My friend picked me up, and after taking a few wrong turns, we got to the Murat at noon. The doors didn't open until 12:30PM, so we walked to Starbucks to get her a drink while we waited. Goodness, it was HOT! I was in the sun for 30 seconds and I could feel my skin burning. We walked back, waited in line for a few minutes, then made our way down to room where the shindig was being held. I was surprised there weren't more people there considering it was free, but everyone who came out was really nice. It was cool meeting some other MMA fans. They had the stage and the press section roped off, but we were still very close to everything. They ended up moving us back a little, but we were still very near the podium.
They started a little late. A guy from Conseco and someone from the IN Athletic Commission spoke a bit about bring the UFC to Indy, how it's good for the city, and what a great sport MMA is. They gave UFC president, Dana White, a Pacers jersey, then Dana got things rolling. He went over the card, how excited he was to be in Indy and all that, then opened it up to questions from the media. You can watch it all here: http://www.ufc.com/media/119-pre-presser-archive. Some of the questions were kinda dumb, most likely coming from local reporters who weren't familiar with MMA, but everyone was respectful. If I were Dana or the fighers, I'm not sure I'd have been as diplomatic with my answers to those stupid questions, but that's why they're pros and I'm a fan (one reason, anyway :D). There were some funny moments: Matt Mitrione, a fighter based here, and a former Purude football player, and a training partner of Chris Lytle, asked if Lytle would be on call to put out any potential fires at Conseco (he's a full time firefighter as well as a cagefighter). That whole bit was hilarious as they brought in Lytle's opponent, Matt Serra to help Lytle out with the potential situation. Then Dana made fun of Serra's height (5'6"), saying that he was too short, but could maybe use a ladder. None of the serious answers really surprised me. All the fighters were focused on their current opponents, confident in their skills, respectful of the other's skills, and all that, but it was far from boring. Unfortunately, my friend had to leave to go to work and missed some stuff, but I'm glad she came for as long as she was able.
The Q&A didn't last too long, then the fighters had some brief stare downs. All but CroCop stayed around and signed autographs. I got Lytle, Ryan Bader, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Frank Mir, Serra, Mitrione, and Dana to sign for me. I just brought some blank printer paper, and not as much as I thought. It worked out, though. I gave a half-assed effort to play the tumor sympathy card with Dana to maybe get some tickets, but there were people behind me, and my heart wasn't completely into it. He and all of the fighters were all very fan friendly and super nice, taking pictures, shaking hands, and chit-chatting. More about what went on, along with some pics and vids can be found here: http://navitabjj.blogspot.com/2010/09/ufc-press-conference-pics-and-video.html. I also got to talk to MMA reporter extraordinare, Ariel Helwani, who was really cool. He was wearing a suit, along with some really bright, multicolored Nikes. Stylish ;). It sucked that I didn't have a camera, but it was still pretty awesome to at least chat a bit and to get their autographs:
It was a really good time, but rather hard on me. I didn't sleep much or well, plus the activity of walking a bit in the heat, then standing for a couple of hours took their toll. After I got Dana's autograph, I sat down for a minute. Then I fell out of the chair, woozy. Dana's assistant/body guard/handler was kind enough to help me back into the chair. I figured I'd sit there for a few minutes, then I'd be able to make my way back upstairs and call my ride. I ended up feeling worse, almost falling out of the chair again several times. After a half hour or so, and when the room was almost completely cleaned up, I had a guy call for help. Everyone was really nice about lending me a hand. A supervisor came down to see what was going on, then had the Murat paramedics come down with a wheelchair. I had to be helped into that. They wheeled me upstairs to the exit and put me on a couch. I called my ride and waited. Not long after, he arrived, they wheeled me to the car, then I made it home. While holding onto my dad, I was able to walk into the house. I sat down for awhile before finally being able to pee. I was holding it for quite awhile, REALLY not wanting to have to get help with that in public. I felt a little better, ate, rested some, and caught up on stuff online. My nephew came over, and I hung out with him, had some dinner, and then ended back up here.
It wasn't very pleasant being that helpless without anyone I knew around to help. Aside from once at the hospital after an X-ray, I'd never been that bad off in public before. Everyone at the Murat was great, but it was extremely frustrating and a tad embarrassing having a guy pick me up off the floor, then another guy picking me up and setting me down in a wheelchair and pushing me around. That's how it goes, I guess. At least it's from actually doing something fun this time, and not just a random bad day. It sucks a little less knowing that I at least had a good time before it all turned to shit.
I'm really hoping to go to bed early-ish tonight. The weigh ins are tomorrow (Friday) at Conseco, and I really want to go to that, too. It's a big deal that the UFC came to town, and it won't happen again for awhile, probably not for another year, at minimum. And since I can't attend the fights (a MAJOR bummer), I want to soak in as much of the activities leading up to the fights as I can. I wish (more than usual) that I were more able-bodied to be downtown to try to meet the fighters and other fans. Too, Dana White will be tweeting where to find some tickets (and maybe other prizes) around town. Follow him, @danawhite, and if you win, hook a brotha up! I'm a pale brotha, but a brotha :P.
I made a reservation at Buffalo Wings and Rings (111 W. Maryland St., next to Steak 'n Shake) for 6 people at 8PM under my name for Saturday night to watch the fights (lots of prepositions there...whoa). The prelims start at 9PM on SPIKE TV, then the PPV from 10PM to 1AM. Apparently, Chris Lytle's after party will be there, too, and the TAPOUT crew will be around in the afternoon. It's going to be hoppin'! If anyone else wants to watch the fights with me, hit me up and I'll add to the reservation. I'll be leaving my house shortly after the ND/Stanford game ends. If I had the money, I'd just go catch the game there, too, and stick around for the fights. It'll still be a good time hanging out, though.
Anyone who wants to go to the weigh ins with me, let me know. I should on get there around noon. And if you want to join us to watch the fights, hit me up, too. C'mon, you know you want to! :)
Let's get it on!
-B
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