Many of the UFC guys are really hot. But I personally can't watch the stuff anymore. The gore and violence is appalling. The blood running in the ring is just too gross for me. And these guys are often seriously hurt. I think it just perpetuates extreme violence in our patriarchal society. And boys are copying this behaviour at school and sometimes get seriously hurt.

I can understand the perception of the sport as violent and dangerous. I used to share the same impression until about 4 years ago when I started following the sport closely. I remember back in the 90's when John McCain was making a case for the sport being, as he called it, "human cockfighting" I even remember the marketing tag line use by the UFC then "two fighters enter the Octagon, only one comes out".

MMA competitors are not longer thugs or street fighters. They are well trained athletes that belong to very sophisticated training camps where their skills are constantly honed to provide an competitive edge over their opponents. Additionally all professional MMA competitions are sanctioned by State Commissions all over the country, weight classes have been established with clear rules on what is permitted and what is banned. Moreover drug testing is now common place and medical monitoring and attention is provided before and after all events. The rules have clearly changed to protect the health of the fighters.

Structurally MMA ends up being safer than most combat sports. The bouts are usually only 3 five minute rounds. Fighters can end a fight whenever they want by simply tapping out (contrary to boxing where fights only end by knock out or decision). In these short combats the goal becomes getting your opponent to a situation where there is no exit instead of necessarily inflicting the most damage (sort of a physical check mate). Also innate to MMA is the mutual respect that two martial artists have of each other. It is not rare to see fighters touch gloves several times during a fight especially after one of them has achieved clear dominance in a tight clinching session or a tough standing exchange.

Don't get me wrong, MMA is violent and blood in the octagon is not uncommon so it is understandable that many people decide to stay away from it. It is not for everyone but I would suggest that before anyone discards it based on old perceptions or the impression that it is much dangerous that other sports just give it another closer look. Read some articles about fighters stories, training and life challenges, watch some competitions like the WEC in Versus or Strikeforce in Showtime (free stuff) and I'm sure you'll be surprised by the professionalism that some of these kids exhibit. Probably not much different than the desires, abilities and drive of the high school quarterback on his way to college football or the major league pitcher from your favorite team.

I'm attaching some interesting articles on the subject including the infamous "Cheerleading is the most dangerous sport" from a few months back.


MMA myths debunked again

Critiquing MMA

Incidence on Injury in MMA

Violence in Football

most Dangerous Sport

LOL, Climber, I didn't "bite" when I saw this post but I figured you would.

My response would be 'that's your opinion and you are welcome to it'. Also, I've only seen reports of school boys emulating the WWE, not MMA fighters.

TC by now you know me well...

I'm no prude but the violence can be gratuitous. It shows a coarsening of our society and that's a bad thing.