Ultimate Fighting vs Boxing

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_118/2317-The-Oldest-Game-On-Earth

Pankration and History Repeating Itself

"Internationally, it is the World Pankration Federation that is leading the way".
- International Olympic Committee


Pankration MMA - Watch more funny videos here

"Pankration is a sport introduced in the Greek Olympic games in 648 BC. Many historians believe that although pankration was not one of the first Olympic sports, it was likely one of the most popular[citation needed]. Some also argue it to be the first all-encompassing fighting system in human history, and it bears many similarities to modern mixed martial arts styles. However, this is a strongly debated issue in the academic community (www.wikipedia.org)."

The history behind the sport of Pankration is amazing. However, if it has been around for so long, why havn't more people been introduced to or even heard of such a thing? An interestig answer lies behind this question. Was it possibly an ineffective of non existent marketing strategy, no trace of advertising or promotions, or could it be that times have changed and MMA has taken the place of Pankration.

In an effort to promote the sport of Pankration and gain popularity, a man by the name of Craig Smith formed the World Pankration Federation. However, "the only solution to gaining recognition and popularity would be incorporating Pankration into the Olympic Games once again."

This idea seem outrageous, considering a large percentage of people have never even heard of such a sport. Even though Pankration will probably not make it to the Olympic Games today, Pankration once played a major role in the Olympic Games... "Somehow the sport of pankration fell out of the public radar and was erased from the games. However, when it was a part of the Olympics, one thing is for sure,It was the most popular event going (www.extremeprosports.com)."

Pankration seems to be the modern day ultimate fighting or MMA. Both share many similarities in technique as well as history of injustices and bad publicity. Back to the question of wheter or not Pankration will make it to the Olypic Games...well, this can be compared to wheter or not the practice of UFC will become legal in all states."For much the same reason why mixed martial arts was blacked out from America for so many years, pankration was barred from the modern Olympic Games (www.extremeprosports.com)."

I guess the old saying is true...History repeats itself.

Muay Thai

While browsing the internet for articles and news regarding Ultimate Fighting, I came across a very interesting discovery which introduced me to a new style of fighting, similar to that of the UFC. This style of fighting is known as Muay Thai and is further described below:

"Muay Thai (pronounced [muāitʰāi]; Thai: มวยไทย) literally Thai Boxing and also known as The Art of the Eight Limbs is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. The different styles of kickboxing in Southeast Asia are analogous to the different types of Kung Fu in China or Silat in the Malay peninsula. The Thai military uses a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit.
Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies slightly from the ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A master practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight "points of contact," as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muay_Thai

Muay Thai techniques involve the use of the entire human body. In other words, if you want to learn Muay Thai, you have to learn how to use everypart of your body; including fists, elbows, shins, feet and knees.

This is the reason why Muay Thai received it's name, “The Science of Eight Limbs”.
Muay Thai techniques are divided into categories of punch, elbow, kicking and knee techniques.

One key Muay Thai technique is the "clinch or grappling," used extensively in Muay Thai fights. "A common clinching technique in Muay Thai fighting is to tap the head downward before executing a throw. "
http://www.muaythai.cc/Muay-thai-kick-boxing.php

Muay Thai techniques are also used in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Apart from traditional Muay Thai fights, you will find Muay Thai techniques being used in MMA fights like PRIDE Fighting Championships and Ultimate Fighting Championship as well.

The following video depicts a traditional Muay Thai fight which also demonstrates the Muay Thai techniques mentioned above:

"One on One with the President Dana White"

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/custom/mma/bal-whiteqa122,0,7658660.story?coll=bal-mma-headlines


Below is a conversation with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White:

"What are some of the obstacles you face as you try to gain sanctioning in states where MMA is not currently sanctioned?

I think the big problem is a lot of these other states are states that big shows wouldn't go to anyway. But my goal is [comprehensive sanctioning] -- these smaller shows are happening in these states and it needs to be sanctioned. One of the biggest reasons is fighter safety. … When they fight these rinky-dink, little shows all over the place, they don't have to go through the same medical testing, drug testing, everything else that we do in all the major states. But it needs to happen. That's the commission's job.

What are you doing to overcome these obstacles and to gain the sanctioning you need? Are you working with local and state governments? What's the process that you go through for that?

That's the reason we brought Marc Ratner on board from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. We hired him -- that's what he does all day, talks to all these different states and continually works to get proper sanctioning."

UFC is not legal in all states because it is labeled by many as "human cock-fighting." Most fights take place in Vegas, where the UFC has become a major entertainment spectacle.

During an interview with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White, it became apparent that the UFC's main objective is to focus on gaining sanctioning in primary states so that fights can take place legally and in a larger percentage of states.

All of the small measures the UFC takes are included in the main objective and focus on gaining popularity, distributing interest, and accumulating viewers.

The Fight for Fame

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dm-freeagents031008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Both Tito Ortiz and Lyoto Machida are important names in the fighting realm of the UFC. On May 24th, 2008 both men are scheduled to be apart of what is deemed "among the most important matches of 2008."


Whether these two well known fighters choose to accept it or not... they are apart of far more than just an ordinary match. "It is generally believed that barring a miracle reconciliation, Ortiz and UFC will part company when his contract expiresUFC will be gambling by airing Ortiz’s match live on pay-per-view. Ortiz is a big enough name to help sell orders. The former UFC light heavyweight champion’s contract calls for bonuses far beyond his $210,000 reported per-match figure, so the feeling is it’s too much to pay without getting market value through heavily promoting his fight.Machida should be favored to win the fight, but it’s hardly a lock. It’s a win the undefeated Machida needs if he’s going to work into position for a shot at the light heavyweight title, and connect with an audience that has seen him win many times against lesser-known fighters, but has yet to react to him as a star.
But if Ortiz wins, he’ll be a free agent at a time he’s at the top of the list of the most famous mixed martial artists in the country, in a business with many potential suitors who are all in need of a recognizable star.
By himself, no one fighter is going to make a difference in a promotional war. But Ortiz, former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick and two-time former heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia all have contracts that have either run out or are close to expiration. Losing most at the same time will give the public the impression the UFC must not be the be-all and end-all of the industry, particularly if several are seen shortly on a major television station with a competing promotion."

