(MAR 6) When I decided to cover my “first-time” MMA event "Double Threat" , that took place on Friday night at the Route 66 Casino and Hotel, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I was amazed by all of the emails and comments that I received when WBAN readers saw that I would be venturing into an MMA event to cover it. 

One of the main reasons for attending this particular event was due to the high interest from the boxing community and media, when it was announced that multi-world champion Holly Holm was set to make her pro debut in MMA. Holm is also our WBAN world champion which made it even more intriguing as to what would happen when she ventured into MMA.

I did not attend the pre-fight coverage that included the press conference and the weigh-in, and the promoter had another photographer Raymond Mares on scene for that coverage. I flew in from Portland, Orego to New Mexico the day of the fight. [below photos: Raymond Mares]

The MMA event had 10 matches scheduled on the card with Holly Holm’s fight being featured as the semi-main event. Holm was set to fight Christina “Machine Gun” Domke, 4-1 (2KO), 2 Submission). The main event featured Keith Jardine vs. Aron Lofton, and two MMA bouts with fighters making their pro debuts. The first six bouts were amateur MMA matches.

In Holly Holm’s bout, her opponent was the first to enter the ring. Domke did not display a lot of movement and seemed to be relaxed as she about to take on Holm. Just prior to Holm making it into the ring, there was a huge group of Holm fans that shouted loudly, “We Love you Holly.”

When Holm entered the ring, she was a complete opposite as opponent Domke. Holm entered the cage with high-energy doing laterals around the caged ring, jumping high in the air to warm up her legs, and she appeared to be extremely focused.

In the first round, as to what I observed as a “novice” viewing MMA for the first time this night, Holm appeared to be much faster, stronger, and as far as punching abilities went, she was far superior to Domke. At one point they both went down to the mat and it was the battle of the strengths in the first round. In about half way through the second round, Holm seemed to be much more direct and powerful and it became apparent that if the ref did not stop the fight that Domke would surely be knocked out. The ref did stop the bout, with Domke looking disappointed that it had ended---but from the outside looking in, it was a good call.

It was extremely interesting to see Holm transform from boxer to MMA---but not sure I would enjoy her more in MMA. As some of us boxing folks say at times, we can be guilty of being “boxing purists.”

One of the men’s bouts that I enjoyed the most on this evening was the main event. Jardine and Lofton were superior athletes. The bout was a tad bit “bloody. The strength and toughness that both of these fighters displayed was very impressive.

Even though I do not follow MMA, I have to give kudos to everyone of these athletes. The sportsmanship and the camaraderie they displayed with their teams and their opponents and the opponents team was something all athletics can learn from. Not in one match did I see anyone displaying a negative attitude when they lost a fight and the winner was very respectful and cordial with the loser.

In conclusion, many of you wanted an opinion from me about Mixed Martial Arts. And…really all that I can say from only attending my first MMA event is that I have “Mixed” feelings about it. I walked away from it not “liking” or “disliking” it.

*I will be video-streaming highlights of this card soon.