Mixed Martial Arts or today deemed as Ultimate Fighting Championship, is now a multi-million dollar industry, with rumors of challenging the authenticity and popularity of boxing, as one of America's past times.
This evolutionizing sport combines Muay Thai, Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing and traditional boxing to form a distinctive fighting style, with events taking place in an octagon shaped cage rather than an open square, however both run over a series of rounds.
Ultimate Fighting Championship has experienced a high rise in popularity since it's founding in 1993. While boxing has entered a state of regression with few fights and hardly any big-time names.
Today's fan base interested in combat sports is composed of an entirely new generation which is used to a rapid ubiquitous world and therefore, demands more intense, fast-paced action which boxing no longer contains.
Also an advantage in comparison to boxing is the fact that rules of the UFC allow fighters to win by "knockout, technical knockout or if a winner hasn’t emerged in the allocated time three ringside judges will render a decision based on effective grappling, aggression, striking and octagon control."
Dana White, president and CEO of the UFC was ironically a former amateur boxer. White believes "the sport has capitalized on boxing’s inability to cater to fans’ acquired tastes. The UFC is the most exciting combat sport in the world because there are so many ways to win and so many ways to lose. Boxing is your father's sport."
While the UFC has seen a large boost in popularity within the past few years, it still must recognize that some of its roots originate from boxing. Although the UFC has emerged from being an underground sport to a new phenomenon, it would still be crazy to say that the UFC is more popular than boxing. Boxing has been around for much longer than the UFC and still contains a strong fan base. I wouldn't say that the UFC has erraticated boxing and taken its place. However, I would say that boxing is currently in quite a standstill and is in need of a new image.
http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/2013/boxing-ufc/
Below is a video or better yet a battle: UFC vs Boxing
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
What appeared to be a new phenomenon within sports and primarily mixed marial arts, has actually been around for much longer than people realized. Wheter people refer to mixed martial arts as: ju jitsu, karate, pankration, muay thai, cage fighting, or ultimate fighting; the techniques as well as the principles are similar and have endured the test of time, evolutionizing the sport into a popular form of interest and entertainment that it has become today.
Through this blog we have examined current events pertaining to the Ultimate Fighting Championships as well as marketing strategies, promotional methods, plans for legalization, sponsorships, disruptive issues, various fighting techniques, and the rooted history of the UFC that accompanies all.
In Conclusion, this form of fighting which was once labeled "human cock fighting," seen as a disgrace and viewed as: inhumane, grusome and brutal, is now included in the sector of sports with an extensive and rapidly growing market. UFC along with its subsidiaries has evolved into a sought afrter means of entertainment and interest both the media as well as a vast group of individuals covering every age group and in-turn creating a foundation which demands and receives respect.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has successfully revamped its image within the past few years, incorporating various fighting techniques with present day interests; therefore appealing to all people through ingenious business and marketing tactics.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
A New Domain of Promotion
The UFC leaves its mark in yet another sector of promotions. First making its debut network television series, then arriving in video games, blogs and finally sponsorships.
Harley Ddavidson Motor Company is attributed to the production of a classic, "all-American" style motorcycle. However, unlike many other established businesses, Harley Davidson's wide spread popularity and world wide success has not pushed them to sign many sponsorships.
In fact, Harley Davidson Senior Vice President and Cheif Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer stated that their sponsorship with the UFC is: "the first major worldwide sports sponsorship for Harley-Davidson outside the motorcycle/automotive category."
This seems to have been a major step for Harley-Davidson, especially since this sponsorship is the first outside their specific feild of interest. Most would feel as though a motorcycle/automotive company sponsoring the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) would contain many risk factors and possibly not necessarily benefit the company.
However, for Harley Davidson, signing a sponsorship with these organizations seemed natural. "like Harley Davidson, UFC is a true American passion that transcends cultures and languages, and shares incredible and growing popularity in the United States, Europe and around the world."
Although a sponsorship with Harley Davidson is a great acheivement for the UFC, Im not exactly sure that the same can be said on the other end of the deal. Both companies may share the same image; targeting the young, aggresive, rigid individual. But, how much can a fighting organization really help in boosting the sales of motorcycles? Are people who enjoy Harley's even interested in fighting or primarily the UFC?
Grouping these two companies together seems to be a stereotypical assumption which will in my opinion mainly benefit the UFC's image through promoting the logo and advertisements of a "power-house" company such as: Harley Davidson.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Fired or Free?
"Former UFC middleweight Kalib Starnes, a cast member from "The Ultimate Fighter 3" who suffered a lopsided unanimous-decision loss to Nate Quarry at UFC 83, says he asked to be released from the UFC -- before UFC president Dana White told Yahoo Sports that he had been cut from the organization.
In a UFC 83 televised bout, Starnes continually backpeddled from his opponent, and the Canadian crowd turned on the British Columbia fighter during the lackluster performance.
In a post-event press conference, White said that Starnes would regret the performance, which resulted in scores of 30-27, 30-26 and an extremely rare 30-24. After the fight, cameras caught Starnes yelling an obscenity and a deragoratory gay reference to members of Quarry's corner.
The following day, White told Yahoo! Sports that Starnes had been cut from the organization.
However, Starnes said that the story came out only after he asked Joe Silva to terminate his contract, which the organization was willing to do."
