Never underestimate the power of a man in his underwear.
Most people may not see the big deal, but 4,000 Ultimate Fighting Championship fans were going ga-ga Friday as the contestants of UFC 115 in Vancouver stripped down to their boxers and weighed themselves the day before the big event at GM Place.
“That’s why I’m here!” said Rebecca Wayne, salivating at the thought of seeing her favourite, ripped fighters on display.
Wayne may have been in the gender minority at GM Place, but she was as hardcore a fan as anyone who devoted their Friday to a glorified visit to the scale.
“I’m here for Chuck [Liddell], he’s looks better than he’s ever looked and he’s shaped up. I think he can take it,” said Wayne, proving she’s more than just someone who was dragged to the public event by her male friends.
“I think it’s a real athlete’s sport,” she said. “When you look at The Ultimate Fighter show and you look at their training, they go through a lot of work that Olympic athletes go through.”
So Wayne appreciates the eye candy, but what does a male fan get out of pre-fight weigh-ins?
“It’s the excitement of see the two guys that are going to be [at the main event],” said Eddie Garcia. “The fight has been hyped up and you’ve seen the training leading up to the fight and now you get to see them face off with each other for the first time.”
For many fans, it was their first chance to see their heroes in person.
Serham grew up in a small town in the B.C. Interior and hasn’t had a chance to see any UFC fighters until they touched down in Vancouver, despite being a fan of the sport since 1991.
“I got a chance to get a couple autographs, I’ve met Gray Maynard, Jon Fitch and Dan Hardy so that was really cool,” he said. “I feel like a groupie but I’m really stoked.”
Never underestimate the power of a man in his underwear.
Most people may not see the big deal, but 4,000 Ultimate Fighting Championship fans were going ga-ga Friday as the contestants of UFC 115 in Vancouver stripped down to their boxers and weighed themselves the day before the big event at GM Place.
“That’s why I’m here!” said Rebecca Wayne, salivating at the thought of seeing her favourite, ripped fighters on display.
Wayne may have been in the gender minority at GM Place, but she was as hardcore a fan as anyone who devoted their Friday to a glorified visit to the scale.
“I’m here for Chuck [Liddell], he’s looks better than he’s ever looked and he’s shaped up. I think he can take it,” said Wayne, proving she’s more than just someone who was dragged to the public event by her male friends.
“I think it’s a real athlete’s sport,” she said. “When you look at The Ultimate Fighter show and you look at their training, they go through a lot of work that Olympic athletes go through.”
So Wayne appreciates the eye candy, but what does a male fan get out of pre-fight weigh-ins?
“It’s the excitement of see the two guys that are going to be [at the main event],” said Eddie Garcia. “The fight has been hyped up and you’ve seen the training leading up to the fight and now you get to see them face off with each other for the first time.”
For many fans, it was their first chance to see their heroes in person.
Serham grew up in a small town in the B.C. Interior and hasn’t had a chance to see any UFC fighters until they touched down in Vancouver, despite being a fan of the sport since 1991.
“I got a chance to get a couple autographs, I’ve met Gray Maynard, Jon Fitch and Dan Hardy so that was really cool,” he said. “I feel like a groupie but I’m really stoked.”
