What do I think of Cage Fighting

On one of my You Tube sites a comment was made that Grappling was finished as Cage Fighting was the only way forward. To some degree the writer was right, Cage Fighting most probably has had a dramatic influence on Traditional Grappling Disciplines like Olympic Wrestling, Judo, Sambo etc. It has turned the Martial Arts Fraternity into those who watch rather then do, they want to watch two very fit tough men beat each other up, like the people of ancient Rome watching Gladiators fight to the death a form of voyeurism.

In the beginning Cage Fighting/Ultimate Fighting started by the Gracie Family was followed by Martial arts Practitioners who to see how different styles of Martial Arts would work against each, they would watch with anticipation to see if a new technique come out of this mix and match style of competition so they could improve on their own style. As the system became more popular the clever fighter realised that you had to reinvent yourself to fit the the rules etc, they became a new breed of Martial Artists with a new Martial Art some called it cage Fighting some called it MMA. This in its self was good news Combat Disciplines need to develop like everything in life but you must not forget the Past for without that there is no Present.

Sadly Cage Fighting has become a realistic branch of Professional Wrestling where it all about getting Bums on seats, about making a Profit good for the promoter and good for the fighter who can make a living out of this tough, gruelling form of entertainment and lets face it Cage Fighters have to be courageous to get in the Cage. Yet all this does produce followers but very few participants.

After saying all this there is still a respectable level of people participating in MMA events, I had the famous Judoka Neil Adams at my club in the beginning of the year and he told me half of his courses are with MMA guys but I still wonder if the majority of those watching Cage Fighting actually get of there backsides and train.

So do I like Cage Fighting not particularly, I have a lot of respect for the fighters but find it hard to see getting some one on the floor doing the Ground and Pound or keeping your opponent trapped on a Cage and beating them into submission can be called a Sport? to me there was something honourable about beating someone with out damaging them but then again maybe I am a softie but a softie who actually done something not just watched.

Do I want Cage Fighting banned of course not I believe in free choice the Fighters do not have to in the cage but I would like to see more people doing the Traditional Arts and mine is any form of grappling with a jacket, Judo, Sambo, Kurash, Belt Wrestling, Bökh Mongolian wrestling, chidaoba Georgian Wrestling, Pankration etc there is still a lot to be learned fro past generations and past Masters