Mixed Martial Arts

ME: Mike, as a "journalist", I would think you'd spend more time doing research before putting your obviously uneducated thoughts on paper. I imagine, at this point, I have your attention. If not, continue on, I have some comments about your recent article trashing the UFC and mixed martial arts.

MIKE: "UFC barbarians at the gate, trying to destroy boxing by polluting pay-per-view with their brand of low-brow, ghetto-fabulous hooliganism" You make this statement as if Dana White and the folks at the UFC are trying to destroy boxing.

ME: They have given athlete's (not hooligans) a chance to showcase their talents (to include boxing) in a different forum. Many MMA fighters started as boxer's and evolved into true switch or free style fighters. MMA will not replace boxing because boxing is part of MMA.

MIKE: Mixed martial arts will never be as good as boxing on its worst day. Many of the ultimates are nothing but thugs and ruffians. All that league has done is take a few former nightclub bouncers, knuckle crackers and parolees, put on some fancy TV graphics and told them, "Kick the other guy in the nuts."

ME: Actually, Mike, the league has taken athletes and artist's from different disciplines and given them a chance to prove that the style they study is the best (something that has been going on since the birth of combat fighting - do some research).

MIKE: No skill is required to knee someone in the groin (and it happens despite rules stating it is illegal). I'm kneeing Doyel in the groin now. See, was that difficult?

ME: No skill is required?? You are so unbelievably uneducated it's frightening. Who allows you to write for public consumption? By the way, are head butting and low blows legal in boxing?? No, but it happens despite rules stating it is illegal - that's part of the game - so what point are you trying to make??

MIKE: The UFC has no credibility. UFC equals the Ultimate Farcical Clown league.

ME: No credibility? Have you ever heard of the Gracie family...obviously not? Did you do ANY research?

MIKE: And please do not wax poetic about the UFC's popularity. Of course people watch the UFC. It's human cockfighting. It appeals to the lowest common denominator of human existence.

ME: Fighting, in general terms, is compelling because people enjoy watching two men or women impose their will on one another. They like to see someone, who is seemingly beaten, get up and continue to push forward when most people would not. Boxing, karate, kick boxing, MMA...it's all about will regardless of the venue or style. MMA is a thinking mans game. Not only do you have to change your style depending on your opponent but while fighting you have to worry about his / her hands, feet, and being taken down. Once you are on the ground you will have to rely on your grappling, wrestling, BJJ skills. If you have no ground fighting skills, your take down and submission defense better be sharp.....it's a lot more involved then you've bothered to understand.

MIKE: The message boards and my e-mail will be irradiated with balderdash about how the mainstream media is simply a bunch of snobs and we don't "get" the Ultimate Farcical Clown league. I love the NFL. Only Roman gladiators had a more dangerous sporting profession. The NFL is more violent than the UFC, but football at least possesses a veneer of being civilized.

ME: Civilized - what the hell are you talking about? Boxing, MMA...two guys trying to knock each other out, the only difference is the style being used.

MIKE: No UFC goon has or ever will possess the grace and natural showmanship of De La Hoya or the true fearsome fighting skills of Mayweather.

ME: Chuck, GSP, Matt Serra, Hughes, the Gracie's, Randy, just to name a few. Goons, I think not. They are the best at what they do....stand up and ground fighting....technical artists trained, disciplined and focused.

MIKE: Notice the word: skills. This match will not resemble a bar-room brawl but meticulous, highly practiced, man-to-man warfare between two skilled, all-time athletes.

ME: BJJ, grappling, wrestling, Judo, Kick Boxing, MT, Boxing etc... - no skill required?? Have you ever studied any martial art? By the way, Mike, it only appears like a bar room brawl because you don't understand the styles and techniques when you see them - RESEARCH anyone???

MIKE: The UFC should be banned; the De La Hoya-Mayweather bout should be embraced.

ME: Did you know that De La Hoya trained with Diego Sanchez before this fight (MMA fighter). Ask Oscar what he thinks of Diego (Thug or Athlete?), be careful Oscar may knock you out!

MIKE: The fact a non-heavyweight match is getting so much attention shows that boxing still has appeal (and even I once thought it was dead). The fact boxing has survived despite so many scandals and crooked promoters demonstrate it has resilience. Again, boxing is a great and pure sport as is MMA.

MIKE: Then maybe we can begin to put the sad joke that is the UFC behind us.

ME: JOKE? Look at the numbers Mike, do some research and call me when you've been in the cage or on a grappling mat!!