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In August, UFC finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest. Almost sneaking in, then out, of town - and with little fanfare from the local media. UFC brought a blockbuster line-up and one of the fighting-est cards Portland has seen in a long while. It was a natural for Portland- home of The Natural, Randy Couture. And Couture's hometown rocked the Rosegarden's foundations, his fans so deafening in their excitement that Couture, himself, seemed surprised. Couture strode into the stadium with his usual calm, yet could not resist breaking out in a wide grin, raising his arm in all quarters to a crowd that would not sit down, would not quiet down, and was held spellbound by the moment. Anyone privileged enough to be there could feel the thundering focus of more than 15,000 fans, all eyes on one man. It was epic.

And so, too, was the fight that followed. Two grand lions, battling it out second by second, every move countered by the other, every slam, every blow. Couture was staggered several times, but so was Nogueira. The fight was not over till it was over. No one watching could doubt that these two fighters held the top slots in the world of MMA, where only a handful of men on the planet had the skill, endurance and strategy to combat on this level. Though Nogueira took the fight in a decision, Couture's fans can be confident that even at 46, he will be back- that MMA is a sport of skill, not age.

So why Portland? Because MMA was already here. Portland is MMA Supertown, producing, arguably, the highest, per capita Pros, Icons and Superstars of any other town in the US. Dana White exhibited another stroke of marketing brilliance by headlining Couture and Nogueira in a town that is custom made for MMA mania, and- just like that- the Rosegarden arena became one of the UFC's top draws; no big ticket marketing programs, no community controversy, just pure, mass attendance.

Portland, Oregon is an MMA nexus, with top rated gyms, Dojos and training camps thick on the ground, many thriving despite the economic downturn. Current, and next generation Pros and amateurs churn in and out from this close knit fight community, moving into and through a town made to order for building MMA skillets.

So when the UFC came to town, it was not just a ‘demographic' filling any stadium to watch ‘any sport'. It was Portland filling the stadium, to watch their ‘own'. Portland came to watch their hometown guys- stars and Icons, all- competing at their world class best in their own backyard. They delivered a competition worthy of the Olympic backgrounds, their collegiate records and the national titles that flowed behind them. The crowd came in force; family, friends, gym partners, and work mates. They all came to honor the pure commitment, to watch the pure fight, up close and full of its greatness.

The fight card made some of the best match-ups of the year, lots of action and excitement. Big names, like Keith Jardine and Gabriel Gonzaga, Nogueira- and, of course, Couture.

But the true fan came for the Portland stories, as much as for the fight.

Chael Sonnen and Nate Quarry both watched stoically as their mutual foe, Demian Maia, was stopped in his seeming run through Team Quest's star athletes towards the UFC title, long held by Anderson Silva. Sonnen, top ten, world-ranked UFC Middleweight- who sat next to his former Team Quest mate- could at least be happy that the ‘stop' came on Team Quest's turf. After Marquardt's stunning overhand dropped Maia like a stone, you couldn't help wanting to be within earshot when the wry looks and comments flew between Quarry and Sonnen.

Ironically, barely 20 feet forward from them sat none other than Anderson Silva, looking very ‘Wall Street' in a flawlessly tailored suit. Next to him was a similarly attired Rashad Evans. Suddenly, fight broke out behind the two icons- yes, a fight between fans in the high-ticket pits. Portland is not shy, and MMA fans are passionate. The fight happened so fast. But Anderson Silva- calm and unflappable- stood up, turned to the fracas, and gestured. Everyone just stopped. There's a Portland story, for you.... ‘ Disciplined at UFC 102 by Anderson Silva...'

Later, Dana White was seen moving in a tight knot of people just up from the pit. He slid amongst the stands, graciously offering himself for pictures. Dana didn't have to glad hand the crowd; but he did. Close to being mauled by Portland's enthusiasm, he seemed to enjoy the hugs and genuine delight. The crowd loved it, and Portland fans won't forget.

