I am a writer who has made a living and a place in this sport because I tell the stories of professional fighters.
Where so much of the coverage in MMA is focused on the increasingly hectic grind of the event schedule, my personal focus has always been about bringing fans something deeper.
It was out of this want to create a different brand of storytelling in MMA that I started “The Fighting Life” series back in 2011. I had this thought that the majority of individuals, naturally this doesn’t include the fighting faithful of diehard fight fans, only see what these athletes give them in the time they are under the bright lights on fight night.
With that in mind, I wanted to give people more information about the fighters involved and set about trying to first obtain that information, then bring those stories to the reading public.
The process of building this series has changed who I am as a writer and certainly how I see the broader scope of the fight game. And it is because of my perspective in the here and now, I want to bring you something different in 2014. There are still so many great stories to tell, and I’m not going to wait around for them this year. You all have been so supportive to my efforts that I want to do something special as my way of showing my appreciation.
What will that be exactly? Well, you are about to find out.
On Jan. 6, I am jumping in my trusty Nissan Altima and embarking on a mission that will cover over 4,000 miles and tackle subjects across the fighting community that have never been addressed—at least not in the way I intend to.
I have an all-star list of fighters and coaches who have agreed to take part in this project and who are willing to share their insights and experiences for the greater good of the bigger story. There will be more than a few surprises added in as we go, and the ultimate end goal is to give you the most in-depth look at variety of topics pertinent to this sport we all love and follow.
This is going to be an interactive experience, and I want it to matter as much to you as it does to me.
The Fighting Life has been my baby for the past two years, but in 2014, it belongs to each and every one of you as well. We have a passionate reader base at Bleacher Report, filled with knowledgeable and informed fight fans.
Take this ride with me, and we are going make a different kind of impact this year. It is because of you I have a platform to do what I love, and in turn, I want to give you all something to be proud of.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.
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