I had the great pleasure of getting press access to take photographs at the May 16th MMA fights for the IFL promotion at Mohegan Sun.

As my first up-close introduction to MMA, I can attest to the incredible athleticism, endurance, technicality, and adrenaline that goes on each intense 4-minute round in that ring. It’s a brutal, but controlled, exhibition of probably the rawest form of direct physical competition.

Here’s a small selection from the action. For many more photos from this shoot, and to learn more about the sport, please check out MMA HQ, one of the premier MMA news blogs.

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 17-40/4.0L USM @17mm, f/4, 1/320s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/2000s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @130mm, f/2.8, 1/100s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @85mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @80mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 800, EC -1/3

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @130mm, f/2.8, 1/320s, ISO 800, EC -1/3

Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f/1.4, 1/2500s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f/1.4, 1/1600s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f/1.4, 1/2000s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f/1.4, 1/2000s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 1600

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 1600, EC -4/3

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @200mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @135mm, f/2.8, 1/400s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 25th, 2008 at 6:30 am and is filed under Photo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.