Trouble in MMA Town (Cheap Shots, Brawls, and Taunting)

I recently attended a seminar on MMA style fighting that was presented by the Isshinryu Cross Training Associating. Besides the uncrontrollable (SP?) giggling caused by my BFF trying to roll my 250 lb. body over to pin, it was a fun and exciting class.

The sensei who ran the class had a good reason for us TMAs to look closer at MMA: every idiot in a bar watches this stuff and thinks he can do it. So you should look at it, learn what “they” can throw at you so you can defend yourself against it. It was a good argument and (giggling aside) one I took seriously.

“If MMA wants to be considered a martial art in the classical sense, these examples are moving them further and further away from the kind of character development and personal responsibility stressed in established arts.”

There's the rub — I don't think that it wants to. Part of the “MMA experience” is all the hype and soap opera trash-talking.

But you are correct re: sport like football. If it wants to get mainstream air time and mainstream advertisers it will have to clean up it's act. Otherwise it will probably stay on SPIKE TV along side the Deadliest Haircut.

-B

I really enjoy watching MMA but can't say I like most MMA fans. It seems like there's an entire image that goes along with it, and it's marketed to perpetuate this image, which attracts certain types of people; it seems to me that behaviour like this is to some extent, a symptom of this.

On a slight tangent – Machida lost… Waaaaaaah!!

You're probably right Bob-san. It doesn't seem like the character development 'mumbo jumbo' is a big priority right now, and yet people like Dana White keep talking about keeping respect and dignity in the art.

That's a tough combo if you ask me.

That sounds like a very valuable experience!

Yea I think they might be suffering from their own image building, like you said. Tough for Dana and the other execs to keep things under control and still get all the hype.

Also I agree – waaaah on the Machida loss. hahaha. Hoepfully this will spark him to get even better.

I agree that with MMA came the awareness for many “traditional’ martial artists (like myself) that grappling and blending various ranges/styles etc. cannot be overlooked.
UFC along with Dana White have done an incredible job in marketing MMA and within just years making it a household name. We’re even talking it about here, too.
And like you guys, I think they are doing a tightrope act by building/maintaining a certain image and trying to become mainstream like NFL (football).
Yet, I am very impressed with the outstanding skills and professionalism of a number of these amazing martial artists/athletes. Just stepping into The Octagon takes …… Talking and writing about them definitely doesn’t hurt as much. LOL

I agree with your description of MMA, but disagree with some of your conclusions. First, I dont believe that MMA “wants to be considered a martial art in the classical sense”. The MMA mentality is no different than that of Boxing, Wrestling (the real one), Kickboxing. Its first viewed as a sport. Many who do train MMA recognize it as Martial Arts, yet I dont believe there is a move to be considered so. Its in the name already! I wish that MMA focused more on the character building and instilling values, unfortunately, the fact is that this is not the case. At least not in the professional level. That is instilled when you first start out. I believe many do teach this, but recognize that many dont.

Although I dont disagree that the latest displays of ignorance hurt the sport, I dont believe they will have long lasting effects. Every other sport you mentioned, football, baseball, hockey, basketball and whatever else, has had and or will have they same time of incidents and problems. They still grew and continue to do so.

I am by no means invoking this type of behavior. But, its a behavior common to sports. Im perfectly sure that the UFC, Strikeforce and by default or other MMA organizations will tighten up on their fighters and their behavior. In the end, these incident will help make MMA better……if those in charge act intelligently!

Thanks for the great comments JKD! I'd just like to clarify that I didn't conclude that MMA wanted to be considered a martial art in the classical sense. I said “if”, as in – if some of the contenders and execs wanted to be viewed in that way, this was not a good series of events.

Oh well, then I apologize for misquoting you! I will further add that I wish MMA were seeking to be viewed in that manner, but unfortunately I dont think that is the way its headed. As the “sport” grows, more and more kids will train; lets hope that these values are instilled then, so that they may transfer to the sport in general. Since most MMA schools are out of Martial Arts academies, it seems hopeful. The major commercial MMA gyms are far and few between, yet they do also try to instill discipline. My son attend American Top Team Port St Lucie, and they do a great job. The Martial Arts spirits lives within MMA, just not as prevalent as we all would like. Thanks for your articles, and sharing your knowledge and wisdom! Great site!!!

No problem at all, I should have been a little clearer that I was being hypothetical there. Thanks again for being a part of the site.

You are definitely correct – I try to avoid becoming too much of a keyboard warrior when talking about these guys. Certainly it's tough sledding out there for them!

I think also we have to remember, as you said in your original post, that emotions run a little high in sparring. I've been known to engage in some pretty unsportsman-like behavior. I can still remember being told to “break” after I scored the winning point in a match, looking my BFF in the face and yelling at her, “Yah, Baby. That was MY point.” ::blush:: She didn't speak to me for several days and, I admit it, I deserved that.

Sensei tells stories about tournaments he participated in the '80s where riots broke out. (That's right, RIOTS.) I remember thinking “what a bunch of idiots” when he told us about them. Then, at one match, someone took a swing at BFF's head after the head judge called stop. And, I felt a rush of anger I had never experienced before. (Until that moment, I thought “seeing red” was just an expression.) I told BFF later I had almost wanted her to lose the match so I could have my chance at her opponent. (Again, I blush.)

Although my behavior embarrasses me, at least during these calmer moments, I can UNDERSTAND how name calling and cheap shots can come out. I openly struggle with the whole mental/spiritual aspect of karate. But, at least I TRY to struggle with it. If that makes sense.

Maybe we should be honest with ourselves and others about how easy it is to let these baser emotions and actions loose. Talk about how easy it is to lose control during those moments. But not to excuse the bad behavior. More to show, this is something small and petty that we all feel, but we're better people and athletes when we don't give into it.

For a detailed look at my opinions regarding MMA perhaps you might take a few minutes and check out my series of articles called, “MMA vs Traditions” – Parts 1 thru 4 on “Martial Arts Insider” at http://ricpascetta.com. Feel free to leave your comments and opinions. My best to all Martial Artists and my hats off to this blog for a job well done with very interesting posts and responses.

Pascetta Sensei,

Many thanks for checking out this article and my blog! I will definitely peruse the mma vs traditions articles you have created.

Best,
Matt