10 April 2012
Here's a brief blog. I'm a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA). Like other sports, it's a contact sport.
It is not human cockfighting. It is in fact, well regulated by rules, governed and sanctioned by athletic state commissions.
I watch MMA because it's entertaining and exciting- I enjoy watching the struggle between the fighters; whether it's the fluid transitioning of jiu-jitsu submissions, the setup for a KO, or the enduring coast for a unanimous decision win.
Notice I said fighter. These 'mixed martial artists' are professionals being paid to literally beat each other up and win, bluntly.
"It's sick". And it sure is when you see so much blood- check out UFC: Shogun v Henderson if you want a scare.
You may think I contradicted myself saying it's not human cockfighting, but the point and reality is; it's still a sport, and the world's fasting growing one too.
Often, and such is the case, when a new viewer watches an MMA match and sees signs of blood or pain, they are quick to judge the sport being too violent and disregard any coherent rebuttals regarding stoppages, what's allowed and what not.
An important question I always think to myself when watching MMA is; what am I watching for? In the West, the sport is dominated by the forms of wrestling ('lay n pray' can especially be boring to watch'), striking and clinch work (Boxing and Muay Thai) and ground game (Brazilian Jiu-jitsu). One could say the traditional forms that originate from the Far East are lost. Such is the nature of competitive mixed martial arts- it's the evolution and the adaptation of the most dominant forms. Therefore, the typical MMA fan like myself would look for, or expect finishes complimenting the forms the fighter specialises in. Such as a striker getting a KO, or a submission artist sinking in a kimura.
Ask yourself what entertains you when you watch sport or other entertainment/ art. Is it the particular style, the precision, the action, the atmosphere that satisfies you?
Also think of how accessible it is, and why someone who may be new will have difficulty having interest.
Not only this, but reflect on the actions you do- how you judge people or other things with more caution, thought and integrity.
MMA • Opuss № I