UFC Brings Tour to Columbia, Area Fight Fans

Outside the Dick's Sporting Goods store sat a huge UFC truck. Inside the truck was what brought out fight fans Tuesday afternoon—the treat of checking out the mobile UFC experience.  

Columbia was one stop on the Ultimate Fighting Championship's ‘Octagon Nation Tour,’ which is bringing that experience to fans around the country. 

The UFC has grown to be the largest mixed martial arts promotion in the world over the past 18 years. This nationwide tour, named for the Octagon, or eight-sided cage where the fights occur, brings classic memorabilia, plus fighters and tapes of famous fights right to the fan.

For some fans, like Chris Bjoro of Glenelg, it is their first chance to experience the UFC in person and not just watch on television.

“It was a great experience. Definitely really cool,” Bjoro said. “On top of it, we got to meet an actual fighter. These guys actually fight and take the time to come out here and show you what’s up.”

Bjoro said he and his friends, Adam LaPreze and Josh Karlin, had come to shop at Dick's.   

But Bjoro had to see what the truck had brought.  

“I am a huge fan of not only just UFC ... but I am a huge mixed martial arts fan,” he said.  

Even Karlin, who does not follow the UFC, could appreciate the memorabilia on display.

To “see the belt and all the other stuff, seeing the famous stuff was cool,” Karlin said.

Mackens Semerzier, a fighter nicknamed Da Menace, signed autographs and chatted with fans Tuesday. He also demonstrated the new Xbox Kinect UFC Trainer Experience game, which comes out next week.

Promoter Tony Chiuchiolo explained that the game allows Xbox Kinect players to actually kick and punch while training with the UFC fighters they know and love. “It’s pretty cool,” he said. “You get to spar with the heavyweight champion.”

The giant UFC truck attracted more than just Dick's customers, but also passersby. Hugo Gomez of Elkridge said he was driving by when the truck caught his eye. He and his adult son, Tony, and granddaughter Kieryn, hesitated at first but went inside.

Tony said he liked what he saw and was glad he could show it to his two-year-old daughter. “She’s like a little tomboy herself, so she enjoys any sports, especially contact sports,” he said. She’s already into lacrosse and football, he said.

Hugo cannot get enough of the UFC. This was his first time experiencing it in person.  

“I like ‘em, it’s amazing,” he said. “Man, It’s like physical warfare! It’s amazing. It’s tough. You gotta be in great condition, you know what I mean.”