The full contact combat sport of mixed martial arts, or MMA, taps into something primal within the human psyche. From the ancient Greek Olympics to the modern American UFC, no rules (or at least “few rules”) unarmed combat has fascinated us as a people. We can’t help but wonder: who will win? The wrestler or the boxer? the jiu-jitsu artist or the muay Thai fighter? These questions nag at the corners of our mind, refusing to let the true fan work without knowing the answers. Fortunately, with the advent of modern technology, fans of MMA have more ways than ever to view their beloved sport.
The Traditional Method
The most common method for viewing MMA is on a cable pay-per-view channel. In the not so distant past, this way the only method and it does have some advantages. For example, the comfort of being in your own home, on your couch, eating your own Cheetos and drinking your own beer. However, this method does need cable, and, to be enjoyed fully, requires a nice home theater set system.
Mixed Martial Arts Takedown Attempt (Photo credit: fightlaunch)
Web Streaming
As computers have gotten more advanced, more and more MMA has become available through the Web. YouTube is a great source of free all out mayhem…as long as you are OK with watching only 9 minutes at a time (at most). However, there are also many other sites that may be found with a simple Google search. Spike TV, for example, has full episodes of MMA available, although it does have commercial interruptions.
Smart Phones
While most smart phones don’t have flash player yet (which means that they cannot play traditional Web streaming content), there are several apps that let you watch MMA on the go. For example, according to MMA forums, the app FilmOnTV gives you access to your favorite fights on the go. However, when streaming video to your phone, it’s important to have as fast a connection as possible, otherwise you will end up waiting a frustratingly long time for your video to buffer. To this end, check out T-mobile 4G phones, as they have the fastest connection. Also, unlike the other methods, all you need to enjoy MMA on the go is a smart phone, which you can get from t-mobile free when you sign up for a contract with them. What’s even better is that many of these free phones have 4g!
Mobile Games
Similarly, for those of you who want more than to simply watch the fun, there are several great MMA mobile games for both iPhones and droids. For example, Trilite Studios has an app that allows you to train your avatar from an average joe in the gym to a veritable wrecking ball of MMA fury. These games allow you to take part in the sport you love!
As a species, it seems we will never stop asking the eternal question, “who would win?” Fortunately, between streaming your favorite fights and watching them on your phone, you can always find the answer.
