I said I dont criticise others or the sport

I just see it as thuggery – on roids

most atheltes are banned for 2 years for performance enhancing drugs

these guys are give like $2000 fines and 6 month bans!!

considering what there is probabaly only 100 or so top ranked fighters in the world thats a lot of positive tests

You have strange definition of a critiscm then.

Ok, so there’s been 23 fighters convicted of drug abuse since 2002 throughout all of MMA, not just the UFC. 60% of those actually lost their fights. At this point in time there is about 400 odd active fighters in the UFC alone and add to all the K1, Pride and Strikeforce fighters and you have quite a large number of active fighters. If you want to include every fighter since 2002 it’s going to be much more again.

Averaging 3 positive tests per year out of all of those fighters is hardly a high percentage. I’m sure nearly all competitive sports would have similar numbers to that.

You can stop using logical fallacies to make a point as well. Nearly all convicted were given at least 12 months suspension – some were reduced if there were other factors at play and only after being appealed and reviewed (this is no different to any other sport). $2500 for some of these guys (especially a couple of years ago) was a lot of money… also, they get paid per fight, so being suspended is a further financial punishment.

Look, as I’ve already said, if you don’t like it that’s fine. But don’t expect me to sit quiet when people falsely group the entire sport into a “thuggery on roids” category, when it’s clearly only a small handful doing the wrong thing. This is no different with any sport. You seemed compelled to make false assumptions and judgments on something you have little knowledge about, illustrated perfectly by this comment; “anyways when we see this guys in 5 years with slured speech and brain acquired dementia then maybe we will view differently”, so as I said earlier, if you want to criticize the sport, perhaps do some research and learn a bit more than just whatever your first impressions were.

Wanting it taken off TV is whole other issue regarding censorship and this country turning in to a nanny-state which I won’t get in to…

http://www.golflink.com.au/…

research – please what is there to research?

Guys beat the livin crap out of each other and people – mostly men with big fat beer guts and young people get their jollies off watching it

have I missed something….?

please answer something for me – why do enjoy seeing people beat each to a pulp?

what does that do for you?

and yes youre getting angry – no one else is

Do you watch boxing, Dave?

Dave, can I ask you a hypothetical question?
what if one of the young men you were counseling says he is going to take up MMA, what would you think?
you would say no you don’t like that and that you think he is a sad person for finding it entertaining right?
but what if it meant he was off the streets doing his petty, or not so petty crimes but getting off all drugs and alcohol and going to the gym 6 days a week where he may have a chance to turn his life around, learn some respect for himself, learn what it is like to trust again, learn what it is like to be taking responsibility for himself again, learn what it’s like to have commitment for something positive?
what if MMA was an outlet to change one young man’s life for the better?
you’re right, I’d say no too….

research – please what is there to research?

Guys beat the livin crap out of each other and people – mostly men with big fat beer guts and young people get their jollies off watching it

have I missed something….?

please answer something for me – why do enjoy seeing people beat each to a pulp?

what does that do for you?

and yes youre getting angry – no one else is

As i’ve said countless times – It’s ok you don’t like it… Just don’t come in here throwing out false claims to try and justify your choice of not enjoying this sport…

Although it’s hard to explain, especially when you’re pulling wool over your eyes, I’ll have a go at answering your question anyway.

It’s not, as you put it, just about two people beating each other to a bloody pulp, it’s so much more than that. Interest in hand to hand combat goes back to basically the very dawn of civilisation. In general, men have always had in interest in warfare and this is just the most basic of that.

Hurting your opponent is not the objective. Does your opponent get hurt if you are victorious, well yes, but that doesn’t mean it’s the sole purpose of doing battle.

I won’t go too much in to this because as I mentioned earlier you have an extremely misconceived view of what this sport is about and I can’t imagine anything any of us will say will make you understand….

I never said I wasn’t angry, so not sure why thought to bring that up. I certainly was annoyed that you’d make outlandish remarks that held no truth to them about a sport you know little about.

Just to reiterate (again) – You don’t like it. Fine. Don’t watch it. But don’t judge others and call these men “thugs” just because you don’t like the sport they participate in.

Hurting is clearly the objective – its how you win!!

Hurting is clearly the objective – its how you win!!

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

Rather obvious really. Maybe in Crrack’s sanitised version of MMA combatants are scared into surrendering or they pretend to be hurt, bleeding or KO’d.

research – please what is there to research?

Guys beat the livin crap out of each other and people – mostly men with big fat beer guts and young people get their jollies off watching it

have I missed something….?

please answer something for me – why do enjoy seeing people beat each to a pulp?

what does that do for you?

and yes youre getting angry – no one else is

Just to reiterate (again) – You don’t like it. Fine. Don’t watch it. But don’t judge others and call these men “thugs” just because you don’t like the sport they participate in.

http://www.golflink.com.au/…

Nonsense. Although I’m not for the trading of personal insults. People are entitled to debate whatever they wish and express their opinion whatever that may be. To suggest that someone who wishes to pass a negative comment against MMA is not permitted to do so is ludicrous. Hello totalitarian state …

“kinda sad some find this out and out violence as entertainment”, “men with big fat beer guts”, “thuggery on roids”

Not critical of the sport or others? The above must be terms of endearment.

