Growing the Relationship Between Youth and MMA

Not too long ago, Mixed Martial Arts was seen by the vast majority as nothing more than a senseless bloodsport where two men were locked into a cage to viciously assault one another for the amusement of its fans.

While this may be a somewhat gross overstatement of how the sport was viewed in the beginning, MMA has come a long way since.

It has been over 15 years since fans were introduced to the UFC and MMA and during that time this sport has seen a lot of changes.

The sport has grown from no rules and no weight classes to the more refined product that we see today, where there are both weight classes and a unified set of rules approved by the majority of State Athletic Commissions.

As MMA continues to grow in popularity and approaches mass mainstream acceptance, more and more young people are looking to get involved.

Youth sports and competition has long been a part of American culture, yet MMA has not caught on in the same way as the individual martial arts that make up MMA, like karate and wrestling, have.

While there are many MMA gyms that do not offer children’s classes, there are many that do and these programs should be embraced and taken full advantage of.

MMA, just like any of the classical martial arts, teaches its participants important life lessons such as respect, sportsmanship, and the value of hard work.

The biggest obstacle standing in the way of MMA’s relationship with the younger population is parents and their perception of the sport.

MMA has never fully shaken that stigma of bare knuckle barbarism. There are many that are so unfamiliar with MMA that they are unaware of its evolution and surprising track record for safety.

That’s not to say the sport is without danger or risk, as any combat sport has some degree of inherent danger. But, the sport of MMA has done a wonderful job of protecting its athletes since the early days.

Unlike boxing, MMA calls a stop to the action before serious damage can set in. So, while the striking may appear to be more vicious at times, MMA protects its athletes from the cumulative effect of hundreds of landed punches you see in boxing.

As a very young sport, MMA still has a ways to go before it is fully accepted but the best thing that can be done now is to get involved and spread the word. MMA is not just some fad; it’s a sport that is here for the long haul.

For the parents out there who have kids and teens that are eager to get involved in MMA, don’t dismiss their urges. Simply, go to a local gym and see what it is all about first hand. You never know you may just fall in love with the sport yourself.