Ultimate Fighting Championship
If you haven't at least heard of the UFC you've probably been living under a rock. Started in the mid 90s as a spectacle for comparing martial arts against each other, the UFC has gradually developed into a bit of a phenomena across the world by spawning a sport in its own right; Mixed Martial Arts. MMA pits two fighters against each other in a cage who must win in three five minute rounds by knock out, technical knock out, submission or judge's decision. There are some rules mind, these are all fouls:
1. Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Groin attacks of any kind.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
13. Grabbing the clavicle.
14. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
15. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
16. Stomping a grounded opponent.
17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
21. Spitting at an opponent.
22. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
23. Holding the ropes or the fence.
24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
26. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
27. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
30. Interference by the corner.
31. Throwing in the towel during competition.
Even with the rules present, the sport ends up looking completely brutal from a casual spectator's view for Ground and Pound being allowed; a fighter can attack an opponent who has already been knocked off their feet by a strike or kick or rugby tackle-like take down.
In its defence, ground and pound either leads to a quick knock out or by a referee calling Technical Knock out from a multitude of undefended punches. A quick out is probably much better for your brain than fifteen rounds of being punched by a big black guy wearing 16 OZ gloves.
So why do I like the UFC? Well the show is presented kind of like WWE for big boys. Instead of yelling our support for some loud mouthed American redneck roid lover, we're crossing our fingers for some quiet spoken Brazillian like karate expert Lyoto Machida or Muay Thai superstar Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Instead of looking for the power bomb finish, we're egging on two technically gifted athletes who place punches right inside the pocket or put a perfect rear naked choke on their opponent. For those that understand it, ground game isn't always boring - we're looking for that perfect moment when someone finds just the right moment and technique to inflict punishment on their opponent. Of course two half naked men hugging each other looks just a little gay, which puts a lot of people off but once you are comfortable in knowing they're actually trying to hurt each other by a means other than buggery or by giving their opponent a hicky you might appreciate it more.
Another great thing about UFC Is that it's always on at silly o'clock in the morning on a Saturday night. That means you can either stay up drinking and watching it or you can streamed the day after in order to provide entertainment when one has a raging hangover.
In my next post I'm going to talk the upcoming UFC fight and the status of the light heavyweight division.
