Opinion: Comparing MMA "Human Dogfighting"

Opinion: Comparing MMA "Human Dogfighting"

I know we have a lot of MMA fans here on the boards, and even some great MMA athletes among our ranks as well. I found this opinion article and thought you guys might want to discuss as well....


The disturbing appeal of ‘human dogfighting’

By Peter Funt | July 29, 2009
WHAT WOULD it take for states to allow high-stakes, televised dog fighting?


The very question is repugnant, yet the blueprint has been drawn with remarkable clarity by promoters of so-called mixed martial arts (MMA), or “human dog-fighting’’ as the New York State Catholic Conference called it in a recent letter to lawmakers. Legislators in Massachusetts and New York are inching closer to sanctioning MMA, joining 40 other states that have abandoned their moral stands against the bloody events in which choking, kicking, and pummeling opponents while they’re on their backs are not only routine, they are the essence of the spectacle. What 10 years ago was an almost invisible “sport,’’ barred in most states, forbidden on broadcast television, and struggling without sponsors, this summer conducted its biggest event yet - a championship in Las Vegas with a $5.1 million gate and many millions more in revenue via pay-television.


It’s been less than a decade since Senator John McCain called these fights “barbaric.’’ MMA is “not a sport’’ he argued in letters to all 50 governors, urging a total ban. What changed in so little time to move this brutal activity troublingly closer to the mainstream?


Supporters say tighter rules - such as eliminating head butts and groin kicks, while adding a requirement that fighters wear small, fingerless gloves - were sufficient to quiet critics. Yet, at the Ultimate Fighting Championship in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, a Los Angeles Times writer observed: “The blood is gushing out. . . just a beautiful sight for the UFC 100 crowd, the folks here in Mandalay Bay screaming with hunger for even more.’’ Another reporter noted that the eventual winner “used at least 17 unanswered blows’’ while his opponent was flat on the canvas.


The UFC circuit was purchased in 2001 for $2 million by Nevada casino owner Lorenzo Fertitta and his brother Frank. Seven years later, Forbes magazine valued the business at $1.1 billion. Financiers, marketers, politicians, and sociologists should all take note.


The brothers hired a former Nevada athletic commissioner to lobby in state capitals; made unabashed political contributions - to, among others, Senator McCain, who has since changed his tune about MMA; created and funded a reality TV series that glamorizes fighters; used aggressive promotion on the Internet; developed video games based on MMA fighting; and signed Bud Light as a sponsor.


For each state legislature the arguments for permitting it became more simplistic: other states are allowing it; there is much tax revenue to be had; by sanctioning it, regulations can perhaps be implemented to protect the fighters.


But the biggest boost to mixed martial arts was delivered by media. Last year CBS broke an informal industry agreement by carrying MMA bouts on national broadcast television.


Newspapers and magazines, torn between ignoring a genuine phenomenon or further legitimizing it through coverage, soon fell in line. Sports Illustrated was among the first to yield to what its editor described as “an ironically ethical alternative to boxing.’’ In the tortured reasoning of Terry McDonell, “[Boxers] take so many head shots that they can end life with permanent brain damage. MMA may look more brutal, but the many ways fighters can strike, grab, punch and kick an opponent tends to mean less overall permanent damage.’’


The New York Times recently declared mixed martial arts a “mainstream sport.’’ The point was made within a truly bizarre account detailing how MMA fighters are turning to plastic surgery to alter bones and tissue so that when hit in the face they will be less likely to bleed.


In his book “Blood in the Cage,’’ whose title refers to the chained enclosure, or cage, in which MMA events are staged, sportswriter L. Jon Wertheim suggests, “MMA is a stiff jab to overprotective social engineers . . . a sport for Hemingways in a culture of Dr. Phils.’’


Such thinking only goes so far. If dog fighting were to be sanctioned and televised, there would undoubtedly be a sizeable audience, consisting of the eager, the curious, and even the repulsed. Presumably that would lead to expensive ring-side seats, video games, and a beer sponsorship. But lawmakers, media, and business people would never condone it. Why they are willing to view “human dog-fighting’’ differently is something the culture of Dr. Phils ought to consider.


