MMA into the mainstream?

columok

In the other thread (UG Fighting?) nirish raised the issue of MMA getting mainstream acceptance.

So people, regardless of background, what do you think that MMA needs to hit the mainstream?

columok

My thoughts:

1) Sensationalism works in the short term (early UFC) but doesnt really give MMA the right image. I think less of the cage and more of the ring. I think the current irish MMA rules (no elbows, soccer kicks) are excellent and are helping to promote the sport in Ireland.

2) A single voice for MMA is needed. Cant see how this would work to be honest. Governing bodies are very hard to establish and harder to maintain!

3) Combat sports need to be taught in schools i.e. Judo, BJJ, Boxing, Muay Thai. I know this is unrealistic but it is key to a public that understands the skill of an MMA fight.

4) MMA of various standards that allows a whole range of people to compete. The MMA League has done this very well. I wonder is there more room for such events!

dabhal

columok wrote:

A single voice for MMA is needed.

Nice idea but boxing hasn't even managed this.
For Martial arts in general there are two many arts/opinions etc to ever have just one voice that people can latch onto.

It was that idea I had when I asked about the ultimate MA comp.
A way of bringing them all together.(in my happy lollypop land)
Can't ever see it happening, I think K1 has the best chance for major public viewing to be honest.
Saying that boxing has really dropped in popularity in recent years so what chance do we have to see MA comps on sky anytime soon.
No offence but most (non ma)people I talk to find MMA style fights boring.
Hits the mat and then it becomes a "oh hes going to try for an armbar" ..in 2 or 3 mins.
The average joe soap see that and thinks " two blokes hugging on the ground...hey the simpsons are on"

Dabhal

PJG

I have to agree with dabhal,

No disrespect to you MMA guy’s, the training and fighting you guys do is seriously tough, but when the average Joe soap who’s only involvement in sport is sitting on the couch watching it, sees two guy’s locked on the ground in tight pants will switch right off.

K1 style is the future…..

Respect to all MA.

columok

No offence but most (non ma)people I talk to find MMA style fights boring.
Hits the mat and then it becomes a "oh hes going to try for an armbar" ..in 2 or 3 mins.
The average joe soap see that and thinks " two blokes hugging on the ground...hey the simpsons are on"

Very true. This is illustrated by the difference between american pro-wrestling (WWE etc) and Japanese pro-wrestling. Japanese kids do Judo in school and as a result the Japanese pro-wrestling audience expect a realistic looking spectacle thus the high technical ability of many japanese pro-wrestlers. American audiences arent educated in grappling (apart from the actual wrestling) so the ground fighting elements are very fake and arent emphasised at all.

This is also true of the difference between UFC and Pride. UFC forces standups if the action stalls as their crowd prefers to see more stand-up fighting. Pride allows more ground action because the educated crowd understands and therefore enjoys the ground game.

For MMA to succeed in the Irish mainstream it either needs to be striking heavy or the irish public needs to understand grappling more! The former appears more likely!

logic1

I think you'd have to clearly define what you mean by mainstream.

If you mean a large percentage of the population will tune in regularly and it'll be discussed in pubs over liquid lunches then it'll never happen.

Society in General has become much too constrictive and it's in fashion to be appalled at seemingly barbaric behaviour. Even Pugilism one of the most popular former sports is suffering badly under the oppressive tree hugging atmosphere.

However if you mean mainstream within the remit of practicing martial arts communities then I don't think it'll ever be allowed to grow there either.

Most people study arts not simply to fight but to learn discipline, self control etc etc...

When I trained with my Brother most of the class never wanted to spar, they were quite happy to stretch, do a few pushups and a couple of patterns then go home feeling a sense of self worth. However there were always a small few that stayed back after when the doors got locked and the pads went on.

I think MMA's main appeal will always be to a smaller more hardcore community. But if you can cultivate that efficiently you will certainly get a dedicated and loyal audience.

