Dewey's Diva
07-17-2006, 07:22 PM
http://durantdemocrat.com/articles/2006/07/1/sports/sports_columnists/sport03.txt
Mixed martial arts could grow with some credibility
Beau Simmons
While no one has asked me to, or even suggested it, I've come up with some ideas to add credibility to the top level of mixed martial arts. For some reason, I'm starting to get into it.
No, not actually get into, as in compete (it looks like it would hurt). Get into it, as in starting to dig it, become more interested.
I'll try to explain this thing. Mixed martial arts is sort of the generic term for the no-holds barred, fighting sport which gets most attention from brands Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride.
That's really part of the problem, and my main concern. The UFC has sort of become like Band-Aid. People ask for Band-Aids for minor scrapes rather than asking for an adhesive bandage.
MMA is less recognizable than the brand UFC.
The sport has gained legitimacy, but lacks credibility. It took a big step in popularity, when UFC president Dana White took over and added things like timed rounds, and judge's decision if no knockout, technical knockout or submission decided the fight. Pride, another organization followed on the coattails of UFC.
With two completely separate organizations, recognizing their own title belts, it becomes harder to give individual fighters the star power that could make MMA even more popular.
While boxing is unified, meaning the Heavyweight champion of the world, is at that time recognized as the best fighter in the world, MMA is driven by each organization. It's run more like professional wrestling.
For the sport to grow it has to be unified.
One title holder for each weight class.
A ranking system has to be put in place, so people can determine who has the right to a title shot. Not that the rankings are all too legitimate in boxing. Popularity and which fights drive the most ticket sales and ratings, still determines most matchups in boxing, and that's not likely to change.
A major problem now, is that a UFC fighter loses his belt if he takes a contract with Pride.
There's no way to determine which of the fighters, especially the light heavyweight, which is saturated with the best fighters, is on top of the sport.
I know none of that is likely to happen, because it most likely means that the stockholders for each organization would lose money. The only thing worse than getting hit in the chin, is getting hit in the wallet.
The attraction is there. With little publicity the Choctaw Coliseum had a good audience for its first mixed martial arts bouts held a few months ago. Sure the place was about 90 percent dudes, and I'd be surprised if many women have made it this far into the column. If you have congratulations, you've earned elite status in my book.
That young, male audience is, however, the most sought after by the advertising industry. MMA could grow, but its going to take a dose of credibility to do so.
Mixed martial arts could grow with some credibility
Beau Simmons
While no one has asked me to, or even suggested it, I've come up with some ideas to add credibility to the top level of mixed martial arts. For some reason, I'm starting to get into it.
No, not actually get into, as in compete (it looks like it would hurt). Get into it, as in starting to dig it, become more interested.
I'll try to explain this thing. Mixed martial arts is sort of the generic term for the no-holds barred, fighting sport which gets most attention from brands Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride.
That's really part of the problem, and my main concern. The UFC has sort of become like Band-Aid. People ask for Band-Aids for minor scrapes rather than asking for an adhesive bandage.
MMA is less recognizable than the brand UFC.
The sport has gained legitimacy, but lacks credibility. It took a big step in popularity, when UFC president Dana White took over and added things like timed rounds, and judge's decision if no knockout, technical knockout or submission decided the fight. Pride, another organization followed on the coattails of UFC.
With two completely separate organizations, recognizing their own title belts, it becomes harder to give individual fighters the star power that could make MMA even more popular.
While boxing is unified, meaning the Heavyweight champion of the world, is at that time recognized as the best fighter in the world, MMA is driven by each organization. It's run more like professional wrestling.
For the sport to grow it has to be unified.
One title holder for each weight class.
A ranking system has to be put in place, so people can determine who has the right to a title shot. Not that the rankings are all too legitimate in boxing. Popularity and which fights drive the most ticket sales and ratings, still determines most matchups in boxing, and that's not likely to change.
A major problem now, is that a UFC fighter loses his belt if he takes a contract with Pride.
There's no way to determine which of the fighters, especially the light heavyweight, which is saturated with the best fighters, is on top of the sport.
I know none of that is likely to happen, because it most likely means that the stockholders for each organization would lose money. The only thing worse than getting hit in the chin, is getting hit in the wallet.
The attraction is there. With little publicity the Choctaw Coliseum had a good audience for its first mixed martial arts bouts held a few months ago. Sure the place was about 90 percent dudes, and I'd be surprised if many women have made it this far into the column. If you have congratulations, you've earned elite status in my book.
That young, male audience is, however, the most sought after by the advertising industry. MMA could grow, but its going to take a dose of credibility to do so.