Open Mic: UFC, MMA Battling for the Top Spot

There are a number of ways to define athletes.

An athlete can be someone who possesses talent in a particular sport. It can be a person who is built, rippling with muscle and testosterone. It can be any number of things.

For the purposes of this article, an athlete will be defined as a person with overall athletic ability, meaning speed, strength, endurance, talent—the full package.

And, in my eyes, the fighters of the UFC and MMA are the top of the bunch.

Here's why. We can immediately rule out baseball, golf and tennis. These sports require TALENT (the hardest feat in sports is hitting a major league pitch) but not much athleticism. Of all of them, in fact, tennis probably requires the most athletic ability, and that's saying something.

Next, we can take out volleyball, track and field, bicycling, swimming and hockey. While these sports require a lot of endurance and some talent, much of the strength aspect of these sports is dominated by lean muscle. Thus, you see a lot of the players of these sports as not as physically dominating. These sports get put on the chopping block because their players simply do not possess the physical strength of some other sports.

Finally, the best of the best go down, the most popular sports, basketball, football and soccer. These sports fail to make the grade because, whatever way you shake it, the members of the UFC and MMA are simply better built.

Look at it this way. Most soccer, football and basketball players are superb all-around athletes. However, by looking at the way they train, compete, and perform, you can tell that the mixed martial arts fighters of the world have to be in the best shape of any athlete you throw in the mix. They have to be stronger and faster than football players, more explosive than basketball players, and have more endurance than soccer players. What they do is so physically demanding, they have no choice.

If you have ever tried to wrestle, you know what I'm talking about. Even a two minute round can take a lot out of you because you put everything you have into every round. It's draining. VERY draining. Thus, fighters have to be at their best in order to win, and their best has to be better than even the most elite athletes.

It takes mental willpower, talent, strength, skill, speed, power, endurance and all-around ability to be a mixed martial arts fighter. It also takes years of training and dedication. People need to learn to respect the art that these fighters practice, and recognize that, stacked next to other athletes, most of these fighters would put the rest to shame.