This fight is far more than merely entertainment. May 24th, 2008 will leave one individual both happy and successful. If Tito Ortiz wins this match, he will not only be gaining another victory, but also winning stardom and recognition in the upcoming sport the UFC rejuvenated.

"He'll be a free agent at a time he's at the top of the list of the most famous mixed matial artists in the country, in a business with many potential suitors who are all in need of a recognizable star."

However, if Machida should dominate the fight, he will be given a chance at conquering the heavy weight title he has so desperately desired and a shot at "connecting with an audience that has seen him win many times against lesser- known fighters, but has yet to react to him as a star."

For both fighters, winning this match will bring them a peice of stardom and the UFC a portion as well. It is apparent that all members in this fight are striving to make it to the top on their claim to fame, with the UFC in the lead...victorious either way.

"Ultimate Fighting Championship is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, currently recognized as the major MMA promotion in North America.

The UFC started as a tournament to find the world's best fighter, no matter their style, and was based upon Brazilian vale tudo fighting. Although there were a limited amount of rules, the UFC was initially known as no holds barred fighting and contests were often violent and brutal. Early UFC fights were less sport than spectacle, which led to accusations of brutality and "human cockfighting" by opponents. Political pressures eventually led the UFC into the underground, as pay-per-view providers nixed UFC programming, nearly extinguishing the UFC's public visibility.

As political pressure mounted, the UFC reformed itself, slowly embracing stricter rules, becoming sanctioned by athletic commissions, and marketing itself as a legitimate sporting event. Dropping the no holds barred label and carrying the banner of mixed martial arts, the UFC has emerged from its political isolation to become more socially acceptable, regaining its position in pay-per-view television. With a cable television deal and legalization of MMA in California, a hotbed for MMA fandom, the UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with heightened media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen in the United States, as well as in Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil.

The UFC is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and owned and operated by Zuffa."


http://www.oobdoo.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship.htm

The UFC has become a dominant sport in television as well as training. This change only appeared in today's world through some restraint, regulations and refined rules.

The UFC's changes and legalization came with the help of Spike TV, a UFC reality show, and The Ultimate Fighter. Both shows "often outdraw NBA and baseball games among the coveted 18- to 34-year-old male demographic."

With the UFC's growing popularity, the President and CEO of the UFC refers to this sport as "the sport for a new generation. White is aiming squarely for the hip multitudes." Which also ties into the previous posting, discussing the UFC's presence on BET and in the world of Hollywood and Hip Hop.

The following are a list of aspects which contribute to the UFC's growing popolarity and the things which are simultaneously overlooked by others:

Even though UFC fighting was marked "cock fighting" by senator McCain and ruled off television by others, people fail to realize that "boxers have died in the ring, but so far not one UFC fighter."

Now that times are changing, so are the lifestyles and desires of a new generation. "Football and baseball may be American pastimes, but for a high-tech generation weaned on immediacy, such sporadic action doesn't compare with UFC's short and definitive flurries of violence."

Has the UFC been revitalizing itself from "former freak show" to take the title of the new martial arts sport, or even take the place of another American favortie...Boxing?

Black Entertainment Television, or better known as BET is introducing a new reality series. The Iron Ring Championship series is focused on celebrities from the "worlds of hip hop, sports, and Hollywood who are introduced to the most dangerous fighters in the nation."

Teams within this series are owned by; Dipset, Floyd Mayweather, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Nelly, T.I., Snoop Dogg, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and comedian Eddie Griffin.

"The Iron Ring takes a different tack. Scheduled to air this summer, it will feature four celebritites managing teams of hand-picked fighters who will then battle it out for cash prizes."

The Iron Ring Championships ingeniously want their sport to appeal to everyone. Integrating an urban version of Ultimate Fighting as well as incorporating celebrities into the mix would in my opinion be a successful business decision in broadening the UFC audience as well as popularity.

"Real Professional fighters aren't always blessed with great personas, though, so why not find somebody who can do the talking for them? Given BET's audience, young black entertainers were the obvious choice."

The objective behind this show seems to be more oriented toward entertainment and appealing to a larger more expancded audience. However, would this move take away from the traditional fighting style or brand image which the UFC is known for? Would this hurt the UFC's exceptance into the sports world?

http://www.layandpray.com/2007/03/bet_fight_show_could_raise_que.html

A new phenomenon

Ultimate Fighting has drastically evolved from a mixed martial arts that few were aware of and transformed itself into a new phenomenon, with the help of one man. This sport has come a long way from its past of being banned on network television and frowned upon by many. Ultimate Fighting has renewed itself in many ways, especially in the world of sports and primarily, sports entertainment.

The man behind this evolution is CEO and President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White.

"Dana White is a former amateur boxer turned Las Vegas entrepreneur behind the improbable comeback of "ultimate fighting," which pits boxers, wrestlers, karate and jiu-jitsu artists in often-brutal matches inside a caged, eight-sided ring known as the "Octagon."


Within this blog, we will discuss the UFC's rapid growth, their means of evolution, marketing as well as promotional strategies, sponsorships, current events and last but not least...origin.

The following article further explains the UFC as an upcoming and popular sport as well as discusses the arguments against it:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2005-04-10-white-usat_x.htm