Fight Science

T-Bone · 01-27-2008, 02:02 PM

Tonight 8pm EST - should be interesting. I remember seeing this show a while back when they compared the impact and consequences of strikes from different methods. It was pretty cool so I'm going to record tonight's episode.

Quote:

Dr. Cindy Bir wasn’t a fan of mixed martial arts before she started working on the new installment of “Fight Science.“

But after getting to know MMA luminaries Randy Couture, Bas Rutten, Tito Ortiz and Dean Lister, the associate professor of biomechanical engineering at Wayne State University started to appreciate their understanding of the human machine and how they came to it. “They learned the hard way,” she said.

Bir is one of three researchers at work in the Fight Science studio. Developed to measure the destructive power of so-called traditional martial artists for the first episode of the show, the studio is part laboratory, part gym, and part television studio. Two years after the first special aired, “Fight Science” returns at 8 p.m. ET, Jan. 27 on the National Geographic channel to subject MMA to the same scrutiny.

What the researchers learned surprised them.

“Fight Science: Mixed Martial Arts” sets out to measuring the power and accuracy of MMA fighters’ punches and kicks, exploring the mechanics of grappling, and examining the fighters’ physiological makeup.

Although rarely afforded the same respect as traditional martial artists, the MMA fighters exerted force that routinely exceeded the researchers expectations and surpassed the benchmarks set by masters of Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Muay Thai and boxing in the first show. After Rutten unleashed a ferocious kick, the crew was incredulous and asked him to try again. Amused and annoyed, Rutten blasted the dummy even harder.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” said longtime friend and sparring partner Couture, “he kicks like a mule.“

The test results are impressive, but in a fight there are countless factors mitigating the power of a strike; poor footing or a quick defensive slip can turn a knockout punch into a glancing blow. “A static target is not the ideal way of measuring” force exerted during a fight, said Bir. But it’s the best tool researchers have at their disposal until the Wayne State lab finishes developing equipment and techniques for analyzing real-time fight action.

The hour-long show features a succinct overview of the sport but offers interesting tidbits for knowledgeable fans throughout. The researchers use high-speed cameras to allow viewers to watch techniques unfold in slow-motion detail. Three-dimensional digital avatars are produced through motion-capture technology to demonstrate the internal effects of various impacts and joint manipulations. Informative and entertaining, these graphics add depth to the production.

Quality programs such as “Fight Science” speak to MMA’s increasing popularity and credibility with the general public. It’s an enjoyable hour of television for “TUF noobs” and veteran fans alike — one that serious fans will likely acquire on DVD and file alongside UFC and PRIDE discs.

“Fight Science” on National Geographic — An MMAjunkie.com Review -- MMAjunkie.com

OneTwoPunch · 01-27-2008, 02:48 PM

I'll watch it.

lwbfl · 01-27-2008, 05:12 PM

The first one was pretty awesome. All the guys at my gym wrote in with suggestions for a second show from fighters and experienced martial artist views. They contacted some of us, and it will be interesting to see if they used any of our ideas. Awesome show, I'll add it to my archives for sure!

giguer · 01-27-2008, 06:38 PM

Why I don't have that channel damn

AikaImmortal · 01-27-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giguer

Why I don't have that channel damn

I recently got it. I don't know if any network in Canada carries it.. .write the fight network and see?

OneTwoPunch · 01-27-2008, 09:05 PM

I watched it. It was pretty good.

takenover · 01-27-2008, 09:14 PM

It was good. I liked when they had Bas redo his body kick because they didnt believe the numbers. He also hit harder than a heavy weight boxer.

MTKrav911 · 01-28-2008, 12:07 AM

It was very interesting. I especially liked it when Bas Rutten kicked the dummy and had 800 more pounds of pressure in his kick than a Muay Thai champion.

In fact the doctor didnt believe Rutten kicked that hard, and the Doctor thought there was a malfunction, so he made Rutten kicke it again, and he kicked it like 150 lbs even harder than the first time.

It was fascinating.

Jenkins83 · 01-28-2008, 12:33 AM

Yeah, that was great. I wonder what one of Cro Cop's kicks would have measured.

T-Bone · 01-28-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTKrav911

It was very interesting. I especially liked it when Bas Rutten kicked the dummy and had 800 more pounds of pressure in his kick than a Muay Thai champion.

In fact the doctor didnt believe Rutten kicked that hard, and the Doctor thought there was a malfunction, so he made Rutten kicke it again, and he kicked it like 150 lbs even harder than the first time.

It was fascinating.

Bas turned it up a notch the second time around...good stuff.

2.7" of deflection from the kick - holy crap! 69mm for our metric friends.

T-Bone · 01-28-2008, 09:31 AM

I wonder if the UFC is going to sue Randy and/or National Geographic for airing the show.

MTKrav911 · 01-28-2008, 02:33 PM

Also fascinating was when they measured one of Tito ORtiz's slams and the female doctor was looking at Tito with this WTF look on her face and he said something like

'Dont feel bad, I do 1000 sit ups a day to be able to do that'.

Classic.

T-Bone · 01-28-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTKrav911

Also fascinating was when they measured one of Tito ORtiz's slams and the female doctor was looking at Tito with this WTF look on her face and he said something like

'Dont feel bad, I do 1000 sit ups a day to be able to do that'.

Classic.

Yeah, that was good. Bas' left hook was a lot more powerful than Tito's right elbow. I wonder if Tito was pissed.

Did you watch the Special Ops episode that was on after it?

MuStAnG12687 · 01-28-2008, 02:45 PM

One of my favorite parts was looking at Randy's face after he pounded the dummy senseless...he just seemed so happy!

basslogic4003 · 01-28-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuStAnG12687

One of my favorite parts was looking at Randy's face after he pounded the dummy senseless...he just seemed so happy!

It's not nice to call Big Tim a dummy

I missed the MMA one, DVR'd that shiz. The special forces episode was interesting, but I'm psyched about watching Bas kick the stuffing out of an impact dummy!

giguer · 01-28-2008, 11:15 PM

Stop talking about that, I don't see it and unable to watch it

pickman30 · 01-28-2008, 11:31 PM

I thought the show was great. I loved it when Randy walked off with the Dummies arm.

It was also interesting to learn about the kicks. I've been watching MMA for years, did a little Karate early on in my life and I'm ashamed to say that I didn't know that fighters were purposely using their shins when they kick. I guess I always thought they were just missing. Anyway I do a little boxing and some kicks at home with my banana bag and I tried to kick it with my shin. It DOES NOT feel good.

Mickey Finn · 01-28-2008, 11:43 PM

this sounds interesting. if it comes up on the internet anywhere can you post me a link, that would be great

T-Bone · 01-29-2008, 10:25 AM

not great quality but I think you can find some of it on youtube...

put in

fight science: mixed martial arts

giguer · 01-29-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone

not great quality but I think you can find some of it on youtube...

put in

fight science: mixed martial arts

Outch for the quality loll.

But great find