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 (Ed: site defunct) , one of the premier MMA news blogs.

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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 17-40/4.0L USM @17mm, f /4, 1/320s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/2000s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @130mm, f /2.8, 1/100s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/1250s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @85mm, f /2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @80mm, f /2.8, 1/320s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/250s, ISO 800, EC -1/3
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @130mm, f /2.8, 1/320s, ISO 800, EC -1/3
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Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f /1.4, 1/2500s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f /1.4, 1/1600s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f /1.4, 1/2000s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 50/1.4 USM, f /1.4, 1/2000s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/500s, ISO 1600
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @70mm, f /2.8, 1/500s, ISO 1600, EC -4/3
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @200mm, f /2.8, 1/800s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0
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Canon 400D , EF 70-200/2.8L IS USM @135mm, f /2.8, 1/400s, ISO 1600, EC -1.0