A curious bystander in transit accompanies, in different extremes of the planet, the fascination the UFC inspires in people these days.
Dallas airport, one week before the fight:
First time in the USA, Mr. Mohamad?
Second, I came for UFC 100, in 2009.
Belfort or Silva?
Starbucks in Las Vegas, five days before the fight:
Brazilians?
Yes.
Belfort or Silva?
Flight from Los Angeles to Lima, three days before the fight:
You do Jiu-Jitsu, right?
– Yes.
Belfort or Silva?
Atlantida Beach, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. One day after the fight:
I can’t get my surf on. I was up till 4 am to watch the fight…
What kind of bomb was that?
Police station in Porto Alegre, Brazil, two days after the fight:
I knew it would end in a knockout. The two are really quick.
That fight could never end in points.
Snack bar in São Leopoldo, Brazil, two daysafter fight:
Did you see the fight?
That one I watched. I’m not much into fights, but that one I’d never miss. There’s no one out there who can handle Silva.
The kid at the sandwich grill shouts:
My old lady thinks Belfort deserves a rematch!
Conversation between a Brazilians and an Egyptian, three days after the fight:
How are things in Cairo?
Hot.
Will Mubarak fall, or won’t he?
If Anderson comes over here, for sure! What a kick, wasn’t it, teacher?