Fans of MMA are a diverse group of individuals. However, many of the fans of the sport fall into one or more categories that describe their view of the sport. The following analysis will describe the different categories and try to explain their motivations.
The Haters
The Haters are among the most easily recognized group of fans. They are adamant in their views and cannot be reasoned with. They can hate both fighters and organizations. When encountered on forums, they are often seen calling those they disagree with by some very unflattering names. If you dare disagree with them, they will often call you a “fanboy” (see below) of the subject of their hate.
They also tend to type in all capital letters, which is the equivalent of screaming on the internet. They are the epitome of the “keyboard warrior” as they hide behind their anonymity and have no fear of retribution from those they spew their hate against. If by chance you meet a Hater in person, you should be careful as this sort of fan would be the most likely to become “unhinged”.
The Fanboys
Fanboys are the polar opposites of haters. They like to use similar tactics to the Haters and can be Fanboys of either a fighter or an organization. Likewise, if you disagree with a Fanboy, they will often label you as a Hater. They differ from the Haters in that they can actually support their view with facts. Probably the largest group of Fanboys are the Fedor Fanboys. While Fanboys are normally harmless, never let a Fedor Fanboy come face-to-face with a Fedor Hater.
The Lay-N-Pray Complainers
There is a group of fans that like to complain about fighters that take the fight to the mat and are unable quickly finish their opponent. This is called lay-n-pray (LNP) since the fighter is accused of laying on his opponent and praying that he will get the decision. These are usually the fans you hear booing in the arena once the fight goes to the ground and remains there for more than a few seconds.
The fighter on the bottom that is doing a good job of keeping from being submitted or pounded out gets none of the credit for a job well done. Instead, they like to blame the guy on top for not being able to finish from the dominant position.
There are many times they have a valid complaint for a fighter using a LNP tactic. However, they often accuse a fighter of LNP even though the fighter is constantly working for submissions and mixing in some ground-n-pound (see Georges St-Pierre). This is mainly due to these fans having a lack of appreciation for a fighter’s ground game or appreciation of the opponent’s defence from their back.
The “True” MMA Fan
The “True MMA Fan” generally consists of fans that don’t fall into any of the above categories. They don’t hate fighters and they’re not fanboys since they admire anyone that’s willing to put it all on the line and step into the cage. They don’t complain when a fight goes to the ground since they appreciate all aspects of Mixed Martial Arts.
On MMA forums one of the biggest insults you can give is, “you’re not a true MMA fan”. I’m sure all the fans from any of the categories above consider themselves as True MMA Fans. However, in my opinion, if you fall into any of the categories above, you’re not a True MMA Fan.
There are probably other categories of MMA fans not mentioned here but these are the major ones you see if you frequent MMA forums. Now you can identify who they are and who you are. Here’s to hoping you’re True MMA Fan.
