Anyone who has caught a glimpse of a UFC fight knows
that mixed martial artists are among the most finely tuned athletes in professional sports. Not only do they put their bodies on the line every time they get in the octagon, but the skill, flexibility and dedication it takes to master multiple kinds of martial arts can only be achieved by a select few. Watching them in action certainly is a testament to their athleticism, but a more detailed look at their training regimen makes their achievements even more impressive.
To truly understand the work it requires to make it to the highest levels of MMA, you need look no further than Tito Ortiz. As one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport, his workout routine is certainly impressive. Speaking with Fitzness.com in 2011, Ortiz detailed just how strenuous his workout regimen is. He trains six days a week, and that includes a 3-mile run followed by sparring, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and boxing. All in all, he estimates he puts in about eight hours of exercise each day - which basically makes working out his full time job.
It's a demanding profession to be sure, but Ortiz certainly reaped the rewards of his hard work. The Huntington Beach Bad Boy was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2012, and his bouts with legends such as Randy Couture and Chuck Liddel will ensure he lives on in the annals of UFC history for decades to come.
Of course, Ortiz isn't the only UFC fighter with jaw-dropping training regimens. Ronda Rousey - who made history when she became the first female athlete to sign with the UFC - has a routine that's hard to top. She credits the wide variety of skills an MMA fighter needs to learn with helping her sculpt her envy-inducing abs and arms. Aside from having to focus on technical striking, Judo, and wrestling, she says she mixes in things like Pilates and training on sand dunes to get a truly well-rounded experience.
Getting to the highest levels of any sports, whether it be basketball, football, golf or swimming, takes commitment, but few endeavors are quite as demanding as MMA. Yet Rousey, Ortiz, and the other members of this elite crew have managed to do just that with an impressive combination of skill, dedication, and strength.
Want to see these finely-tuned athletes in action? Grab your UFC tickets on TicketsNow!
The origins of the circus date as far back as Ancient Rome, but back then it largely referred to a circular arena where events such as chariot races, equestrian shows, and staged battles took place. It wasn't until the later 1700s that the circus began to resemble what we think of today. The concept originated in Europe, where the likes of Philip Astley and Andrew Durcow brought their impressive displays of horsemanship on tour.
In the United States, however, the circus world did not really take off until the early 20th century when James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum teamed up with the Ringling Brothers Circus in 1919. The partnership - which is still in operation today - is a circus in the most traditional sense. Clowns, elephants, acrobats, lion tamers, and daredevils have all become staples of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, and today the touring company still sells out arenas across the country.
While traditional acts such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey are still popular, the concept of a circus has shifted dramatically over the last several decades, thanks in large part to the emergence of Cirque du Soleil. The company was founded in Montreal in 1984, and what started as a unique blend of circus acts and street performers has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon.
Cirque du Soleil has made a name for itself thanks largely to its elaborate costumes, classic music, and mind-bending acrobatics. The Canadian circus troupe has operated dozens of original shows throughout the years, including Love, which first kicked off a tour in 2006. Today, Love is performed at The Mirage in Las Vegas and features music from The Beatles that has been set to complement the breathtaking choreography of the acrobats.
Whether you prefer traditional circuses or have fallen for the allure of Cirque du Soleil, it's hard to deny the appeal of these one-of-a-kind shows!
-Image courtesy of Getty Images
Electronic dance music (EDM) has been popular across the globe for years. In Europe, countries ranging from Belgium and Norway to Sweden and the United Kingdom became hotspots for some of the best DJs and producers in the world. Yet despite the popularity globally, EDM has only caught on in the U.S. in the last few years.
Although the U.S. was slow to get on board the EDM train, it has spread like wildfire, as evidenced by the fact that in 2012, the dance event Sensation is coming to the United States for the first time. The two-day dance party is slated for October 26 and 27, when it will hit the Barclays Center in New York. Given the event's track record across the globe, it's safe to say the Big Apple won't know what hit it.
