If you’ve ever found yourself at a bar watching a UFC fight night or attending a live MMA event with friends, you’ve probably noticed that MMA fans come in all shapes and sizes. Some are laid-back and enjoyable to hang around, while others can be downright annoying. After watching a recent UFC card with a buddy, we couldn’t help but point out the range of personalities around us. The conversation inspired me to put together this article highlighting the nine types of MMA fans you’ll run into in real life.
Whether you’re someone who actively trains in MMA or a martial artist in a specific discipline like BJJ, Muay Thai, or wrestling, you’ve probably had a few laughs (or groans) talking about these fan types. Let’s dive into the characters you’ll inevitably meet during fight night.
1. The Know-It-All
First up is the infamous “Know-It-All.” You’ll spot them easily because they love to loudly proclaim what a fighter should be doing. The kicker? They likely have zero real training experience.
“The fighter needs to throw more leg kicks!” “Why isn’t he just going for the submission?” “He should just stand up!”
Most of the time, their advice is completely off-base and lacks any understanding of the actual complexities inside the cage. It’s frustrating, but also pretty hilarious if you can tune them out and just enjoy the entertainment.
2. The Meathead
The “Meathead” is another fan favorite (and by favorite, we mean headache). This person is loud, aggressive, and thinks every fight should devolve into a chaotic street brawl.
You’ll hear things like:
- “Rush him!”
- “Throw bombs!”
- “Ground and pound him till he quits!”
These fans usually have no clue about fight strategy, technique, or the importance of patience and timing in a professional fight. To them, MMA is just an extension of bar fights and street scraps. While they bring energy to the room, it’s often the kind that makes you want to find a quieter corner.
3. The Martial Artist
The Martial Artist is the calm observer. They’re likely a practitioner of MMA or a related discipline and view the fight as a chess match, not just a slugfest.
They won’t heckle or scream at the TV. Instead, they watch quietly, studying technique, footwork, and fight IQ. They respect both fighters, regardless of who wins, and rarely criticize fighters unless it’s constructive. If you’re looking for insightful conversation during an event, these are the people you want to sit next to.
4. The Professionals
These are the fans who are active or former MMA competitors themselves. Like the Martial Artists, they bring deep knowledge, but with added experience from stepping inside the cage.
The Professionals are cool, calm, and collected, but they might also explain what’s happening mid-fight. Their analysis is based on firsthand experience, which makes their commentary valuable and insightful. They’re the ones who might say, “Yeah, I’ve been caught in that same submission before” or “I’ve trained with someone who fights like that guy.” They bring depth to the experience without coming off as arrogant.
5. The Normal Fan
The Normal Fan is your everyday fight enthusiast. They don’t train but genuinely enjoy MMA for what it is. They’re respectful, laid-back, and often eager to learn more about the sport.
They might know some basic terms like “armbar” or “takedown,” and while they’re not breaking down striking angles, they know enough to enjoy the action without sounding clueless. They’re open to listening to the Martial Artist or Professional in the room, and you’ll often hear them say, “Wow, I never thought of it like that!” when someone shares some behind-the-scenes insights.
6. The Obsessive One
The Obsessive fan takes their love for MMA to another level. This person knows every organization – not just the UFC, but also Bellator, PFL, One Championship, and even smaller regional promotions.
They don’t just know the big-name fighters; they know up-and-comers, legends from PRIDE, and competitors from obscure fight cards you’ve never heard of. If you mention a name like Shavkat Rakhmonov or Roberto Soldić, they’ll have a detailed take on their fight history and prospects. If you want to nerd out on MMA history or matchmaking, these fans are encyclopedias.
7. The Main Fighter Fans
These folks only show up for the headliners. They don’t care about prelims or undercards and often stroll into the venue or bar just before the main event starts.
Their knowledge is often limited to household names like Jon Jones, Israel Adesanya, or whoever is currently trending. They’re loyal to the stars, but don’t expect them to know the promising bantamweight on the early prelims or the featherweight prospect climbing the ranks. For them, it’s about the spectacle, not the grind.
8. The McGregor Fans
Yes, you knew this one was coming. McGregor fans have become their own species at this point.
You’ll find cool ones who simply enjoy watching Conor and appreciate his talent. Then there are the funny ones, who will quote every famous Conor line—“You’ll do nuttin’!” or “Who the fook is that guy?”—for the hundredth time.
Unfortunately, there’s also the obnoxious variety. These are the folks who might get too rowdy, act like every punch Conor lands is the greatest moment in sports history, and generally test your patience. But love him or hate him, McGregor’s fanbase always makes fight night… interesting.
9. The Old School Fans
The Old School fans are loyal to the legends who paved the way. Their heroes include Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Royce Gracie, to name a few.
They’ll reminisce about the “good old days” of PRIDE or the early UFC eras. While they still watch modern events, you’ll catch them comparing current fighters to past greats, sometimes lamenting how “the sport just isn’t the same anymore.” Still, their respect for MMA history adds depth to conversations, and they bring a nostalgic vibe to the room.
Conclusion
When you go out to a live UFC pay-per-view or any MMA event, expect to run into a mix of these nine fan types. Some will enhance your experience, while others might test your patience. Regardless, each fan type gives you insight into how people view and enjoy the sport of MMA.
At the end of the day, whether you’re sharing the space with a Know-It-All or a Professional, it’s all part of what makes the MMA community such a colorful and passionate crowd. Just remember to enjoy the fights and maybe laugh a little at the wild characters around you.
