MMA Rules in Arizona—Hey, What's Up?

When I last visited my brother who lives in Arizona, I lost more than a few brain cells due to the oppressive heat.  My MS does not react well to heat and at that time in April of 2000, I was injecting Copaxsone which has to be kept refrigerated (like insulin) to slow the progression of my MS symptoms.

Well it is not hot where I am now in my air conditioned home in Illinois, but I just lost even more brain cells reading about the insanity of MMA fight rules in Arizona.

There was a "Rage in the Cage" event with 20 fights, 14 of them on the amateur level, held in Prescott Arizona at Tim's Toyota Center Saturday night ( July 26, 2008).

Due to the state's boxing and athletic commission which regulates the sport to see that it is "safe although violent," there is a rule that allows only open handed slapping; that is NO closed fists allowed in the fights.

I know, I know, like me, you are thinking "WTF is going on in Arizona?  That is not even close to MMA fighting!"

Apparently we sane folks questioning this are not alone.  Many of the spectators left in frustration and while still questioning the sanity of the commissioners in making such a rule at the intermission.

Imagine the fighters' frustration as well upon mounting an opponent and slapping them silly with no resulting knock outs. 

Whoa Nelly!  I bet the testosterone level was running high!

Joe Riggs previously of UFC fame was there, but fortunately for him, he managed to put his foe Matt Dempsey away with a rear-naked choke. 

Lucky him.

I am not an MMA fighter, but somehow, (even though it used to be a frequently used threat of mine), I just cannot picture myself finishing anyone off by slapping them silly. 

With the numbness in my hands, I would be lucky to slap them at all.  Never in anyone's wildest imagination could I slap someone into tomorrow or next week.

Oh well, I would probably kill them by just sitting on them. 

Yeah,  now that's "my" signature move.