Alan Makar
Prof. McCormick
ENG103
24, October 2010
Research Paper
Basis of Argument
• Argument-I will argue that the UFC is an acceptably safe sport, therefore should be legalized in the State of New York.
• Premise 1- Codes of conduct and rules make a safe sport.
• Premise 2- Given, the UFC has a code of conduct and rules.
Conclusion- It follows then, that the UFC is a safe sport.
Brief History/ intro-
In the past throughout history, our world that we have come to know has always had some sort of entertainment. We could have carelessly cared how "violent" it really was. Rewinding to the past to ancient Rome people/citizens were put in an arena with beasts twice their individual size for pure enjoyment/punishment. Did we 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 people 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 arm 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 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 addressed it as being forbidden within the state, for its violence which was referred to as "Human cock fighting" as Senator John McCain would state. But, this is misleading notion; in this essay I will argue that the UFC is an acceptably safe sport, therefore 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.
Codes of conduct and rules make 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. 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"(USOC.org) 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 importances 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.
This 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.
Conclusion- Hence UFC is a safe sport.
Rebuttal
People may argue that the UFC does not provide a sport, just violence. This is a misconception.
Premise 1- the UFC earns a bad reputation from politicians
Evidence1- The negative perceptions of the sport is 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.
Evidence 2- 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 (like) in boxing than the UFC. 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?
Premise 2- People lack awareness of how the organization works.
Evidence 1- People are unaware that this sport has been ongoing throughout time, dating back to the Olympic Games in Athens to find 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.
Evidence 2-There has been no deaths within the UFC. Some people are unaware that fighters have opportunity tap out, or withdraw from the fight. Also there are 31 restricted moves, and there are weight classes for safety precautions.
Conclusion- It follows that UFC has a bad reputation due to people’s ignorance.
Conclusion
Restate Argument- UFC is an acceptably safe sport, therefore should be legalized within the State of New York.
Brief Summary/conclude- 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.
Interview(Jason Lind)
1) What styles of martial arts have you practice over the years?
A: I have been involved in Martial Arts from the age of seven; I was never much of a baseball or basketball player. You know there are kids who mention that they all for a certain sport, well, martial arts is my thing, especially Muay Thai. I have trained in jujitsu, Karate and bit of judo as well. But most of my years of training were focused in Muay Thai and I currently hold the rank of “expert”.
2) Do you still compete in full contact fights?
Currently …no (chuckles) I am a bit too old for that. But emotional I still compete. Although I cannot fight, I am a full contact trainer. Meaning I prepare my fighters for their fights, mentally and physically. I also make sure when they fight that I am at their corner to motivate them and spot them throughout the fight. This is most important to me.
The students that I train become somewhat a reflection me and just to see them, go out there and use everything I showed them… there’s no better reward, especially if they win (laughs) .
3) Do you think organizations, specifically “UFC” are most violent and a disgrace to martial arts in general?
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.
Notes/Next steps:
Part 1: got an interview with “JASON LIND” need to find out where I can put this section in the essay. And need to finish the interview this Saturday.
Part2: start constructing the paragraphs, as well as look for better transitional lines, to introduce the topic. Also work on thinking about another argument maybe.
