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