Not everyone’s cup of tea clearly; but condemning others for their choices is a bit rich.

Davo.

Mixed martial arts.

Grapplers vs strikers and all the different shades and permutations that particular combative styles bring into the ring makes it a very compelling sport to watch if you understand the techniques and skill it takes to execute these disciplines under duress. Factor in physiological differences, each fighters proficiency in learning secondary and tertiary styles to supplement their primary style and you get a bout filled with endless possibilities.

Of course it looks like two thugs bludgeoning one another to the untrained eye. Much like golf looks like a bunch of ponces whacking a little white ball around the place. Everything seems silly if the understanding and appreciation isn’t there. Relativity. Like gravity, it surrounds us but not always apparent.

Nice GG

I enjoy it because I have practiced martial arts for years and I appreciate how incredible these athletes are. People competing in combat sports is as old as time. And they have almost always involved people getting hurt.

Why do people step in the ring? So many reasons. From being thugs to being artists. From wanting to hurt other people to wanting to test themselves against other incredibly trained and talented people. And everything in between.

Why do people watch. For the blood. And for the artistry and athleticism and courage.

In my experience in martial arts the thugs and blood side is not only a minority but also often a group who lack the discipline to get to the top level.

The Romans thought it was a good fun sport watching people get chased around by lions.

Barbaric sports are on there way out for mainstream audiences. Boxing at the Olympics has them wearing head protection. It gets virtually no tv time just like the other martial arts and wrestling during the Olympics.

All are very much niche sports that the vast majority of the population could not care less about therefore the sponsors could not care about and thus will dwindle in popularity in the long run.

What self respecting parent would encourage their child to pursue a cage fighting career?

My observation is that competitors are either new immigrants looking to better themselves or from the fringes of society, possibly with criminal records straight from the trailer park or ghettos. Pretty similar profile to boxing? Takes you back to the lion feeding the Romans loved.

The Romans thought it was a good fun sport watching people get chased around by lions.

Barbaric sports are on there way out for mainstream audiences. Boxing at the Olympics has them wearing head protection. It gets virtually no tv time just like the other martial arts and wrestling during the Olympics.

All are very much niche sports that the vast majority of the population could not care less about therefore the sponsors could not care about and thus will dwindle in popularity in the long run.

What self respecting parent would encourage their child to pursue a cage fighting career?

My observation is that competitors are either new immigrants looking to better themselves or from the fringes of society, possibly with criminal records straight from the trailer park or ghettos. Pretty similar profile to boxing? Takes you back to the lion feeding the Romans loved.

Play it as it lies, get on with it, its not life or death, its just a game!

Or watching gladiators maim, hack and kill each other.
Good point about the parents. If you’re a supporter of cage fighting ask yourself would you be happy for your kids to be in there.

All possibly true but while the sport is meandering to it’s own slow death that doesn’t mean the people who either, don’t care, or even find it objectionable should actively seek to remove the sport from TV.

They have options on their remote control that allow them to exercise their choice.

I would hope a loving parent would support their child’s ambition and help mop up any mistakes.

I don’t have a problem with it being on TV per se, each to their own if adults want to watch it. What concerns me is the possibility of kids watching it and seeing ads for in general viewing time.
The jury is still out and research is ongoing about the effect of TV and video game violence on our society, youth in particular.

Are you guys just making stuff up? If you don’t like it and don’t watch it how can you have any useful observation as to the people who participate.

Boxing and the martial arts at the Olympics may be unpopular compared to athletics and swimming. But that is only at the Olympics. In every other aspect of sports across the other 204 weeks of the 4 year period between Olympics viewing of boxing, MMA and Kickboxing vastly outweighs viewing of the other Olympic sports.

As for what sort of parent would want their kid in contact fighting sports, lots. Thousands of children go to boxing, karate, Kickboxing, ju jutsu, wrestling and other contact sports and martial arts every week. You can say and think whatever you want about them, that’s your prerogative. My prerogative is to say that you are judgemental and ignorant. Millions and millions of people over thousands of years have developed as people and as the people who protect their families and communities through these martial arts. So I’ll continue to enjoy and appreciate those who choose to test their bodies, minds and hearts against each other.

I guess I see it as a question of; at what age do kids need to see the violent and even cruel side of humanity?

Some things I can easily explain to my 7yo son and sports such as boxing, judo etc that contain combativeness and controlled violence help with that explanation.

