2009 In Review: MMA Goes Further Into The Mainstream

Not too long ago, MMA had only a 'hardcore' following and people like Sen. John McCain were referring to the sport as "human cockfighting". In the words of Fatboy Slim, "you've come a long way way baby".

MMA didn't make it's first mainstream appearance in '09, but it permeated society deeper than ever before in both highly visible and subtle ways.

Let me start with Chuck Liddell appearing on Dancing with the Stars. The Iceman, known for his brutal KOs and heavy partying, cha-cha'ed & sashayed his way into the hearts of middle-aged women across America, mo-hawk and all. Strikeforce made its first appearance on NBC, right after a major college football game. Kimbo mania, though started in '08, continued its fervor with Ferguson featured on TUF 10. Brock Lesnar, who unified the UFC Heavyweight title on 7/11/09 vs. Frank Mir, and Bobby Lashley successfully transitioned from the WWE. Shaq expressed interest in fighting after his NBA career. Even Jose Canseco threw his steroid riddled ass in the ring to make a quick buck (emphasis on quick). Additionally, next month, 47-year old former Heisman winner, Olympic two-man bob-sledder and fifth degree Tae Kwon Do black belt Herschel Walker will make his Strikeforce debut.

And then there are the subtle things. Promotions for upcoming UFC events are featured prominently in Time Square, which is among the most expensive advertising spaces on earth (see above picture). The 'old school' head coach of the NY Jets, Rex Ryan, has noted that he wants a, "ground and pound offense". On 12/29/09, multiple segments on MMA were featured on Fox News, with reporter Claudia Cowen reporting live in San Jose, CA at the American Kickboxing Academy throughout the day.

What is the reason behind MMA's continual growth? For one, it has become generally accepted that MMA is safer than many of the other sports out there, including those that our nation holds closest to our core values - cheerleading & football. Cheerleading, according to an NBC Sports article published on 6/28/09, "... continues to cause more injuries and deadly injuries by far than any other sport". In regards to football, can you say concussions? I better be careful, Mike Leach might lock me in a shed.

And finally, MMA is popular because it's fascinating, which shouldn't be a surprise to any observer of modern human history. Prize fighting has drawn huge audiences in modern times, Rome built large arenas for its gladiators (circa 3rd century BC), and the Greeks introduced pankration (a blend of boxing and wrestling) into its Olympic Games in 648 BC. Not too mention the unconscionable array of brutalities we inflict on animals for our entertainment -- cock fighting (a pastime in the Indus Valley Civilization by 2000 BC), fox hunting, bull fighting, bear baiting, dog fighting and hare coursing, to name a few. How barbaric is modern MMA, with its sanctioned rules, weight classes, timed rounds, purses, trained & consenting athletes, experienced referees, fight doctors, mouth guards, crotch protectors, and training facilities in the context of the bloody history of human past times?

Or take MMA's growing popularity from John Scott, Co-Anchor of "Happening Now" on Fox News, "It's the story of America really. A place where just about anyone can make it big buck if they dedicate themselves, work hard, use their minds and occasionally take a kick to the head. Mixed martial arts apparently captures the drama that a lot of folks enjoy. Its one of the fastest spectator sports in the nation."

Amen brother.