Peter Funt is a writer and TV host.

 

Re: Opinion: Comparing MMA "Human Dogfighting"

Did anyone say unbiased reporting? lmao

The Catholic officials should be cleaning their own internal issues before looking to fix anything else. Yet, their way of "fixing" is moving priest around and hiding things under the proverbial carpet.

They should stop spitting upwards...

OK, so 40 States is basically the majority of the United States....This ignorant fool named Peter Funt feels the majority of "Americans" have abandoned their moral stands.....I think the majority have actually done some thinking on the subject rather than follow someone else's opinion like sheep to the slaughter.

People fear what they do not understand. That was 10 years ago....after the UFC made it a point to EDUCATE the public, most understood and accepted this wonderful sport now dubbed MMA. A prime example is that 5.1 million gate + million more in PPV.

So the few should make rules for the many? I DO NOT THINK SO BUDDY.

Aaaaah, Mr. McCain....for years I scratched my head wondering how a man who enjoyed boxing could dislike MMA so much.....UNTIL.....I found out he is (or was) in bed with Budweiser....the main sponsor of boxing.....That turned the light bulb all the way on. Pure and simple, Johnny boy was doing the dirty work to protect boxing revenue.....

Curious that "Bud light" is the main sponsor of the UFC.....coincidence or politics at work?

Fact, boxing has had several deaths and many, many fighters who ended up with brain related illnesses due to their years in Boxing. The biggest name in boxing (ALI) is an easy example. In my years of watching boxing I have seen boxers carried on a stretcher or die due to complications relating to the sport. Yet, John McCain was not screaming bloody murder nor demanded these events to stop.

Ding, ding....sensible writing.....but fear the next part will turn it into cynicism.

Yes, yes, yes....all sensible business practices.....The Ferlittas did not create a new way of doing business, they followed the standard practice of doing so. I wonder what was his point in writing this? I will not think too hard as he obviously does not either.

Lordy, lordy, lordy....this guy is confused or just plain dumb? Did the Ferlittas lie? Absolutely NOT. Each State that has sanction MMA has improved their tax related gains and fighter safety within their borders. All positive things for any growing or large city and State.

Totally agree with the Sports Illustrated editor's comments. Boxers may go 15 rounds of constant pounding to limited areas of the head. It is a proven fact that too many boxers have ended up brain damaged and living in the streets.....If a sport is in need to some adjusting, it is boxing and how it treats its boxers and retired pugilists.

The reason MMA should be considered a mainstream sport is 5.1 million in gate revenues PLUS many more millions in PPV.

I am sure the medical profession will also benefit from fighters who seek to heal previously inoperable injuries. The demand will always be the father of innovation.

We could only dream Dog Matching was legalized and sanction.....there would be no more dogs shot in the head, drowned (as stated in news reports), burned, etc. The athletes would be cared for by professional Vets, which in turn would prompt that field to improve their methods and tools.

The reporter also fails to mention that dog matching involves people from all walks of life.....from priests, teachers, lawyers, doctors, law enforcement...to unfortunately criminals and thugs.

Unfortunately, no millionaire has ever had the balls to risk their wealth the same way the Ferlittas risk theirs to promote MMA.

 

Re: Opinion: Comparing MMA "Huam Dogfighting"

Great thoughts Rocky - I knew you guys here would not let me down on this one. Looking forward to some others getting in on their thoughts on this article.

I believe this is an opinion piece by the way and was labeled as so in the paper - so I don't think the author is too concerned about seeming biased, although I do agree with you.

 

Re: Opinion: Comparing MMA "Huam Dogfighting"

it just goes to show when they say it cant be done its done
had a lobbiest talk for him
modified the rules
made the money taxable
and reap the rewards
genious
bump the press some body has to hate

 

Re: Opinion: Comparing MMA "Huam Dogfighting"

For those that are really into human combat sports Rocky made a MMA group a while back for the discussion of MMA/boxing.

No dog talk allowed.Nothing but fight predictions,event discussions and stuff.

Post a reply or a PM to Rocky if your interested in joining the group.