Tyler

How do you think the general public views MMA? It's still banned in many places, and I just heard the other day on TV on CNN a congressman or some political loser trying to ban MMA (he referred to it as cagefighting) as it's a "gruesome, barbaric, and deadly sport".

Now, this isn't news to us, how many people pass judgement on something they know little about. However, how do you think the general public views MMA? Do you think they view it as highly technical and skilled or just big brawlers battling each other out to a bloody mess? Do you think they think it's a lot more dangerous than it is, and that it's not closely regulated?

Bryan

In my opinion, a lot of people will find it very gruesome and barbaric. I think a lot of this is attributed to the octogon or the whole cage concept.

For this reason, I think that the entire MMA committee or whom ever (including the UFC since they are getting oh so popular) should convert to a rope ring instead, similar to boxing.

My only gripe about this though is that many fighters use the cage to help pin and tackle their opponents. With the rope ring, there'll be many ring outs, or people getting tangled into the ropes. On top of that, the referee will have to constantly stop fights and clutching like in boxing.

But if you look at boxing - it's the same concept, and has been a thriving business for decades. I would this is all mainly because of the open ring concept with the ropes. Everyone can see the action now.

Tyler

The irony is that the cage is much safer. Fighters can go flying out of the ropes, get chocked, or otherwise tangled in the ropes when on the ground.

It's sad though, since MMA is probably safer than almost any other form of regulated fighting out there. Very unfortunate...

Bryan

I would disagree with the comment that it is probably safer then most other regulating fighting out there.

Because of the pins, tackles, grapples, etc. it results in a lot more broken bones and wounds. HOWEVER, I will state that there have been more fatalities probably in boxing matches then in MMA matches.

The reason for this? In my opinion - boxers have the mentality that they can fight until whenever. They don't have the option to "tap out" like in MMA matches.

To keep the fighters from flying out, there would be a need for refs to "pause" the fights once they approach the ropes.

It's all public imagery, and if it was in a roped ring, it would make the public feel a little better towards MMA.

kickboxerkid

In my opinion, the sport is as safe as the sportsmen/women competing.

Every technique can be seemed as harmless, or deadly. It depends on how aggressively it's delivered, where the blow is delivered, etc.

I quite like watching MMA and reading about it. I think the competitors show great respect and sportsmanship towards eachother, overall it's an excellent sport.

Bryan

I sort of agree. MMA fighters are necessarily out to kill eachother. They just want to win the match, and do what they need to to do so.

Its probably a small knit community of fighters, so everyone's got respect for everyone, minus the occasional shit talking. I'm sure the last thing on every fighters mind is to kill the opponent.

kickboxerkid

Well exactly.

In most cases from what I know, fighters often face eachother several times. It's not just a case of "I beat him, I don't have to fight him again"...but more a case of they keep on challenging eachother.

The fighting spirit.

yossarian1979

You guys should check out the Documentary called Rites of Passage, it shows Kevin Randleman, Enson Inoue, and others. Its interesting to hear their perspectives on the way they view MMA, I feel MMA is not a "safe" sport, but any contact sport is considered dangerous to some extent, I also feel that this sport is easier on the body long-term than lets say boxing, boxing you take continuous damage to the head and body, while in MMA you have to worry about submissions and the ground game. Also in MMA you have the option to quit (tap-out) and in boxing the standing 8 count is very very dangerous becuz if you go Unconscious for a second, then get back up to fight you double your chances of slipping into a coma.

kickboxerkid

The tap out option of MMA is something that's strongly overlooked by the public.

They see it as a brutal bloodsport. It is, but it's one that has a lot of...how do you say...finésse in regards to fighter vs fighter. As said before it's a very respectful sport and just like any other, takes a true sportsman to see it through.

rogue

I can definitely understand why people don't like MMA and find it as "horrific" as it seems. This is probably due in part because its played on national television for the entire public to see.

Boxing matches, are usually "pay per view" and you must be a mature audience. Any other time that they air on regular cable channels is late during the night when everyone's asleep.

Also on TV, the boxing matches aren't "IN YOUR FACE" so you rarely get to see all the blood and cuts developing.

In MMA and UFC though, the cameras are right outside of the octagon and you can see EVERYTHING, and on hi-def? You can see the blood and sweat everywhere.

It's unfortunate, but I'm sure thats the way that MMA people wanted to market it. They want it to be man's sport, and a man's television viewing program. Its not for the feint of heart.