Mixed Martial Arts: Not a Sport?

From time to time every mixed martial arts fan has bumped into the friend, co-worker, or blogger who loves to tell them "MMA, ha, that's not a sport."  Some say it to get a prescribed response, some actually believe it.  The bottom line is this, history tells us MMA has been a sport in various forms across this world since long before sports were considered sports. 

Historically MMA has been around so much longer than most any other sports many can name on request.  Baseball was first played in 1755.  American football was first played in 1869.  Basketball was first played in 1891.  This seems like a long time for the simple mind.

How about a little history lesson on the origins of Mixed Martial Arts.

Pankration was first recognized around 648 B.C.  The word Pankration means "All Powers" derived from the two words, Pan meaning "All" and Kratos" meaning "Strength" or "Power".

Pankration was basically a combination of boxing and wrestling as they were practiced during this time.  It is considered by some to be the first universal fighting system and essentially the birth of MMA.  It was a contest in the ancient Olympic games.  It gave birth to many forms of combat sports as history shows, and as we know them today.

Two derivatives of Pankration are stated as boxing and wrestling.

Boxing was also derived in ancient Greece.  It is first known to be around 688 B.C.  It too was, and today still is, considered and Olympic sport.

Wrestling transcends cultures and history alike.  Also an Olympic sport, it was not just known in Greece.  There are many different forms of historical wrestling spanning multiple cultures and countries. 

Some styles of wrestling include Catch wrestling, Greco-Roman, even the Russian form of Sambo.  It was even known to be contested in the middle east as early as 1500 B.C.

Shuai Jiao is a form of wrestling practiced in ancient China and thought to be as old as 4000 years.  Some consider it the first known martial art in history.  Simply amazing.

Next we have one of the better known arts within MMA.  Jiu-Jitsu which means "the art of softness"  Yeah right.  Tell that to Tim Sylvia. 

The first known Jiu-Jitsu evolved amongst the Samurai of feudal Japan.  It was a type of grappling.  It is recorded as early as 1333.  Jiu-Jitsu according to history preceded Judo by at least two centuries.

The second more recognizable form of Jiu-Jitsu in the eyes of many MMA fans is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or "BJJ".  BJJ was founded by the great Helio Gracie.  He learned it from a traveler from Japan named Mitsuyo Maeda.

Maeda was sent by his master to travel the world and challenge fighters of all disciplines and spread the art of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.  He taught the Gracie family and they developed their own fighting system known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  The Gracie name permeates the world of MMA today.

Another notable form in MMA is Judo.  Judo means "the gentle way".  It too has been an Olympic sport since 1932.  It was founded by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century.  It has origins similar to Jiu-Jitsu. 

Now that we have a good idea of some of the base styles or disciplines practiced and acknowledged in the world of MMA today, we may have a better basis to argue with the petty arguments one might come across from time to time regarding the quality, or the history of this great sport. 

Some are adverse to change, and don't want to accept something new in their view as to what may be considered a sport and what may not.  MMA is sometimes brutal and difficult to watch.  Other times it is poetic and absolutely remarkable. 

One can not deny the fluidity and melding of these culturally diverse and historical backgrounds that have come together to become the sport many have come to love.

One might wonder, many of the historical combat sports listed above are considered Olympic sports.  Would it not be fitting that someday MMA too becomes an Olympic sport?  Could it not be considered the pinnacle of combat sports as the history of the world has known them?  It would seem fitting that it may someday come to pass.

One thing is for sure.  After hours of research, and years of loyal following in this great fight game, this writer knows one thing for sure with his eyes closed.  MMA is a sport amongst sports.  Many so called true sports can not hold a candle to the history or the basis of MMA in comparison.  MMA athletes put so much on the line to entertain us, and prove themselves through conditioning, dedication, discipline, and most importantly heart.

This is not to say other sports and athletes do not have the same heart or dedication, or even a great history.  It is only to say MMA is comparable if not exceeding in many ways to other mainstream competitive sports. 

No one can take that away from them, or you and I.  Carry on MMA, the trials and tribulations faced by the sport today are due to none other than forward movement and success.  That is a good thing for the sport, and hopefully someday the nay sayers will see through their own smoke screen and accept that this is indeed a truly great sport.

MMA is here to stay and hopefully someday will be revered as more than the "Human cock fight".  It will be recognized by history someday as the great pinnacle of a long history of fighting styles, spanning the globe and history alike, coming together to create a symphony of all martial arts and fighting styles.