On Nov. 12, 1993, at the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship event, fans watched as future UFC hall of fame inductee Royce Gracie defeated boxer Art Jimmerson by verbal submission.
Through what was no more than total frustration, Jimmerson had no recourse but to tap out once he had been mounted by Gracie.
Even after the initial tap out, the ref didn't end the fight. The announcers seemed confused as to what was happening. The fans were not happy.
The idea of a tap out seemed abstract, but became an essential part of that night not only for Gracie, but also for Ken Shamrock who also had a victory due to anklelock over Patrick Smith.
The first generation of MMA in the United States was not pretty. It was intended to find out which martial art or self-defense form was supreme, yet most fighters seem to resort to windmill punches and ill-timed kicks. The brutality was obvious, the skill was lacking.
Once the UFC adopted rules and weight classes the game began to change. The fighters had to become more technical as their options dwindled (i.e. no eye gouging, groin punches or hair pulling).
The fighters became more well rounded, possessed better cardiovascular endurance and put on a better show.
Today, there are over 10,000 men and women in the United States alone that participate in mixed martial arts events from the local to the international level.
MMA is the fasting growing sport in America and the biggest names are as well known as the biggest names in the NBA, MLB, or NFL.
MMA, and the UFC for that matter, have come a long way in 15 years...but has it really become that much better?
Take UFC Fight Night: Fight for the Troops. These were some of the most lopsided fights in recent time. So much so that some states have shown interest in litigation to once again ban the showing of MMA events.
Enter Razak Al-Hassan. He was 7-0 (five by way of submission, mind you) going into his first fight in the UFC. His opponent was former WEC light heavyweight champion Steven Cantwell.
Late in the first round, Cantwell secured an armbar. Al-Hassan refused to tap. The fight ended in what looked like a broken arm for Al-Hassan.
A man that has five of his seven wins via submission refused to tap. He knew what was happening, but he let it happen anyway.
Why?
With all the competitors out there, is it that hard to set-up even matches? With all the fighters out there, is the talent pool so shallow that the UFC can't find fighters that are willing to put self-preservation a little higher on their lists?
Sadly, no.
Unless a fighter has made a name for themselves in the UFC, a single loss can mean that they will never again get a chance to fight on the biggest stage in MMA. The idea of a loss becomes unacceptable. Fighters refuse to tap. Their well-being ceases to matter.
With the level of competition to get to the larger MMA shows, is it that more fans are watching because the fights are better, or just because the fights are getting easier to see?
A lot of men and women out there want to be professional fighters. They dream of the day when they don't need another job and that sponsors and fight purses can pay for them to train everyday. They dream of wearing a championship belt.
That dream forces bad decisions. The competition makes their choices harder and harder.
Ask most fighters, and they will say that they have fought with injuries, some even so far as to say it would be weird to fight without an injury. Their bodies are taking a back seat to their hopes and dreams.
With the rate at which MMA is growing, and the knowledge that literally anyone can begin training MMA and get a chance to at least begin fighting locally, are things going to get better or worse for the sport in terms of brutality and injuries.
For no better reason than the idea of losing will carry with it the idea that a fighter can't take care of themselves financially?
Did MMA get too big, too fast? Will it be its own demise?
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