Last week we were all treated to a great night of fights at UFC Fight Night 19. Then on Saturday night some of the world’s best fighters put on a great show for the fans at UFC 103. So what are MMA fans and insiders talking about today?

Dancing With the Stars.

Yup. You heard it right. It’s truly a strange world we’re living in. After Chuck Liddell announced he would trade in the octagon for the ballroom, MMA fans all over the world made fun of the Iceman for competing in the hit ABC Reality Show. But, let’s face it. This is yet another absolutely BRILLIANT move by UFC prez Dana White, who was in the DWTS audience last night cheering on Chuck. Mixed Martial Arts is currently the fastest growing sport in the entire world. What better way to grow it even more than to expose it to a more mainstream audience? If the reality show’s season premier was any indication, Chuck’s appearance on Dancing With the Stars will be great for the sport. At one point, Chuck told the audience he wanted to prove to America MMA fighters are not the Neanderthals and thugs they are made out to be. So far it’s working. Chuck came off as being very shy and unsure of himself. And the audience LOVED him for it. The in-studio audience cheered louder for Chuck than almost all of the male dancers and he even showed off a few nifty moves.

After his second performance, DWTS judge, Carrie Ann Inaba said to Chuck “You obviously know how to work a woman.” Now, if that’s not high praise I don’t know what is! While, the two other judges weren’t as kind, they were obviously very surprised by how seriously he was taking the show as well as his dancing ability.

So, if you’re among the growing legions of MMA fans making fun of Chuck Liddell for his Dancing With the Stars appearance take a step back and look at it from the UFC’s point of view. Better yet, tune in to ABC and watch him kick some butt on the dance floor!