Alan Makar
Prof. McCormick
ENG103
6 December 2010
Research Paper
Violent? Pft, Try Again?
Throughout history, our world has always had some sort of entertainment. We could have carelessly cared how "violent" it really was. In ancient Rome, people/citizens were put in an arena with beasts twice their individual size for our pure enjoyment/punishment. Did we, the audience care then? No, we just stood in suspense to see if the tables would be turned; if the "man" would come out as a "warrior". As the philosopher Rousseau would say "Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves", honestly we all want to see skilled athletes compete because we, ourselves are not capable of competing on that level. We sometime foolishly abide with what maybe morally right to others rather than our thoughts. We rather side with the norm rather than ask why? Or express our true feeling.
"Gladiators", warriors once known for their fierce character competed in armed combat to see who would be the last man standing. However, nowadays we have something similar, an organization called "Ultimate Fighting Championship" (UFC), where experienced martial artists/wrestlers, compete within an octagon. To then be announced the "ultimate fighter"(within their weight class). Although this sport has proven to take place in our history since 264 B.C. New York has still refuse to accept it within the state. Its so called violence caused John McCain to refer to it as "Human cock fighting". But, this is misleading notion; in this essay I will argue that the UFC is an acceptably safe sport and that, therefore, it should be legalized in the state of New York. Codes of conduct and rules make a safe sport, given; the UFC has a code of conduct and rules. It then follows that the UFC is a safe sport.
In karate, one must follow codes of conduct. One example is the "Bushido code", which means the warrior spirit, is followed by karate and judo practitioners. There are 7 virtues: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty(“Bushido code”). Martial artist that accept that the 7 virtues constructs a positive character.(Martial Art Hall of Warrior Training). These positive behaviors create a safer environment for practitioners, in the sense that they are more likely to demonstrate an honorable/noble character when competing. For example being “humble in victory” and “gracious in defeat” is most emphasized in my Dojo especially to the younger kids. If this is not taught to them, you can imagine the tension between both practitioners.
Not only do codes of conduct come into sight in martial arts but also in boxing. One of their codes of conduct is that, the competitor must be "within 5% of his competition weight prior to competition or 8% pounds within his competition weight for training camp 30 days out from competition"(“Boxing Codes of conduct“). This is most essential because without weight classes, the fight would be considered unfair to both competitors, one having an advantage. A competitor who outweighs the opposing fighter would have a greater force that is conducted throughout his punches, because more mass equals greater force. No matter how skilled the fighter, when in contact with the punch, he will end up suffering and struggling to continue the fight. Even sometime height is also taken into consideration. This is taken into account because of the fighter’s vulnerability to exposing himself (jaw wise). Can you imagine a fighter having to look up at his target? The match would end by knockout majority of the time.
Also, in major league baseball, if a pitcher hits a batter 3 times in a game, he is ejected from the game for safety precautions of the other players. Rather than leaving the pitcher within the game and leaving it to the probability of the pitcher hitting the batter with 90 mile per hour fast ball on his head he is taken out for the rest of game.
During every match of the UFC, there is always a "cut-man" and physician. They work hand in hand. Cut-men have the authority to address the physician with concerns regarding an injury. If the physician believes the injury is threatening to the fighter the match will come to an end. Fighters are to respect the physician’s decision and cannot dispute the decision. The cut-man is, the person that heals the fighter’s cuts and applies the Vaseline or any necessary precaution that must be taken for fighters benefit. The physicians’ duty is to evaluate the health and condition of the fighter. (Goodman)
A clear example of this dates back to the earlier days of UFC, when it was under title of “Pride”. A fighter by the name of “Kuzshi Sakuraba” faced off against “Wanderlei Silva” In the pay-perview event “Pride17”, both were middle weight competitors. However, Silva ended up breaking Sakuraba’s collar bone during the match, this match had several importance to Sakuraba because it would declare who would be the contender for the middle weight championship match. Although Sakuraba’s attempted to brush off the damage his physician thought it would be best to forfeit the match to prevent further complications.
The UFC fighting organization has many regulations, one being that fighters are to compete within their weight class. So that it may create a fair opportunity for both fighters. If a fighter decides he wants to fight a certain individual he would need to either to gain or lose weight to fight in another weight class. Hence UFC is a safe sport.
Someone who experienced something similar to “UFC’s” fights is Jason Lin a Martial Arts practitioner and competitor in full contact fights, and is currently holding the rank of “expert” in Muay Thai. He’s been exposed to many martial arts since the age of 7. He was never much of a baseball or basketball player. Knowing there are kids who mention that they all for a certain sport, for him, martial arts was considered his thing, especially Muay Thai. He has trained in jujitsu, Karate and bit of judo as well. But most of his years of training were focused in Muay Thai.
