UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs Burns is underway from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Akin to the last 4 UFC events, this one too is being conducted without fans in the arena. And it is proving to be a learning experience for every fighter out there. This is because they are used to thousands of fans cheering them on as they slug it out in the Octagon. Tim Elliott reacted to the lack of fans midway through his bout at the event. 

Tim Elliott shocked at the silence in the UFC Apex

The 3rd fight on the preliminary card was a Flyweight clash between Brandon Royval and Tim Elliot. 

‘Raw Dawg’ made his debut in the UFC and managed to secure an upset over the 7-year veteran in the company. He arrived in style with an arm-triangle choke submission which prompted Elliott to tap with 1:52 remaining in the second round. 

However, what’s interesting is that at the break between rounds Elliott let slip about something that bothered him a bit. As he was panting with exhaustion following a 5 minute round Elliott said, “it’s too f**king quiet in here.”

The silence is certainly eerie. However, it is helpful to fighters who can receive coaching during the fights. This can help them tweak their style ever so slightly to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm. 

At times fighters even claim that the commentary team can help them out as everything is audible. Furthermore, an arena sans fans gives television audiences a chance to pick up on fighter interactions.

With the pandemic restrictions set to continue for a while and the UFC supposedly moving to Fight Island lack of fans in the arena will be the norm. Fighters will just have to get used to it as all of their fights to quote Elliott will be “too f***ing quiet.”

What is your take on the lack of fans putting fighters off their game?

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