Too young, too extreme

There’s a movement is the Missouri legislature to ban MMA matches-known as ‘cage fighting’ to most people unfamiliar with the sport –among minors.

I could not agree more. WHY is this even an issue in the ‘Show Me’ state? I say this as an MMA fan-introduced to the sport by my martial arts instructors on Long Island. MMA has a greater following than boxing nowadays. This coming from a guy who could quote you all the ‘linear’ heavyweight champs (none of this alphabet soup stuff) from John L. Sullivan to Mike Tyson.

Even if these cage ‘matches’ in Missouri are adult supervised with protective gear, the potential damage to bodies that haven’t matured is scary. Kids get cuts and bruises from karate and kick boxing with pads-I’ve seen it, I’ve done it, I know. Cage fighting, with body slams, elbows, and choke holds-most GROWNUPS want no part of it.

WATCH VIDEO OF CAGE FIGHTING AFTER THE JUMP...

Two other things to consider: Will the negative (though properly so) publicity damage the growing popularity of MMA? We’ll have to wait and see. But more importantly, it would be nice to see UFC’s Dana White and other MMA organizations (IFL, WEC, etc.) get behind this-REMINDING kids AND adults that learning MMA in a good school is one thing. Having kids imitate Chuck Liddell or Matt Hughes in a cage-that’s something MUCH different.

Such a promotional campaign would be more than Vince McMahon or Don King has EVER done to make wrestling and/or boxing safer. If he plays his cards right, Dana White and other MMA promoters could turn a potential disaster into a positive. IT HAS TO BE THOROUGH and far reaching. Like wrestling, MMA is geared to the 18-34 demographic-kids not much younger find new heroes, and sometimes with horrific results. Several years ago, Lionel Tate, then a 13 year old Florida teenager, killed a 6 year old thanks to wrestling moves he’d seen on TV. Correct me if I’m wrong, but McMahon hardly shed a tear.

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Take a look at Chris Glorioso's story on the goings-on in Missouri: