Mixed martial arts, or MMA, is known as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Fans of the sport know that some MMA fights can go down in a matter of minutes. If you’re looking for a bar to get caught up in the anticipation and excitement right before a big fight, then check out one of these DC area bars.

Public Bar
1214 18th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-223-2200
www.publicbardc.com

Hours: Mon to Wed 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Thurs to Sun 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Enjoy superior service and quality, daily food and drink specials and a full-service bar all the while watching MMA on one of 40 flat screen and high definition televisions. Public Bar transforms the space of the once popular Club 5 into a comfortable lounge, restaurant and sports bar. The bar/restaurant boasts three floors plus a rooftop deck that features ample seating and plenty of televisions. Indulge in half-priced wings on Tuesdays or happy hour specials all day Thursdays. Other sports featured at Public Bar include boxing matches, special events like the Redskins Cheerleaders calendar party and more.

Bar-Code
1101 17th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-9001
www.barcodedc.com/deals

Hours: Mon to Thurs 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sat 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Sun 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

If it’s Saturday night and there is a UFC fight going on, then it’s Fight Night at Bar-Code. Grab your friends and watch all the action on one of the many high definition and projector televisions available at Bar-Code. On Fight Night the kitchen stays open until midnight, so you can enjoy tasty American fare like pizza, pasta and paninis well after the winner of the fight is determined. After the fight, relax in the lounge area or dance along to Latin, hip-hop, international and top-40 tunes courtesy of local DJs. Bar-Code also features weekly food and drink specials, an outdoor patio and dance parties Wednesday through Saturday nights.

Velocity Five
2300 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
703-243-4900
www.velocityfiverestaurant.com

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

With 5,200 square feet of space, plus a 2,000 square foot covered patio, you definitely won’t feel cramped while watching the latest MMA fight. Velocity Five also features more than 30 large flat screen high definition televisions, a state-of-the-art sound system, full-service bar and restaurant and a lounge area. Enjoy daily food and drink specials including Doggie Yappie Hour on Mondays where both you and your dog can enjoy happy hour specials and special treats. Other events at Velocity Five include quiz and poker nights, live music, DJs, dancing and more.

Related: Best Beer Selection And Beer Halls in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Wing University
10312 Willard Way
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-273-6336
www.buffalowinguniversity.com

Hours: Mon to Wed 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Thurs to Fri 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.

For MMA fans on a budget, Buffalo Wing University offers affordable food and drinks and plenty of televisions to watch the fight. Featuring a full-service bar and restaurant, Buffalo Wing University serves traditional American cuisines like burgers and pizza, as well as more than 20 buffalo wing flavor options including one known as D.O.A. The restaurant and bar also features a game area, special events like trivia nights and Beer 101 where guests sample beers from local breweries. Known for being a haven for GMU students, Buffalo Wing University is your average, low-key college sports bar.

Tonic Mount Pleasant
3155 Mt. Pleasant St. NW
Mount Pleasant, DC 20010
202-986-7661
tonicrestaurant.com

Hours: Sun to Thurs 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Fri to Sat 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Known as “the home of the UFC,” Tonic offers a full-service bar, great food and multiple televisions to catch the latest MMA fight. This bar serves comfort food in a neighborhood-like atmosphere creating the perfect laid back environment in which to catch the fights. Enjoy happy hours specials like half-priced burgers and draft beer, Monday through Friday. The restaurant and bar also offer other food and drink specials throughout the week including Taco Tuesdays and Paddle Your Boat Thursdays. Stop by on Wednesday nights and enjoy a free bottle of red or white wine with purchase of an appetizer and two entrees plus a rousing game of trivia from 8 to 10 p.m. The winning team scores a $50 Tonic gift card.

Related: Best Sports Bars in the D.C. Area

Susan Diranian is a freelance writer living in Ashburn, VA. She is covering Travel & Outdoors. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.