Tyson may die in the ring.
- This shit is a joke.
MMA and boxing are forms of human barbarism that should not exist. Punching a person into submission should no longer be an acceptable entertainment option of civilized humans. You’d think after several thousand years that mankind would have advanced to a higher level of comportment rather than enjoying gladiatorial violence.
This comment has been embedded in mind for over fifty years after reading one of the most interesting books I ever read. I suspect few of you have read Phillip Wylie’s Generation of Vipers, but it was extremely popular duing the 1950’s. Wylie was a gifted a writer who predicted dystopia resulting from atomic warfare before the first atomic blast. Further, he wrote extensively of future environmental degradation resulting in widespread famine and human suffering. Wylie wrote the original Gladiator. Wylie was a very proflific writer both of fiction and social criticism. Many movies were based on his works. His description of boxing remained with me these many years.
I think Warden would enjoy Generation of Vipers. Even today, it’s dated but still a good read by a really smart guy. Wylie lived many years in Miami.
It took me a bit to think about this and to playfully structure the response in a specific manner. Inherently, I wanted to defend my position but also wanted to take some time to introspectively wander around in my noggin’ to see if maybe I’m just wrong. Over the last 5-6 years, I’ve trained heavily in Jujitsu, and started Judo and Muay Thai and each has been integral to some internal struggle, allowing me to grow. The fight, itself, is of much less importance than the training and comradery involved. Also, I wanted to provide a more ostentatious structured response considering who I’m responding to.
First, I do not believe fighting sports are barbarism any more than football is. It would be an easy route to show the physical dangers of football, CTE statistics, etc., and relay a basic comparison being that boxing and even more so, MMA is highly regulated with medical staff on reserve. Football is measurably more dangerous than both, even boxing. In MMA, fights are stopped, by and large, far quicker than in boxing which can allow for a fighter to continue on while suffering from a concussion. That will seldom happen in MMA, kickboxing, jujitsu, judo or even Muay Thai.
It is a compelling question, however. When we say “barbaric”, we are overlooking the many layers these sports represent. Historically, humans have gravitated towards activities that challenge physical limits and explore conflict. Fighting sports today are heavily regulated and emphasize sportsmanship and discipline. These fighters work on mastering the complex techniques that go beyond simple violence, relying on skill, control and strategy. Moreover, non-casual fans typically appreciate the sports not for the violence itself, but for the athleticism, resilience and psychology involved. Fighters are’t just respected for being “tough” but as disciplined athletes who have dedicated themselves to the craft.
While its true they tap into primal instincts, that’s not all they represent.
From a casual viewer who has never trained in any of these disciplines, I can understand how what you see from a basic bare-knuckle fight at a bar relates to an MMA fight, but they aren’t even in the same realm. One is definitely a barbaric outburst of primal energy while the other is a celebration of human resilience and mastery of the art. I’ve found most men who have never trained have little respect for the crafts discussed, and think they can unleash the beast inside and compete with a trained fighter; the outcome almost always inevitably proves them wrong, as their raw aggression is no match for the precision, technique, and composure that only years of dedicated training can bring. In the face of a skilled fighter, the untrained realize that true strength isn’t just about brute force—it’s about control, strategy, and mastery over oneself. Two untrained men fighting is barbarism. I can dig it. Two skilled fighters who’ve spent decades learning their craft is art, manifested as a choreography of strength, precision, and strategy- a dynamic display of human potential where each move is deliberate, calculated and honed through years of dedication.
To MMA is human cock fighting. Never been a fan of it. I will not watch it. A great boxing fight between a Mayweather vs. Pacquio now that to me is something I will watch. I have never paid for one MMA fight. I have never gone to a bar voluntarily and watched it.
The only thing I would say is if I was boxing, I would go out and hire Dana White. Guy took a sport which was nothing and turned it into the WWF. Boxing would be wise to bring White in even if it was as a consultant.
Warden, you don’t need to train to like the sport. Each to their own…MMA will never be a sport I go out of my way to watch. Seeing two men wrestle around a mat or throw elbows to someone head is not something I am into. You can tell me how skilled each guy is. I am never going to deny that these guys bust their asses. Does not mean I have to like it.
Again, only to someone who’s never trained in any of the disciplines. Football seems barbaric to someone who’s never played the sport and statistically, is substantially more so than either boxing or MMA. I’ll readily admit that I am biased and even watch wrestling, jujitsu, and Muay Thai events quite regularly. Though, I’ve found I need it. Maybe everyone doesn’t, but I need to fight and fight regularly. It heals me and calms me. Maybe that does make me barbaric, despite my opinion. Though, the calmest and nicest guys I know are killers in the gym.
This fucking nerd would kill us all
If you need to fight to calm yourself, you may want to see someone. I used to get into fights all the time when I was younger. Adults should not be fighting. First off you get into a fight and kick someones ass (like Skeeter) they will go out and get a gun. Times have changed.
Dude, that seems like you’re equating competition with a bar fight. Unless you experience it, I can’t explain enough to you how they aren’t the same thing at all. Fighting outside of the gym I think is immature and doesn’t hold much validity unless you’re defending your family. But, fighting sports as a competition is healthy, an art form and I think the highest level of sport. Only once in all the years of training was there even a single individual who took things personally and there wasn’t mutual respect on the mats…he was a cop with a bad attitude. It’s surprising how many cops are in Jujitsu and how routinely bad they are at it. He was a big bully and I’m a little dude at 5’9" 190. He learned. He quit.
Outside of training the only thing that truly calmed my mind was fishing. Live music works sometimes.
But, there is something special about lining up and going toe to toe for 6 minute intervals
It is human cock fighting. We are not going to agree on it. I have two friends who if they got into the sport would seriously hurt people. Why, because both will go to the death. Neither guy cares if they die in a fight. My buddy Timmi works security at a club on the beach and I have seen video of him knocking a guy out with a head butt. He is skilled at kicking peoples ass…But I am not into it. You can tell me how much of a sport it is. You can tell me how skilled it is.
Excellent, well conceived response, Warden. I can appreciate training in martial arts. What disturbs me are audiences lusting for blood. I perceive boxing being worse than MMA even though it requires considerable expertise. The problem is that people’s heads were not designed to endure constant impact. Too many people wind up maimed for life. At least in football, players have scientifically engineered helmets.
While I talk of barbarism, I unfortunately confess to enjoying combat spectacles, even while knowing it shouldn’t be allowed. I am sure, Warden, you’ll be compelled to call me a hypocrite, and in this case, I’d agree with you.
Nah, whatever we think doesn’t matter. Jujitsu or wrestling might be more your speed. I tender to prefer grappling matches…much less change to get hurt and much more skill. Anyone has a puncher’s chance standing up, but when you get to the ground there is about a 0.000001% chance if you haven’t trained that you won’t me manhandled like a puppy. Regardless, none of us have to agree on anything.
I dig it. MMA is by far my favorite sport. It’s not going anywhere
There are always brawlers who come in and think they’re going to prove everyone wrong and their fury will prevail. They get put on the ground and rolled into a ball and choked out within 30 seconds usually. It’s inevitable. Everybody bends, everybody has arteries that when compressed put you to sleep in 4-6 seconds. Most people have no idea what to do on the ground. If they REALLY want to find where they stand, they get the coach -3 time world champion. Unless you’re one of the handful best in the sport, he’s impossible.
or they can have his little brother Pedro or Steffen, who was the top ranked brown belt in the world and most awarded brown belt in BJJ history
People don’t fair well.