Plop 30,000 neuroscientists into a downtown core and around 6pm you better be figuring out where you’re going to eat. We found such a place. It was perfect. Then the music turned off and the TV volume went up. Conversation waned. People were fighting! Blood! Joints cracking! But we just want to talk…but…this is kinda intriguing! So, here you have it – neuroscientists watch UFC. Photos by Shaina and Jason.
Michael does some stretching so that he doesn’t injure himself. I don’t need to stretch.
Pre-fight reflective moments
One man prays for his guy to kick the other guy’s ass
When the fight was on…
When commercials were on…
Still praying
The photographer is photographed.
If neuroscience doesn’t pan out this many clearly has other options.
Shaina and Delane.
Hand gestures are an effective way to supplement verbal conversation, don’t forget.
Dr. O’Leary
Some people probably developed neck problems that night.
Mobile devices are an effective strategy for coping with the blood and gore.
Self-caressing is an effective strategy for coping with the blood and gore.
Baby I love you too.
UFC is infectious.
UFC is exhausting.
I pledge allegiance to my guy who is going to kick the other guy’s ass.
Laughing over a good round of ass-kicking. Or possibly something else.
Some people trim the neck area of their beard. I’m not one of those people. (but I have nothing against those people either – I believe in a world where people are free to trim their beards according to their own desires and customs)
Standing room.
Reaching in to hear over the kicks and jabs.
The horrors.
The horrors.
Unfazed (by the horrors).
These guys had a nice routine going.
Artsy blur shot.
Servers used fancy machines to tabulate bills and store paper money.
Mid-fight reflective moment.
Easy for them to smile because they couldn’t see the screen from where they’re sitting.
Look, this thing went for hours. Even people who are capable of 10 hours straight behavioral testing need some downtime, a reflective moment, ya dig?
Another patron uses hand gestures to convey information, another to adjust their belt.
Innate responses.
Well well well, another camera is in the house.
There is really nothing to say here that wasn’t said in the previous caption.
Eyes. Glued.
Something probably happened here.
Date night.
In addition to hand gestures, facial expressions…
This guy won. I just Google it – his name is Conor McGregor.
Michael asks me for some advice on his manuscript.
He doesn’t like my advice.
I emerge completely unscathed.
Post-fight reflective moment.
Hittin the next joint.
(scene from the next joint)
Just did a random search for neuroscience +ufc. Trying to understand why some people choose to do this (best each other…’s brains to not so functional).I started with boxing in the Ali era but UFC is just so much more refined….the blood stains on the floor wouldn’t show in B&W SD anyway. This is the top result. My hypermoralistic tendencies make me want to shame anyone who claims to be a student of human behaviour via neuroscience while simultaneously enjoying UFC fights. The unbiased observer says super intriguing behaviour on display here. Anyway. …if you love human kind, try not to smile when this happens. You DO have the power to userp and overwrite the violent tendencies we have developed over the eons. Good luck and remember – you don’t have to be a barbarian to get by. There’s room for civilized thought still.
Hi Alex – I pretty much completely agree here and my intention by posting photos of people smiling was not to promote UFC or fighting, though I see how it could leave that impression. Any/most shots of people smiling is just a result of being together and hanging out with friends, regardless of what was on the screen.