The cage fighting is probably a bit extreme at 7 but he has seen the ads. I treat it like training wheels for the real horror that unfolds on the 6 O’clock news : )

Video games are a whole other thing; I try to get him out fishing : )

Are you guys just making stuff up? If you don’t like it and don’t watch it how can you have any useful observation as to the people who participate.

Boxing and the martial arts at the Olympics may be unpopular compared to athletics and swimming. But that is only at the Olympics. In every other aspect of sports across the other 204 weeks of the 4 year period between Olympics viewing of boxing, MMA and Kickboxing vastly outweighs viewing of the other Olympic sports.

As for what sort of parent would want their kid in contact fighting sports, lots. Thousands of children go to boxing, karate, Kickboxing, ju jutsu, wrestling and other contact sports and martial arts every week. You can say and think whatever you want about them, that’s your prerogative. My prerogative is to say that you are judgemental and ignorant. Millions and millions of people over thousands of years have developed as people and as the people who protect their families and communities through these martial arts. So I’ll continue to enjoy and appreciate those who choose to test their bodies, minds and hearts against each other.

Started 2012 on unofficial 17, achieved 12 – 2013 target single figures
Inaugural Official Handicapper and Treasurer of the SEQ Golf Guys

Lots of children do these sports but mostly in a completely non contact way and will never enter a fight arena. The minority do that, each to their own I guess.

Censorship and guidance that any one provides their children is their prerogative. Who am I or anyone to dictate the restriction of free media to anyone else? Why is even censorship in question? Besides, as much as you can try and provide guidance, shit just happens, ask Forrest Gump , he’ll tell you.

I have grown up playing computer games since the 80’s, violent or otherwise. People have grown up watching hack and slash movies since Alfred Hitchcock brought fame to the genre. Those whom are inclined to inflict violence have a predisposition either through nature, nurture or any combination thereof. Most kids that play these games forget about the blood and gore and tend to focus more on mastering technical proficiency and being good at the game.

How about trying to explain the senseless shootings and murders etc that keep popping up on the news?

Shanks you haven’t seen junior tournaments?
Protective gear is a must and much stricter rules for awarding wins and reducing the chances of injury. Sure, you can dislike contact sports, thats also your choice. Just take comfort in the fact that everyone is different and that’s what keeps this world turning.

all good points

I would like heavier restrictions on when this stuff is put on TV and what rating it recieves

trickshot mentioned possiibility of kids watching it.

Itrs interesting we have pretty heavy restrictions on what video games young people can play whereas I think MMA and UFC stuff is more damaging as its real people trying to beat each other to a pulp….

I think we have the wrong way around

All possibly true but while the sport is meandering to it’s own slow death

Well considering Manny Pacquio earned more than $25 million for his last fight I’d beg to differ.

Here we are thinking Rory is doing well getting that in one year. How about that for 30 minutes work.

Combat sports (especially MMA/UFC) are only becoming more popular.

you didn’t answer my question

why do you like it so much? what does it do for you?

and the sole purpose is to hurt the opponent

you cant win unless this occurs….I mean I havent seen anyone just go …yeah mate sorry YOU win….

the simple dont watch it and pretend its not happening is fine but that means the discussion doesnt end….

All possibly true but while the sport is meandering to it’s own slow death

Well considering Manny Pacquio earned more than $25 million for his last fight I’d beg to differ.

Here we are thinking Rory is doing well getting that in one year. How about that for 30 minutes work.

Combat sports (especially MMA/UFC) are only becoming more popular.

http://www.golflink.com.au/…

Yep there are plenty of idiots?? paying for the pleasure to watch this “sport”. I assume he gets a % of the pay for view revenue.

you didn’t answer my question

why do you like it so much? what does it do for you?

and the sole purpose is to hurt the opponent

you cant win unless this occurs….I mean I havent seen anyone just go …yeah mate sorry YOU win….

the simple dont watch it and pretend its not happening is fine but that means the discussion doesnt end….

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

I’m pretty sure I already did.

I never said they try and avoid hurting each other. I just said, that’s not the sole purpose of why they chose to participate.

Of course there are a few who will only fight just so they can hurt someone.. But that’s not the motivation behind the majority of fighters and you’ll find the guys that go out with that mentality don’t last long in the sport.

This concept is what I assume you can’t comprehend. Which is fine. Just stop insulting the athletes and fans who enjoy the sport based off of your ignorant misconceptions.

you didn’t answer my question

why do you like it so much? what does it do for you?

and the sole purpose is to hurt the opponent

you cant win unless this occurs….I mean I havent seen anyone just go …yeah mate sorry YOU win….

the simple dont watch it and pretend its not happening is fine but that means the discussion doesnt end….

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

....and you didn’t answer my question, would you support a young man you deal with if he was going to give up drugs and alcohol to get off the streets and train under the guidance of a professional leaning about self respect and discipline?