaleena hit it off big-time. Which left me chatting to Chris. I thanked him for taking the time as Lindsay was a huge fan and also advised him that we had got engaged at this event, with his appearance on the card being the deciding decision. He loved that. 

 

Then, we spent the whole night with Chris, Kaleena and a guy called Robbie, and Chris's best mate from Oregan. After a few hours in the bar, Chris invited myself and Lindsay up to his penthouse suite for Champagne and food. 

 

We stayed well into the early hours. Before we left, Chris thanked us for coming, and gave Lindsay 2 signed T-Shirts and a huge personal signed poster with details of how to keep in touch him both himself and Kaleena.

 

What an amazing guy. After watching Chris right from Season 1 of TUF, I felt like I already knew him, and to be honest, he is the most down to earth guy I have ever met. 

 

He is so funny, generous, caring, it was an absolute pleasure. I've met and conversed with alot of so-called stars, and although everyone was polite and genuine, I always felt part of that was a front. With Chris, it was anything but. He made us feel so comfortable, it was like he'd known us both for many a year. What an amazing gentleman Mr Leben is, truly. 

 

As far as weekend's go, it couldnt have got any better than that. 

 

P.S. 

 

 

We got talking about the Wanderlei fight, and he asked me what I thought, so I told him. It was a nightmare for me, as I didnt want to see any of them lose. Wandy is my all-time idol, which he obviously could relate to, but also said exactly how I felt. 

 

I told him that I just wanted to see a great fight, and as cliche as it may sound, the best man win. I couldnt really choose. He laughed, and said you were happy then ? I said 'was I fuck!! ' it was hardly a great fight, you just smashed him. At which he laughed and gave me a bowl of his pasta he'd made in his teapot. 

 

 

 

Hands down the best story I have ever heard about meeting a fighter. Leban sounds like a great guy which doesn't surprise me at all. Voted up!

[Jimmy_G]

I remember the Hatton v Mayweather Press Conference in Manchester, and Floyd was being swarmed by fans. Now personally, I would have expected Floyd to be pretty much in and out, but that so wasn't the case. The queue to shake Mayweather's hand and grab a photo was ridiculous. I figured that there was no way he would stay to get through all the eagerly awaiting fans. I was so very wrong.

I remember one of the TV crew from Setanta or Sky Sports, urging Floyd to come with them to conclude an interview. Floyd was having none of it, and basically told the crew member to go away, and he will come after he'd signed all the autographs for the fans.

 

The TV crew member, a women, then returned 10 minutes later and said "Floyd, you have to come now!!".

Floyd replied " Did you not hear me the first time ?!"

And off she scurried again. She returned again 20 minutes later, urging Mayweather to come with her. Once again, he told her to beat it.

Finally, after he'd signed every autograph and posed for every single fan, he left to conclude his TV commitments.

I just thought to myself, what a guy, so humble, so classy and the exact opposite of the Prima Donna type heel he projects on camera.

What a guy, what a fighter, and the polar opposite to what I'd expected.  

[Jimmy_G]

I think I upset Bisping in Manchester when I told him that his eye injury had cost me $160.

He said " How come? " 

I replied " Because I had to buy this Machida Hoodie, as he was no longer on the card against Munoz..!!"

Mike replied " £100 ? What about my fucking eye pal ?!" 

To be fair, he had a point....

Anyway, I love Lyoto, and after just being discharged from hospital a day before, after having a ruptured appendix removed, I was told by the Dr to rest for a week. 

That wasn't happening, so I went to Manchester and partied like a Rockstar. Boy did I pay for it the following week. 

Anyway, after blagging my way into the After-Fight Party, as I always do, I got a tap on my shoulder. It was only Machida. He had spotted my hoodie, loved it, and hugged me, thanked me, and jumped in for a photo. Which was nice. 

We spent a while talking to Rener and Roger Gracie, and also Melvin Guillard; who was on a mission to find the local strip joint. Matt Sera was there, top guy he was, as were everyone we met. 

 

[BRZ]

Digging the Machida scarf