.logic.

nirish

so logic1 do you beleive that because mma has no mystical past, no promises of attaining a higher mental prowess and those skimpy grappling shorts and not the fancy-pancy gi's that the casual martial student will not accept it as a legit style form or disciplin???

well if that is what you are trying to say then i agree with you!

the avarage joe is looking for a nice easy training session that will help shead a few pounds and give him some sense of well being aswell as something to do a few nights a week. unfortunatly that cannot be acomplished training mma, as alot of you well know. now i do not mean to slag off anybody who trains tma but there is a greater chance of breaking a sweat grapling or kick boxing or sparing. and the avarage mma guy does not have one of these fancy belt thingys regardless of colour.

what i know is that the people that train mma have as much dedication to their disciplin and their training as karate or tkd. but they are more interested in having fun, improving their skills and tapping someone out than they are about moral codes and ancient teachings of some old dude from china or korea.

a small underground following in mma is fine but how do we convay to people in the martial arts comunity that mma is as valid a sport or disciplin as karate , tkd, tai chi or any of the other tma's out there. or do they just not want to know that it exists??

i applaud what the mma league guys are doing in dublin. cross disciplin comps are a great idea and a good way to bring various teams and gyms together.


happy christmas to all yall

Naos

dabhal wrote:

No offence but most (non ma)people I talk to find MMA style fights boring.
Hits the mat and then it becomes a "oh hes going to try for an armbar" ..in 2 or 3 mins.
The average joe soap see that and thinks " two blokes hugging on the ground...hey the simpsons are on"

Dabhal

rofl. Cant sleep/focus for starters...
anyway funny comment as went to spectate that comp in UCD, brought with me a Muay Thai friend and a non MA friend. Me and the MT lad had great time, other fellah "Yeh its deadly when they are standing, but when they hit the ground its just boring. i just look around see what other ppl are doing and stuff" heh. Was amusing watching him.

Anyway would love to see MMA mainstream. Pissed of at not having digital to watch the UFC/MA programs as it is, and I've JJ mate who has but never wathces it ?? wa*ker

a

Musashi

I've noticed the same thing, if u dunno what they are trying to do the ground stuff looks like two guys hugging with an odd dig thrown in. I am not saying this to offend, but it is the uninformed opinion.
Show a UFC ground fight that goes to the mat and ends with a tap, then show a K1 fight that ends with a guy kicked out cold. Joe Soap thinks the kick boxing was good but the hugging was a bit slow!
If the MMA/UFC want to go mainstream they need to mix it up more, everyone likes a good slap fest! or educate the public, a tougher row to hoe.
Possibly change the rules to stop a grapple after so long if no one is getting a good attack on? Just don't make it Olympic TKD!!!!

columok

Possibly change the rules to stop a grapple after so long if no one is getting a good attack on? Just don't make it Olympic TKD!!!!

There are rules against "Stalling" and if the action is going nowhere it usually gets stood up. MMA matches now have very exciting stand-up usually. Some dont even go to ground. The UFC has a tendency to promote mainly standup fighters to make it more appealing to joe soap.

For a really good standup MMA fight check out the recent Wanderlei Silva Vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson fight in the last Pride FC. Incredible!

damo

wanderlai silva is an animal, i think there would be a broad audience in ireland who would enjoy watching him and other fighters like him fight

do you have a link for that fight columok?

columok

I wouldnt of course advocate copyright infringement of the intellectual property of DSE... :rolleyes:


BUUUTTTT if I had to get all 270+ MB of the fight I'd go to www.mma-tracker.org and look for a torrent.

damo

nice one

Clive

One of the best ways to make MMA more exciting for the general population is to ditch the boring wrestlers (Hughes, Couture, Ortiz, Lindland etc) regardless of how good their records are.

To me, practically pinning someone and laying in little digs, trying for a cut/decision is tantamount to doing nothing and they should be stood up.

Colm_OReilly

How dare you disparage the good name of Randy Couture, THAT GUY IS MY HERO! *said in my best Joe Rogan voice*

Clive

And He Doesn't Get Tiiiiiiiirrred!

Colm_OReilly

He just keeps going!

Colm_OReilly

And he's forty!