When Dana White and Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta brought me in as a cutman, none of us imagined just how big the UFC would be in such a short time.

My schedule regularly has at least four events per month; during a month-long stretch I recently traveled to six cities and four continents working with the UFC and Vitali Klitschko… And UFC fans are the best in the world! 

During my trips to Rio De Janeiro I saw just how excited the fans were. I’ve seen the same reactions in Germany, Japan and Australia and it’s easy to see why the UFC is growing worldwide. 

In boxing, the Pacquiaos and Mayweathers draw 3,000–5,000 at the weigh-ins. Other boxing weigh-ins, maybe 50 fans. At UFC events it’s common to see 5,000, whilst the host hotels are always packed with fans ready to meet just about anyone associated with the UFC and take pictures or get autographs.

I arrived in Munich, Germany, after a super show in Omaha, Nebraska, and had just enough time to shower and iron my uniform before making my way to the official weigh-in where Vitali Klitschko was to square off with British heavyweight Dereck Chisora. Fans quickly came to me for photos and autographs and they all mentioned how much they love the UFC. This wasn’t a surprise as it happens every time I work with the Klitschkos in Germany. 

That said, the media in Germany hasn’t been very supportive of MMA, and I even had one executive from a major German TV station say: “This is not a human sport.” I laughed because his commentators love the sport and in the locker rooms talk often turns to mixed martial arts.

During the weigh-ins, Chisora, surprisingly and cowardly slapped Vitali. After a brief scuffle one of Chisora’s team said: “This is part of boxing.” It is moments like this, I realized, exactly why boxing is starting to disintegrate. Chisora further embarrassed himself and the sport when he spat on Wladimir inside the ring prior to the fight. He then decided to have a street brawl at the post-fight press conference with British boxer David Haye... Sad to say, but, ‘this is part of boxing.’

The opposite of that then struck me in the airport when I was flying out of Germany. I was recognized by soldiers heading out to Afghanistan, and they thanked me for the support that the UFC has given the military. I’m very glad to say, ‘this is part of MMA.’

Next stop, Tokyo, Japan. I’ve been to Japan countless times with Josh Barnett, Matt Hume and Erik Paulson, and looked forward to returning after years away. When ‘Sexyama’ first joined the UFC, he said. “In Japan, you are very famous,” echoing the same words I heard from Vitor Belfort before my first visit to Brazil.

I knew I’d made a lasting impression in Japan with the fighters, trainers, and promoters when Josh fought in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pride and Sengoku. Matt Hume and Josh arranged for me to do seminars on wrapping hands and working cuts at these events. It was at a Pride seminar for the fighters where ‘Shogun’ Rua and Wanderlei Silva first started calling me, ‘Santana.’

But I didn’t expect the fans to respond the way they did when I arrived at the hotel. I started taking pictures and signing autographs before I had a chance to check in. The fans were great.

At the Saitama Super Arena I felt back home. When walking out for my first fight with bucket, swabs, KO swell and my medications in hand, I experienced something I hadn’t felt since I was a rookie cutman: goose bumps. The chill was because the fans weren’t like any Japanese fans I’d witnessed before. They arrived early and were almost as excited as the crowds in Brazil, Canada, England, Ireland or the USA. 

When Vaughan Lee beat ‘Kid’ Yamamoto the fans were shocked, but finally appreciated the performance of both fighters and applauded loudly. They cheered Okami throughout his dominant performance against Tim Boetsch, and then Boetsch stunned them into silence once more. There was disappointment in the home fans’ eyes, but once again they showed appreciation for both fighters. 

Then Gomi’s victory had them yelling so loud it reminded me of Rio when Anderson Silva won. And they went into a frenzy when ‘Rampage’ Jackson came out to the Pride music. Who said that the Japanese fans were reserved?

Final stop, Sydney, Australia. I compare Australian fans to Canadians; super die-hards. Like Tokyo, the hotel was filled with fans from all parts of Australia. ‘When is the UFC coming to Perth or Melbourne?’ they’d ask. And, as we all know, the fights satisfied once again. The flyweights were so fast the cameramen had a tough time keeping them in focus. 

Next stop for me is Stockholm, Sweden, where the fans are just as excited as the rest. And, despite my head spinning, I’m just glad to be part of it all.