UFC Vs. Boxing: No Holds Barred

I was sitting at a local sports bar with some friends on the night of the big fight when I noticed something different. No, it wasn't the crowd or what they were doing. The people were wearing "Tapout" t-shirts, knocking one back, making noise and ruckus like a normal sports bar crowd would. They were enjoying themselves and talking about the fight. Sure enough, a crowd ready for some ripe blood-gushing action.

But as my friends and I took our seats, what we realized was that the screens were not tuned into the "big fight"-Bernard Hopkins versus Joe Calzaghe. In fact, to our chagrin, we realized that that fight was actually over. (And as I would find out later, the fight was pretty darn good too, by most accounts.) Yet no one left his or her seat-and in fact, the place was even more packed than ever--and all were tuned into the other "big fight" on screen--UFC's sanctioned square-off between Canadian star Georges St. Pierre versus reigning champion Matt Serra.

So we sat through the fun affair. The undercard bouts were good appetizers. We were intrigued. But the fight itself did not really live up to the hype--Serra was just overmatched by St. Pierre. The match lasted no more than a quick two rounds, about ten or fifteen minutes total--if you count the quick respite and commercial in between the rounds. Yet I still could not help but think it held more intrigue than the enduring twelve round B-Hop/Calzaghe showdown.

That's when it dawned on me that there is a new age of sport in our wake. A sport that is much like a fierce, hot-headed beast ready to be unleashed on the streets and stampede over anybody that dare gets in its way.

At last, mixed martial arts (MMA) has arrived.

With new primetime television deals, more glorified commercial ads, and coverage rivaling that of boxing in sports broadcasts like ESPN, MMA and specifically, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) has propelled a new sport on the map. Not that it has been new--the sport itself has been going on for decades--but it is only just starting to hit the mainstream and take the people by storm.

So what is it about the sport, exactly? Why are viewers now seeming to find themselves more drawn to things like UFC and Pride (well, at least before they got bought out)? Upon contemplating this deeply-profound question, and discussing with some friends, I began to come up with some possible explanations:

1. Intriguing story-lines/characters.

Part of this might have to do with the reality TV series, "The Ultimate Fighter," but it seems like the overall landscape of MMA fighters is more appealing and inviting than it is for boxing fans. Sure, you definitely have several big names in the boxing forum, but not since good ol' Iron Mike has there really been someone whom any average joe off the street could hail as a poster boy for the sport. Aside from boxing styles, one would be hard-pressed to list what really makes him different from the other.

In the UFC realm, not only do you have several fighters who hail from all parts of the world-Canada, England, Russia, Croatia, Japan, so forth-but also those who have made names for themselves through legendary battles. You have the Chuck Liddells, Randy Coutures, those hard-working blue-collar type people who enjoy their fight club Saturday nights. You even have a popular Ken Shamrock who garnered great popularity in the WWE only to return to his roots to address smack-talk from a certain Tito Ortiz. Sadly, it is rare to find that kind of intrigue in the boxing sphere today.

2. Mainstream marketing and advertisements.

Dana White, the current president of UFC, is nothing short of brilliant when it comes to marketing. Although UFC started with a small legion of followers, White took it upon himself to market the league. After the Zuffa purchase in 2001, the company decided to create the aforementioned reality series as well as broadcast their bouts on SpikeTV, following the highly popular WWE timeslot. Those who would have just watched fake spandex grappling did not have to move a step with more (real) action following.

Then you also have rapid expansion and open promotion through Internet outlets. You have a certain Kimbo Slice who punched (and took punches) his way to stardom through video clips on YouTube. Not to mention the several bouts that can be found for free online. All this, of course, means tons and tons of wanted exposure.

3. Extreme action always!

This is where "tough meets classy," kind of like that Chuck Norris car commercial. This is a bloody sport and you have devastating blows to body parts, buckets of blood and bad bruises. You can expect that once the bell rings all hell is ready to break loose. Fight on foot or on the ground. Use your arms, legs, feet, even knees! It is as close to "anything goes" as one can imagine. But remember, these guys also have black belts in Jiu Jitsu and karate and various other forms of martial arts. So it takes a certain "class" of fighter and specific, well-prepared battle plans for each one heading into each bout.

Boxing has that too, of course, but maybe people are just tired of seeing the use of hands. There is a certain magic, art, and strategy to the boxing game-something that cannot ever be taken away. However, it is more slow and prodding then a mixed martial arts game that endorses both the man-phrases "ultimate" and "no holds barred." The buzz only grows with the end of each UFC bout.

So I guess it might just be time for us to say "hello" to UFC and for them to hang up those red Everlast boxing gloves. Well, that is until the boxing committee decides to either reinstate Mike Tyson or legalize ear-biting. Sigh.