MMA: An Appreciation of Pure Violence or Why We Love the All-out Brawl

Sometimes a brawl just works for MMA fans.

At least that's what most will argue.

Not only do brawls keep crowds awake, but they also emphasizes the "fight" that comes with the warrior spirit that everyone talks about.

Even technique freaks can't hate on the pure violence that comes with forward movement and the wild flurry of often-winged punches. Truth be told, the art behind the all-out brawl has evolved greatly from what it once was.

Nowadays, the art of pure violence takes patience, composure and a bit of a technical approach to pull off. No longer can one simply bum-rush foes without getting hit. Now, even brawlers must break their opponents down with either their jab, leg kicks or a clinch to effectively operate in that area of the fight.

Once the opponent feels the damage caused by one of those three offensive techniques, they start to feel frustrated and enter desperation mode.

Once in desperation mode, they throw technique out the window and start hunting for one big shot.

Most of the time, one big shot misses and the combatants usually go back to circling the cage, but sometimes the heated exchange that ensues will at least end with someone getting caught with a shot that hurts them or rocks them.

To put this blueprint in layman's terms, the fighter looking to brawl must use at least a little bit of skill and maybe a touch of technical brilliance in order to bring the fight to their opponent. As the sport of mixed martial arts undergoes its evolution, more fans will learn this truth and be able to pick up on it when watching fights.

However, at the end of the day, nothing satiates a crowd like an exchange in which two guys demonstrate the beauty behind a good old-fashioned hand-to-hand slug-fest.

Even as the sport progresses towards a point where brawling becomes a science all its own, fans will always love the "fights in a phone booth," because what they may lack in technique or form, they make up for in excitement.

When all's said and done, excitement keeps fans begging for more, even if it comes in the form of pure violence.