Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Liveblog: Strikeforce Fan Experience in Manhattan

MMA Journalist is here at the Strikeforce Fan Experience in Midtown Manhattan, where a pretty sizeable crowd has gathered to pay witness to eight of the world's best heavyweight fighters. There's autographs being signed, t-shirts being tossed, and schwag galore floating about like currency in a mad Middle Eastern market. In short, it's pretty awesome. And if the fan presence is of any indication, Saturday night's event is going to be well-received and massive.

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Scenes from a "Legalize MMA in New York" Rally

As the preceding pics indicate, the rally for the "legalization of MMA in New York" has gotten underway in downtown Manhattan.  In the brief time MMA Journalist was there, there were no signs being waved, nor pitchforks nor flaming torches - but there was definitely a steadily-growing crowd of people.  From organizer Sambo Steve to insider Paula Romero to a pair of UCL veterans to photographer Anil Melwani to female fighter Tara LaRosa, the cross-section of proponents seemed pretty broad.  Frank Shamrock was even there, who, along with LaRosa, was scheduled to be a guest speaker.  Said veteran journalist Josh Gross of ESPN in regards to the climate: "I bought this beanie because I was cold, but now I'm hot." 

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