Different people get it at different rates, I have been doing mma for a long time now and only have mild damage whereas my team mate has been doing it for a year and has some barley cauliflower. Yes I do suggest you use ear guards and you most definitely will not look weird. My gym is full of people who are in professions that require presenting yourself and they use ear guards like it's nothing, go for it.
On a side note, as an mma fighter, you should look at cauliflower as trophies that represent the time you have put in and all the handwork that you've gone through, anyway enjoy And hope you do well