Unpredictability, intensity draw fans to combat sports

ONE Championship, which organises professional MMA fights, has held at least two major events annually here at higher-end locations like the Marina Bay Sands and the 12,000-seater Singapore Indoor Stadium since 2012. Other than fights, the events include seminars where fighters and representatives from various combat sport organisations give talks.

When ONE started in 2011, it only managed to stage one fight night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. “At the time (2011), not many people knew about MMA,” said Cui, adding that there was “a lot of work to be done” to raise awareness about the sport.

ONE sought to raise interest in MMA was to highlight local fighters like Angela Lee, or Amir Khan. "People love to get behind their own heroes,” he said.

Singapore Fighting Championship, which organises both amateur and professional fights for MMA, boxing and kickboxing, prides itself on its old-school, underground vibe to fight nights. “The appeal is that there are no gimmicks, it is everyday people with true passion,” said  SFC President Arvind Lalwani.

He added: “I want to showcase true passion and determination in its rawest form. I wanted to go for an underground feel as there are no other combat sport organisers that are promoting fights this way.” SFC 4 was held at the Foochow Building to accommodate the bigger audience. When SFC first started in 2014, it held fights at the Singapore Badminton Hall.

Charmaine Lim, an 18 year-old student who bought the S$50 ticket to watch SFC 4, said: “Getting up close and personal is a plus to me, it makes me feel closer to the fighters.”

“Real fights intrigue me, the fact that as spectators we don’t know what to expect when you see two fighters go at each other is the most exciting thing for me as an audience,” she added.

Another spectator, Nurul A’isyah, 24, said: “I watch it because you never know who will win. Even if you train hard it doesn’t mean you’re going to win. Even if the opponent is smaller than you, it’s not guaranteed you’re going to win.”

For Gabriel Chu, 20, the "most enjoyable part about watching the sport is seeing the fighters displaying their strengths and techniques”.

Said Ringstar Management Promoter Scott Patrick Farrell: “Combat sport events are a viewing spectacle, it leaves you on the edge.”

“I do think more and more people will start watching fights in Singapore, as long as we keep the sport safe, the coaches keep training and the fighters keep fighting.”

“The passion and adrenaline of a fight keeps me going. Many people tell me this sport is too violent for ladies, but I tell them injuries heal up, but the experience and lessons learnt, like respecting your opponent, stay with you.”

“I fight for my family. Knowing that they are supporting me whenever I travel away from home, keeps me going.”