He doesn’t compete anymore, claiming he’s bit too old to compete on that level. But, emotionally he still competes. Although Jason cannot fight, he is a full contact trainer. Meaning he prepares fighters for their fights, mentally and physically. Also makes sure when they fight that he’s at their corner to motivate them and spot them throughout the fight. That is most important to him. The students that he trains become somewhat a reflection of him. He also expressed to see them, go out there and use everything he showed them has no greater reward.
When I asked Jason whether he thought organizations, specifically “UFC” are most violent and a disgrace to martial arts in general? He replied saying “I kind of get this a question a lot. However, I believe such an organization creates a competitive game in which competitors are allowed to put their skills to the test and own them as well as evaluate themselves as a fighter.
The organization, especially the UFC has progressed a lot over time. I remember when the organization itself was under the name “Pride”, when Gracie owned it. During that era I would call it violent, however, nowadays you can see these they have changed so much. They now have about 30 or so regulations when fighting, specifically regarding when the fighter is standing or on his back.”
Even when discussing this organization with an individual who has had experience in this field. You can somewhat understand his point of view, you can tell the organizations has created a positive experience for himself and his students. Although unable to fight he is still able to do what he loves most. As he stated “MMA should not be looked at as violent, but in fact creates a lot of opportunities for individuals to learn about them self and evaluate their characters”.
People may argue that the UFC does not provide a sport, just violence. This is a misconception. The UFC earns a bad reputation from politicians. The negative perceptions of the sport are influenced by politicians such as Senator John McCain. In which He refers to the sport as "cock fighting". This shows he does not know much about the term cock fight as well as the UFC itself. John McCain is fast to claim judgments upon this organization but also forgets to acknowledge his own person life. When McCain attended the Naval Academy he participated in “BOXING”(Espn.com), don’t you think this is most hypocritical of him. Taking part in a sport which can be seen just as violent as UFC , yet he does not care to think that boxing itself can result in any of the same injuries. If McCain was really concerned with the safety of individuals he would or should have never taking part in boxing. And since when does violence matter to this politician. He was involved in the Vietnam war also known as one of the most bloodiest wars. Don’t you think this contradicts his position as well? His assumptions are invalid and not well supported.
Another politician Assemblyman Bob Reilly refers to the sport as "barbaric" and would think about accepting the UFC if fighters were to wear head gear. In doing this does he realize he would change the sport? What about boxing? There have been more incidents in boxing than the UFC. What if you were to put head gear on professional fighters? What will then be the difference between junior and professional boxing? Do you remember what had happen to Muhammad Ali? Boxing is a violent sport; he now suffers from Parkinson disease due to boxing. Need I remind you about the Miguel Cotto fight and Manny Pacquia fight?
People lack awareness of how this organization works. Critics are unaware that this sport has been ongoing throughout time, dating back to the Olympic Games in Athens. When competitors competed to find out who is the best fighter in the world. Ever since then this sport has been a forever growing organization adapting as time goes on for the fighters safety. The 31 restricted moves /regulations that are now given expanded from just the simple idea of getting knocked out or submitted.
People also fail to notice there have been no deaths within the UFC. Some people are unaware that fighters have opportunity tap out, or withdraw from the fight. They are given their own freedom of will. They are not forced to continue a match if they don’t wish to. As well they are able to express concerns they may have regarding an injury with their “corner”.
When involved in any sort of Sport not just UFC. Everyone should expect to get hurt no matter the simplicity of the sport. Although you do forget to think of this, but people do get hurt in the most boring sports as well; a four letter word for boring.. GOLF!. Where a individual is to just putt a ball into a hole. Now if someone can get hurt just from a sport as such don’t you think people are a bit overacting when they say things like UFC is site for injuries. Any of these injuries are bound to happen anywhere even in a place like … I don’t maybe high school, having seen all those fights over “he said/she said”. At least these warriors are trying to improve their character and skills. Like the quote says “to be the best, you have to beat the best”. Not only are they owning their skills but can also become role models to whom those that grew up in unfortunate environment. Some of these fighters were born into household were everything was a struggle, from the day to day life. Having have fought many situations, kids or adults begin to acknowledge this. Which will later influence the youth to always stay motivated. Hopefully people will soon realize this.
Overall UFC It is not a barbaric sport, the misconception of this opinion is due to how easily people are influenced by politicians and are also unaware of the inner workings of the sport. It follows that people’s ignorance are mainly partially to blame for the UFC’s delay to be legalized in New York. Therefore UFC is an acceptably safe sport, therefore should be legalized within the State of New York.
