MMA is the New Boxing, but is it More Dangerous?

Joel Maliskas explores whether or not MMA is safer than the Sweet Science.

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April 10, 2008

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OK, so the argument about MMA replacing good old-fashioned has probably been ran into the ground, but which is really more dangerous?

Boxing is thought to have started about 1,500 years ago with the ancient Greeks.

We don't know how many deaths were caused back in those days, but in modern times boxing has proved to be much less fatal than many sports.

The list includes: horse racing, scuba diving, and even college football. Boxing does, though, cause quite a bit of brain damage.

All right, so boxing has endured criticism about the violence and danger for many years, now we will compare it to our new love affair, MMA.

MMA has caused only one death in its history. Now, MMA is only officially 15 years old. Hardly long enough to get a true grasp on the risks.

In addition, does MMA have the classic and classy touch that boxing started with?

I have an image in my mind of the gentlemen duking it out in a friendly sparring session. I understand that there is good sportsmanship in UFC as well, but how classy is it overall?

So far, boxing seems to be more dangerous, but it's only a matter of time before MMA takes a bad turn.

Also, how long can MMA last anyway?

We will have to give it a few more years and see if it doesn’t fade away on its own.

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comments (4) write a comment »

reply to comment by Anonymous
3 months ago

there's already been an MMA death (Sammy Vasquez) and it wasn't a huge blow, evidenced by the fact you hadn't heard of it
1. by alan
  from 3 months ago
  
  Also, sammy vasquez didn't die in the ring, but 2 weeks post fight due to a complicated blood clot in his brain.
  
  Whether or not this was stimulated through the fight is debatable.
reply to comment by alan
3 months ago

MMA is not the title of a certain fighting style, but the title of many fighting styles.

There have been many deaths in the competition of many fighting styles, kick boxing, muay thai, and other martial arts.

Of course, its as classy as boxing, they hug at the end don't they?

BTW Don't mind that knot on your head!!
reply to comment by Ryan
3 months ago

MMA is the new boxing. What the hell does that mean? Boxing is not dead, and it won't be leaving us anytime soon. It's all about money, until George St. Pierre makes twenty million a fight, boxing is gonna stick around. Nobody thinks that Judo will no longer be an olympic sport because of the rise of MMA. Sports that are the components of MMA won't go away, if anything it may generate some hype. As far as "classy" goes, real men wear four ounce gloves.