UFC in Nashville

Posted by mkowal in Featured Articles, Marcus' Life, MMA Training on Jan 20th, 2012 | no responses
Nashville might have been founded on Christmas Eve of 1779 but it turned into Smashville tonight, when UFC (UFC on FX: Melvin Guillard vs Jim Miller) returned to Music City. Since teaming up with StudioMMA and MMANytt, I’ve traveled more than ever and it’s fun to get to see some of the U.S. Nashville, Tennessee is definitely a city with a lot of charisma and I’m glad to have had a chance to visit. Nashville truly is the City of Music, being the home of “King of Country” (Roy Acuff); “Mr Guitar” (Chet Atkins); everyone’s favourite Dolly Parton; and the “Father of Bluegrass Music” (Bill Monroe).

However, I’m all contried out. I can’t do it anymore! People are friendly and it’s great energy but I’m done with Broadway with all the bars being the same: live bands; music so loud you can’t speak; and country. And coooooold! I didn’t even bring a jacket with me down here. Why? Cause “Nashville, Tennessee” sounds warm! But it’s not. It’s freezing down here!

This UFC was personal for me; we had Kamal Shalaros, who’s sparring partner I’ve been for the past 2-3 months, trying to simulate Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s fight style to help prepare Kamal. However, tonight wasn’t Kamal‘s night but he fought like a warrior. Another friend and training partner is Jared Papazian, who made his UFC debut and man, what a fight he fought! The decision didn’t go his way but in my opinion, that was the fight of the night. The crowd was on it’s feet as Jared and Mike Easton banged it out over 3 rounds.

I’m supposed to be neutral when I’m working here with StudioMMA and MMANytt but it’s hard to stay calm, watching the fights; I get so damn nervous when friends of mine fight – much more nervous than when I fight myself.

Back to Vegas tomorrow for a night of awards (more about that later) and then back to LA again Sunday!

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