Martial Arts Professional Magazine

In the context of martial arts, as well as athletics as a whole, I see the UFC and mixed martial arts as an evolution of several disciplines, and the birth of a new breed of extremely talented fighters that are athletically cultured; that is to say they are forced to absorb several different styles of martial arts to succeed. In the “major league” of mixed martial arts: the Ultimate Fighting Championship, they find their well-deserved spotlight.

The UFC itself is the most accredited and versed institution for professional mixed martial artists to showcase their talents and battle for the title of the world’s best fighter-respective to their weight class. It is allowing these renaissance fighters to ascend the bloodied gyms to the main stage, where their chance to perform becomes their reward for the training that can arguably be called the most demanding in the world. This celebration of talent and grueling discipline is certainly well-hosted by the UFC.

The competition that thrives within the UFC fuels the rapidly evolving sport that is MMA. It is pushing these artists – and rightly deemed “artists”- to new heights, and it can be said with some assurance that eventually the sport will be scheduling bouts between fighters who are of professional boxing or kick-boxing caliber, as well as professional wrestling and grappling caliber, all manifested in one single athlete; a complete and elite fighter. Who can deny that this progression of athletic talent and the influx of creativity into the seemingly refined subject- taught generation to generation with the lessons of old- is something to behold as great and extremely positive for martial arts?

The evolution of martial arts extends to another medium thanks to the UFC: to the couches and living rooms of people all over the world. What respect people have for these athletes! And what respect they find for each other; amazingly, after battling round after round through pain and constant, exhaustive motion! Whether a drunk or a drug addict or any affliction a fighter could possibly be titled with, these mixed martial artists still have within them a persistence and determination to succeed that anybody can learn from, and the UFC delivers this to our homes.

Progress is frightening and exciting, and MMA can certainly be seen as both, but it is surely a progression that will take martial arts to new heights physically, mentally and publicly. The UFC simply structures the system of events that allow for the evolution of the sport, and allows MMA the global publicity, popularity, and pride it deserves.