The winner is...

Brrriiiaaaannnnn Moooeellllll!!!!!!!! (announcer's voice here)

WHOO HOO!!!!! YEAH!!!!! (this is me cheering)

As my loyal blog readers know, Brian won his first MMA fight on Saturday night. I wasn't keen on going because I am literally sickened when I see violence, but I have to admit I was into his fight. I was hootin' and hollerin' and cheerin' and I was almost brought to tears to watch Brian win. It was an amazing adrenaline rush and I am so glad I got to be a part of something so HUGE for Brian.

I really didn't understand what I was watching. It didn't look good for Brian from where I was standing, but I yelled and cheered for him anyway along with everyone else. When the match was called (did the other guy tap out????), I didn't even know who the winner was, but everyone who was there to support Brian was cheering, so I cheered too.

Brian even had a theme song that played as he walked toward the ring.

He was surrounded by his men from his gym.

He got a pep talk from his "coach" before entering the ring.

I wasn't very fond of this girl...

Talking to Lance in the corner (I think it was Lance...)

Here's the first move. The other guy sucker punched Brian. He was supposed to come out and tap Brian's glove as a sign of sportsman-like conduct, but he only acted like he was going to tap his glove. Instead of tapping him, he punched Brian right in the eye. Jerk.

Some of the different positions I saw... like I said, I don't know what was going on... ;-)

I believe this last picture was the end of the fight. I'm not sure if the other guy tapped out or not (I think he did), but I thought Brian was losing because he was on bottom (those are Brian's legs around that guy's neck if you can't tell what's going on). Apparently, Brian is chocking his opponent with his legs. Ouch.

Brian's opponent's first moved foreshadowed his poor sportsman-like conduct because when the fight was over, and Brian was the winner, he didn't stay to have Brian's hand raised above his head. Instead, he walked out of the ring, and off to the "locker room." I actually felt really bad for him. It was his first fight too, and it was clearly visible that he was very upset that he lost. In fact, he was crying in the back afterward. Sometimes that's what I hate about contests--there always has to be a loser. Don't get me wrong; I'm glad that Brian wasn't the loser, but that other guy has trained just like Brian and wanted to win just like Brian, but he didn't. I was kinda sad for him.

After the fight, we checked into Quality Inn and then headed to a small local pub within walking distance where we hung out 'till closing time. I really enjoyed my time (minus a few bumps along the way ;-)). I really needed the break from the daily grind at home, and I was sooooo craving one-on-one time with Ray. I was also looking forward to chillin' with my siblings (and my MMA fighter brother-in-law).

The most refreshing part of the whole night, was just being with Ray. No kids. No basement. Just us. I just needed that one night to feel content again, to feel rejuvenated, and now I can go back to work feeling a bit more refreshed and I just might go see another one of Brian's fights. Who knows, maybe I'll become a groupie!! ;-)