The Growing Popularity of MMA

TITO · 07-13-2006, 02:28 AM

There is no denying that MMA is more popular now than ever before. Americans all over the country are finally beginning to respect and understand the concept of MMA and the UFC is pretty much the reason for it.

I think it is only a matter of time before MMA becomes a sport in highschools and colleges all over the country. As more and more people are starting to train at the local BJJ or AKA dojos people are finally beginning to recognize this as a sport and not just some barbaric act of no-holds barred brawling.

Recently ESPN recognized the UFC by posting an article on their website about the recent PPV. If ESPN jumps on the MMA bandwagon the popularity and respect for MMA will increase two-fold. A lot of the media still tries to portray MMA as barbaric and gruesome, but I really think that if ESPN begins to give MMA the respect it deserves that entire concept will fall through and people all over the country will start watching and begin to see MMA as the sport it is.

What do you guys think? What will it take for the media and country to stop being ignorant and recognize MMA as the sport it is? Does anyone else think it's only a matter of time before MMA is recognized as a sport at the collegiate and highschool levels? What else can be done to increase the popularity of MMA and get people to understand and respect the sport?

I remember a few years ago it was rare to find someone else that trains in BJJ or kickboxing. It was a good feeling being one of the few guys that actually knows how to fight. Nowadays it seems like every other person trains. I truly believe that it is only a matter of time before MMA training is common amongst teens and adults.

Flying Triangle Choke · 07-13-2006, 02:30 AM

I don't think MMA will ever be totally accepted. There will always be people who view it as barbaric, dangerous, etc. Sometimes that is due to ignorance about the sport, but more often it is due to personal taste. Some people just don't like the idea of two people beating on each other for sport.

TITO · 07-13-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughespowerslam

I don't think MMA will ever be totally accepted. There will always be people who view it as barbaric, dangerous, etc. Sometimes that is due to ignorance about the sport, but more often it is due to personal taste. Some people just don't like the idea of two people beating on each other for sport.

I agree to an extent but it is easy for the educated MMA follower to argue that boxing is more barbaric than MMA and look how popular that sport is. The average person obviously won't agree with this because they haven't studied MMA but if the media can teach the people I think MMA will become more accepted.

Flying Triangle Choke · 07-13-2006, 02:39 AM

Of course. But the problem is not only the lack of educated MMA followers, but most people that aren't into it aren't interested in being educated about it either. I agree with you that boxing is probably more dangerous. But for the casual person, if they see a clip from an MMA fight, especially on a biased news program or something, they'll assume the worst.

Jras0001 · 07-13-2006, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughespowerslam

I don't think MMA will ever be totally accepted. There will always be people who view it as barbaric, dangerous, etc. Sometimes that is due to ignorance about the sport, but more often it is due to personal taste. Some people just don't like the idea of two people beating on each other for sport.

You have a point and you're right, some people just won't accept it. But the same can be said for boxing and wrestling, there are still people out there that want boxing either outlawed or the rules changes so much that the fighters would almost have no chance of actually being hurt. Needless to say that either would kill boxing for good. I dont think that its a bad thing necessarily that not everyone accepts mma as a sport but I think enough will that it wont matter either way. There simply is too much money and prestige to be made in the sport, which is still in its infancy compared to other sports, to simply be overlooked or discarded.

Bomber · 07-13-2006, 10:13 AM

Most high schools where I live have abandoned football because it's too dangerous. There are wrestling programs, but no boxing. I'm quite certain that MMA will never be introduced to high schools in Northern Ontario.

SWIBC · 07-13-2006, 11:21 AM

sorta on the same topic, MMAWeekly has an article talking about the PPV success rate of UFC since 2005 and the huge increase in 2006 with roughly 60 millions made off of PPV sales. Ole Dana better start paying his fighters some now with the money that appears to be floating around due to the popularity. Also if the word is official and some Pride fighters are coming to the UFC the November Event could break some records.

DrumzCT · 07-13-2006, 01:40 PM

I think as more and more people train, the public will get to know MMA athletes personally and see that most of them are good people who are not violence addicted barbarians.

I've got alot of guys at my church from ages 18 to 50's into MMA now and they get the pay per views now because I came to church with a black eye once and they asked me about it so I told them about training. They already knew me personally and knew what kind of person I was so that kind of opened them up to the idea.

stillstanding · 07-13-2006, 09:16 PM

I live in Texas and we are known for our brutality in football. Even though I believe that MMA teaches so much about an individual, I dont think that schools will except for the reason that they think it will cause fighting in other areas. Do I think that the UFC will go really mainstream with ESPN.....VERY SOON< VERY SOON!