Sensation can trace its roots back to more than a decade when it got its start in the Netherlands. From small beginnings, it quickly grew into something much larger. With everyone in attendance decked out in white, Sensation became one of the most popular house events in the country and by 2005, it had expanded to Belgium and Germany.
Eventually, Sensation established a presence in a number of other countries throughout Europe while attracting big-name DJs such as David Guetta, Tiesto, the Swedish House Mafia, Sebastian Ingrosso and Paul van Dyk - just to name a few.
While the lineup for the U.S. leg of the tour has yet to be announced, one look at the other Sensation events in Europe offer a glimpse into what you can expect if you make the trip to New York.
Earlier this summer, Sensation made a stop in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the experience would be one even the most grizzled dubstep veteran could appreciate. Heavy hitters in the EDM world Eric Prydz and Avicii both took the stage at SKK arena, and they surely spun a show to remember.
Will the U.S. ever catch up to its overseas counterparts in terms of EDM? That's hard to say, but landing an impressive dance event like Sensation is a good start. With homegrown events as the Ultra Music Festival and Electric Daisy Carnival attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees, it's safe to say the U.S. is well on its way.
Even before Christopher Nolan gave Batman a reboot with his critically acclaimed "Dark Knight" trilogy, the Caped Crusader already had risen to iconic status. Regardless of who played Batman, whether it be the campy turn of Adam West, the over-the-top portrayal by Val Kilmer or the more pensive slant offered by Christian Bale, the hooded crime-fighter still retains a place in pop culture history.
The story of Batman has been told in various types of media including movies, TV series, video games and even cartoons, but it got a new look when Batman Live launched last summer. The stage show proved to be quite popular upon its initial release and has been making its way around the globe ever since.
Batman Live offers a bit more of a unique glimpse into the story of Bruce Wayne and his secret identity. Much like how Nolan's "Batman Begins" examines his origins, Batman Live looks at how the crime fighter came to be, starting with the murder of his parents at the hands of masked gangsters.
Once he has transformed into Batman, Bruce Wayne becomes the guardian of Dick Grayson, whose parents were also murdered much like his own. Eventually, Bruce shares his secret identity with Dick, and the two team up to form Batman and Robin.
But our heroes are not the only ones with plenty of stage time in Batman Live. After all, what would the Dynamic Duo be without a long list of villains? Although the main antagonist is The Joker, fans will see everyone including Catwoman, the Riddler, the Penguin, Poison Ivy, Two-Face and Scarecrow, just to name a few.
Each production of Batman has added its own unique take on the character, whether it be Tim Burton's darkly comical version or George Clooney's more tongue-in-cheek portrayal. Batman Live also offers an unusual twist on the story by adding a few elements audiences have never seen before.
Where TV, movies and video games all focus on action, Batman Live includes more theatrical and circus elements to create a stage show that rivals similar productions such as Cirque du Soleil.
It's always good to reinvent longstanding stories, and Batman Live certainly does just that. While it provides a new look at the Caped Crusader, it still holds all the appeal of the comic book hero. The international hit had its world premier in Manchester, England, and will begin its United States tour on September 5, 2012. Debuting at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, the acrobatics packed show will feature many of the original supporting cast members on its U.S. leg, including celebrated performer Stefan Dermendjiev. Having originally trained as a circus performer in his native Bulgaria, Dermendjiev is known for his strength high-level of acrobatic skill. He brings to the U.S. tour the experience of the whole European tour.
Whether you are looking for family fun or a date night attraction, set your sights on this amazing show! Purchase your Batman Live tickets now!
With the start of baseball’s 2012 regular season just days away, we took a look at our exclusive ticket resale data to see which home opener tickets are most in demand and which teams have the most enthusiastic fans. Check out the full list below. Here are a couple stats that immediately jumped out at us:
- World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals Average Ticket Resale Price Up Nearly 140%
- Miami Marlins Fans Eager for a Fresh Start as their opener Average Resale Price Jumps 265%
- Mets Edge Out Yankees
- White Sox Best Cubs
- Giants Top Dodgers