The Last Word

Ultimate Fighting Championship just celebrated its 10th year of hand-to-hand combat. Photographer Fernando Escovar takes a look at the state of the “bloodiest sport on earth” and the men who call the ring their home.

These men come to show off a lifetime of commitment to the martial arts. In mixed martial arts, Karate, Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Akido, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Kung fu, wrestling and grappling, their skills are all part of the contest. Escovar calls it “human warfare on a cellular level.” The form of fighting best suited to the situation is the one the fighter chooses. Each fighter has multiple belts in multiple disciplines. Anything goes in a UFC bout. All-out brawls involve high kicks, submissions and conventional boxing.

Fernando says of the experience, “As you photograph these warriors, whether it be for a session or in action, you feel the intensity.” He recently had the privilege to be “on the apron,” which is ringside, for UFC 46, held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. According to Fernando, “Most photographers were using faster cameras or film, while I used my Canon-1Ds—which did a great job. First I set it at Auto White Balance. This took the yellow out of the overhead ring lighting at Mandalay Bay. No flash or overhead strobes were allowed, not even for a staffer. Next, I set the ISO to the maximum setting of 1250 and started practicing on the announcer, Bruce Buffer. I judged the exposure to be 1⁄325 at f/2.8, using a 70–200mm f/2.8 EOS lens with the autofocus turned off.

“ There was a mesh rope fence between the audience and the fighters instead of ring ropes, but when I focused on the fighters, the fence disappeared. As with photographing any sport, you must anticipate the action and be ready for anything—just like the athletes.”