The UFC has parted ways with Kalib Starnes after his “performance” at UFC 83.
Through the video posted above it is apparent that Starnes truely has nobody to blame but himself. I mean if your considering yourself a UFC Fighter, then why are you in the ring backing away from the fight? This leaves me puzzled and explains why the crowd in Canada spent the rest of the fight trying to boo Starnes off the platform.
Quarry, starnes opponent in the ring was quoted during the match saying:
“I think if you’re fighting in the UFC, you’ve got to come to fight,” Quarry told UFC.com. "I would much rather get knocked out than lose a decision running backwards.”
Quarry makes an extremely valid point with this comment and contains a view that coincides with that of the UFC President Dana White, which was quoted with saying:
“He just doesn’t belong in the UFC and after his performance the other night, he should consider a new line of work.”
As the UFC gains popularity in media as well as sports entertainment, it is imperative that all decisions made are productive and done so, in an attempt to further the growth of the sport. In my opinion, firing a fighter which does not fit the UFC ideals, perform well, promote the company's image or at least provide entertainment... well, he SHOULD be fired.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Mixed martial arts or the Ultimate Fighting Championship, known to many as "cage fighting", continues to disperse all over the United States. This sport is especially popular in the Midwest, where the sport has now incorparated a new generation, "with Missouri as the only state that allows these type tournaments."
The popularity of ultimate fighting is on the rise, and the age of participants is getting younger. I dont necessarily see a problem with children being involved in traditional martial arts such as Karate and Ju Jitsu, these fighting styles seem to offer a type of stuctured training which is beneficial for children rather than harmful. However, cage fighting for children seems to be taking the idea of Mixed Martial Arts to an extreme. Not only should this sport which promotes "figting to the death" be monitored and regulated... but also restricted from children whose consequences due to the sport can be both physically and mentally are frightening.
The popularity of ultimate fighting is on the rise, and the age of participants is getting younger. I dont necessarily see a problem with children being involved in traditional martial arts such as Karate and Ju Jitsu, these fighting styles seem to offer a type of stuctured training which is beneficial for children rather than harmful. However, cage fighting for children seems to be taking the idea of Mixed Martial Arts to an extreme. Not only should this sport which promotes "figting to the death" be monitored and regulated... but also restricted from children whose consequences due to the sport can be both physically and mentally are frightening.
Ultimate Fighting expands to Kids?
Ultimate fighting which was once only viewed on pay-per-view TV and even then labeled as "human cockfighting" is branching out. Now viewed as a popular sport,
ultimate fighting is attracting individuals as young as 6 whose parents treat the sport as if it were a football match.
Although protective padding is worn and a referee is present to oversee the fight, this new trend of cage-fighting for children, is alarming and the consequences this might have on the young children urged to fight is definitely questionable.
Supporters of the sport acknowledge that allowing fights between children does sound brutal at first. But these supporters insist that competitions have plenty of safety rules. This statement leaves me confused... dosn't every UFC match contain satety rules? These rules, so to speak also don't protect the fighters from broken bones or black eyes.
"It looks violent until you realize this teaches discipline. One of the first rules they learn is that this is not for aggressive behavior outside (the ring)," said Larry Swinehart, a Joplin police officer and father of two boys and a girl in a childrens fighting group.
"Children figting wear protective headgear, shin guards, groin protection and martial-arts gloves. The fights are quick and last about two-minutes with restrictions that prohibit: elbow blows and blows to the head when an opponent is on the ground."
Although children fighting wear protection and are taught to abide by rules, they are still children. Who's to say they won't use their learned techniques of fighting during recess or at school when there is no referee to administer the fight and see that both individuals are wearing protection and following rules. Basically, I dont believe this is a sport for children. However, many indivuals would disagree with me.
Below is a website which administers the benefits of MMA training for children:
http://www.ultimatefightingarts.com/Ultimate-Kids.html
ultimate fighting is attracting individuals as young as 6 whose parents treat the sport as if it were a football match.
Although protective padding is worn and a referee is present to oversee the fight, this new trend of cage-fighting for children, is alarming and the consequences this might have on the young children urged to fight is definitely questionable.
Supporters of the sport acknowledge that allowing fights between children does sound brutal at first. But these supporters insist that competitions have plenty of safety rules. This statement leaves me confused... dosn't every UFC match contain satety rules? These rules, so to speak also don't protect the fighters from broken bones or black eyes.
"It looks violent until you realize this teaches discipline. One of the first rules they learn is that this is not for aggressive behavior outside (the ring)," said Larry Swinehart, a Joplin police officer and father of two boys and a girl in a childrens fighting group.
"Children figting wear protective headgear, shin guards, groin protection and martial-arts gloves. The fights are quick and last about two-minutes with restrictions that prohibit: elbow blows and blows to the head when an opponent is on the ground."
Although children fighting wear protection and are taught to abide by rules, they are still children. Who's to say they won't use their learned techniques of fighting during recess or at school when there is no referee to administer the fight and see that both individuals are wearing protection and following rules. Basically, I dont believe this is a sport for children. However, many indivuals would disagree with me.
Below is a website which administers the benefits of MMA training for children:
http://www.ultimatefightingarts.com/Ultimate-Kids.html
Saturday, April 12, 2008
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