Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Mixed Martial Arts: A Controversial New Breed of Sport
For the last seven years mixed martial arts has exploded in the United States and Canada. For people that are still unfamiliar with the term mixed martial arts or (MMA), this would be the sport featured in such venues as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pride Fighting Championship. MMA is the essence of many various martial arts. These forms of martial arts come from all over the globe. A majority of these forms of fighting were closely guarded secrets and kept hidden from the rest of the world. In a MMA fight viewers will see the athletes practice Muay Thai from Thailand, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu from Brazil, Judo from Japan, Wrestling from America, and many other martial arts. Now, what MMA does is take out unneeded movements and focuses on technique, to make a much more effective way of disabling the fighter’s opponent. Mixed martial arts are important because it introduces people to different cultures. MMA reveals a raw but simple truth that one way does not work.
Most peoples view on the sport is a negative one. Another common belief is MMA fights have no rules. These attacks are contradicted by the truth that the fights have numerous rules. MMA fights have rules to protect the fighters. To enforce those rules is a trained MMA referee, the referee is in the ring or cage in every MMA fight. Mixed Martial Artist must wear four ounce gloves during the entire fight. No fighter may bite, eye gouge, hit the goring, pull hair or bend small joints such as finger and toes according to the rules. These rules are constant in every venue of MMA. Some rules do change for example in the Pride Fighting Championship no fighter can elbow another fighter at anytime this is not the case in the UFC. To win an MMA bout the fighter can knock their opponent out, submit their opponent or win by judge’s decision. Judges decision is based on a ten or less scoring system, like boxing. The winner having nine or more points, the loser nine or less.
Most MMA fighters are highly educated or had a respectable career before Mixed Martial Arts. Take, now light heavyweight contender, Rich “Ace” Franklin he was a high school mathematics teacher at Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati. Franklin has a Masters Degree in Education and a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from the University of Cincinnati. He was the Middleweight Champion for UFC until a recent loose to Anderson Silva. This is not an uncommon situation for the majority fighters involved in MMA. These men have come from all walks of life for example Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic this man was working as a commando in the Croatian police anti-terrorism unit until he became a professional mixed martial artist. A MMA fighter is not only highly educated and trained, but also very respectful. In most bouts before the action begins the fighters usually touch gloves and bows. Another common happening is at the end of the fight the mixed martial artists will huge and complement each other no matter what the outcome.
Brutal has been another word to described Mixed Martial Artist. This is a full contact sport but the rules and a highly trained referee insure no fighter is seriously injured. In the history of MMA in America there has only been one serious injury and no deaths in a sanctioned event. Where as boxing and football has a death and serious injury toll every year. The mixed martial artist trains diligently to not only cause damage to the opponent but to avoid damage.
The UFC has been very successful in America even surviving constant criticism. The MMA is the fastest growing sports today and one of the most enjoying to watch. Constantly out shining the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB) in cable ratings.
The future for mixed martial arts looks very bright. Most fans claim MMA is extremely dynamic and electrifying. MMA according to Dana White president of the UFC states "This thing is only getting bigger," he goes on to state "We're going to be around for a long time." Most people that are still unsure should open up their minds and watch a MMA fight or watch all the fights on my blog!!!
Most peoples view on the sport is a negative one. Another common belief is MMA fights have no rules. These attacks are contradicted by the truth that the fights have numerous rules. MMA fights have rules to protect the fighters. To enforce those rules is a trained MMA referee, the referee is in the ring or cage in every MMA fight. Mixed Martial Artist must wear four ounce gloves during the entire fight. No fighter may bite, eye gouge, hit the goring, pull hair or bend small joints such as finger and toes according to the rules. These rules are constant in every venue of MMA. Some rules do change for example in the Pride Fighting Championship no fighter can elbow another fighter at anytime this is not the case in the UFC. To win an MMA bout the fighter can knock their opponent out, submit their opponent or win by judge’s decision. Judges decision is based on a ten or less scoring system, like boxing. The winner having nine or more points, the loser nine or less.
Most MMA fighters are highly educated or had a respectable career before Mixed Martial Arts. Take, now light heavyweight contender, Rich “Ace” Franklin he was a high school mathematics teacher at Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati. Franklin has a Masters Degree in Education and a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from the University of Cincinnati. He was the Middleweight Champion for UFC until a recent loose to Anderson Silva. This is not an uncommon situation for the majority fighters involved in MMA. These men have come from all walks of life for example Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic this man was working as a commando in the Croatian police anti-terrorism unit until he became a professional mixed martial artist. A MMA fighter is not only highly educated and trained, but also very respectful. In most bouts before the action begins the fighters usually touch gloves and bows. Another common happening is at the end of the fight the mixed martial artists will huge and complement each other no matter what the outcome.
Brutal has been another word to described Mixed Martial Artist. This is a full contact sport but the rules and a highly trained referee insure no fighter is seriously injured. In the history of MMA in America there has only been one serious injury and no deaths in a sanctioned event. Where as boxing and football has a death and serious injury toll every year. The mixed martial artist trains diligently to not only cause damage to the opponent but to avoid damage.
The UFC has been very successful in America even surviving constant criticism. The MMA is the fastest growing sports today and one of the most enjoying to watch. Constantly out shining the National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB) in cable ratings.
The future for mixed martial arts looks very bright. Most fans claim MMA is extremely dynamic and electrifying. MMA according to Dana White president of the UFC states "This thing is only getting bigger," he goes on to state "We're going to be around for a long time." Most people that are still unsure should open up their minds and watch a MMA fight or watch all the fights on my blog!!!
Sunday, February 07, 2010
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