Is MMA not a Real Sport?

[skeeman101]

Wth the wide and growing popularity of MMA, I am surprised at how little attention the sport receives from cable sports networks and sports talk radio. Does anyone know why this is? Do you think it wll change in the forseeable future?

 

[Goodieluver]

Wth the wide and growing popularity of MMA, I am surprised at how little attention the sport receives from cable sports networks and sports talk radio. Does anyone know why this is? Do you think it wll change in the forseeable future?

Certain companies picked up the rights early to it

The major media market hated UFC when it started to gain popularity and ppvs so it forced the UFC to make rule changes. UFC gets what it gets off Spike, Vs and PPVS. Its still just not as notorious as say boxing. There is no household name MMA has compared to boxing.

 

[Snail Shell]

MMA is a head-to-head combat sport, which often ends in bleeding, broken bones, knock-outs and bone-jarring submission holds. It's not exactly something you can have your kids watch on the 6 o' clock news. While quickly gaining popularity worldwide, let's face it, any sport that has a move called a "Flying guillotine" isn't going to be for everyone.

Snail Shell

 

[Goodieluver]

MMA is a head-to-head combat sport, which often ends in bleeding, broken bones, knock-outs and bone-jarring submission holds. It's not exactly something you can have your kids watch on the 6 o' clock news. While quickly gaining popularity worldwide, let's face it, any sport that has a move called a "Flying guillotine" isn't going to be for everyone.

Snail Shell

Boxing was one of the biggest sports in the early 1900s and during the 60s thru Tyson. I think he may be implying the connection since Boxing is shown on ESPN, esp for super fight results.

 

[Snail Shell]

Boxing was one of the biggest sports in the early 1900s and during the 60s thru Tyson. I think he may be implying the connection since Boxing is shown on ESPN, esp for super fight results.

Agreed, but boxing has also been around since the ancient Greeks. MMA, as it exists as a sport, not as martial arts, has only been around since the early 1990's. Give it time. The sportscasts will have it. 🙂

Snail Shell

 

[Goodieluver]

Agreed, but boxing has also been around since the ancient Greeks. MMA, as it exists as a sport, not as martial arts, has only been around since the early 1990's. Give it time. The sportscasts will have it. 🙂

Snail Shell

Yeah but greco roman wrestling has been around for the same amount of time and its similar to MMA just no striking yet it only gets coverage in the Olympics or in states of big programs

 

[Mister Scruff]

GRW as a sport is utterly different from MMA though; there's not much bone-jarring goes on in Greco-Roman Wrestling. And they're not naked anymore, which I think kills some of the mass appeal.

MMA does need a poster boy though, and it should be Forrest Griffin just because he's The Man 😀

 

[Snail Shell]

GRW as a sport is utterly different from MMA though; there's not much bone-jarring goes on in Greco-Roman Wrestling. And they're not naked anymore, which I think kills some of the mass appeal.

MMA does need a poster boy though, and it should be Forrest Griffin just because he's The Man 😀

GRW also has no professional leagues. That's why so many collegiate wrestlers turn to MMA. It's the closest thing to doing what they love for a living short of professional wrestling, which isn't the same kind of copetition.

As for a poster boy, I disagree for Forrest Griffin. GSP, Rampage, Rich Franklin and Shogun, in my opinion, would be better choices. Just my opinion though.

Snail Shell