Urijah Faber was seen slipping through the crowd, hat turned backwards on that unmistakable surfer hair. Brock Lesner sat cage-side, next to Dana White. Lesner was fit and sleek- almost graceful, despite his enormous size. His face on the jumbo screen brought no cheers, though. Portland's fans remain unappreciative of his controversial win over Couture, when Lesner's accidental fist to the back of Couture's head stopped a strategic assault by Randy. In Portland, many might cite the ‘sportsmanship' credo that mandates dropped hands until a downed fighter recovers from a questionable blow. Lesner's capitalizing barrage of punches ultimately won him a stoppage against Couture. The ‘controversial' part, however, is taken very seriously by Portland. Certainly, Lesner could be applauded for an instinct to close the deal. Some in MMA Supertown, however, do not approve. Hence the Lesner boos.

But even still, the guy next to me shrugged, "I want to hate Lesner. But he seems like a nice guy. And he's so fast! Even with all that meat on him... I mean, look at him- he's a monster! What kind of protein do you eat to get that big?" The guy shrugs, with a fast grin, "I think he eats humans!" We laughed, but with respect for Lesner's undeniable talent.

Portland's own team of fight Commission professionals was on the floor, too, surrounding the cage. Referee Dave Hagen took a turn the Octagon and the crowd loved it. He had a couple key fights with controversial hits and showed the same calm professionalism seen at Rumble at the Roseland's amateur championships, and at Sportfight's Pro-Am events. Familiar faces from Oregon State's Athletic Commission were present, as were ringside docs and officials. All are seen often in the metropolitan's robust MMA amateur league. Many top Pros tested their mettle at the amateur level in Portland's talented pool of local athletes
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Scattered in the crowd, and at Sports Bar venues all over town, was the heart and soul of MMA Supertown; team members from Pro Am camps like Next Level MMA, Team Quest, Alive MMA, SBGi, and Premier Martial Arts. Even Portland's amateur camps are barely amateur, with gyms like Touch M UP, DFCC, Armstrong Martial Arts, KARMMA, Team Redux, Dog Pound, TSN, UIMA, and countless others. An amateur record acquired in this company is a powerful pedigree; Portland is a fight town, plain and simple. Cages and rings are sprinkled across the metro area, and on almost any weekend a top-level cage fight can be found somewhere on the I-5 corridor. And Inside MMA's Ron Kruk has labeled the jewel in the crown, The FCFF's Rumble at the Roseland America's Premier Amateur Championship event.

Chris Leben and Ed Herman worked their amateur talent in The FCFF's Slammer, turning Pro and enjoying colorful careers. Both had a rough night in the UFC 102 octagon. But, the legion of their fans who turned out for them were pragmatic when Herman went out with a bad twist to his knee, and Leben got caught for tough tap out. These were Portland's guys- win or lose, they couldn't do wrong.

Krzysztof Sosynski's bout brought Dan Henderson back to Portland to complete the old trifecta that was destined to put Portland on the MMA map: Couture/Henderson/Lindland, founders of Team Quest. Any eyes searching the crowd for one of the three would see Lindland and Henderson moving in and out with their fighters, Henderson giving himself up to the crowd for pictures, Lindland keeping his habitual low profile.

But the burgeoning roar as Couture moved from the back of the Rosegarden was like a wall of sound made into a force of nature. Randy Couture had come home. At 46, the man looked ripped and dangerous; his habitual calm gaze gave way to that infectious grin when he took in the scene that must have played in his mind for so long- the Octagon in Portland, a full house on their feet for their home grown Superstar.

The deafening applause just went on and on. Flags with Oregon State University colors unfurled from those who drove up from Corvallis to see their former coach. Signs with his name waved frantically. And rising up from your seat to cheer was like rising into a physical weight made from sound, with every eye fixed on one man, under the lights. Nogueira was worthy- and we were ready for this fight. This was our gladiator.

What commenced was a gripping clash of will and skill, power and strategy. Both fighters were relentless and unstoppable; every second- you couldn't blink, you could hardly breathe without missing a blow, a twist, an escape. The real sports writers can tell you of the moves, the counter-strikes, the technical brilliance and training. But this was more than these two men fighting in their prime. This was Portland's formal entrance into the MMA world. For in Portland, MMA is a community; it is family and commitment- it is a lifestyle. And Portland is... MMA Supertown. It's time for the rest of the world to hear our thunder.