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UFC: Top 5 Fighters You Want with You When Stranded on an Island

The UFC layoff is almost over, and The Ultimate Fighter has been a nice IV drip in the meantime. Now we’re about to get back on the grind. Easter is over and now all of those who sacrificed through Lent are indulging themselves. Right before we get thi…

At some point in your life, you probably have played the game where you think of the one item you would bring with you if you were to going to be stranded on an island and had to survive. Since most of us are not Bear Grylls, we need a little help. What better than bringing some MMA fighters with you?

This is a quick list of five UFC fighters that would be helpful to have by your side when all else seems lost!

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B/R Interview with One-Armed, Undefeated MMA Fighter Nick Newell

Nick Newell is an exciting lightweight fighter, currently fighting in the XFC. His record is 6-0, with each one of his wins ending in the first round.He started off his professional career with a TKO victory. He then went on to secure five submission w…

Nick Newell is an exciting lightweight fighter, currently fighting in the XFC. His record is 6-0, with each one of his wins ending in the first round.

He started off his professional career with a TKO victory. He then went on to secure five submission wins including two armbars, two rear-naked chokes and one heel hook. He will be fighting at XFC 17 on April 13 in Jackson, Tenn., against Chris Coggins.

Born missing his left hand and most of his left forearm, Newell has overcome adversity and shown what having heart and determination can do.

Newell sat down with Bleacher Report’s Gregory Chase for a talk about his upcoming fight, his background, how he got into MMA and how he competes as a fighter while only having one full arm to work with.

Check out the video above, or read the transcript below!

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GC: Sitting here at Ultimate MMA with Nick Newell in Connecticut. You have a fight coming up on April 13 at XFC 17: Apocalypse against Chris Coggins who is 5-1. How do you see this fight going?

NN: I’m gonna win wherever the fight goes. I’m prepared for a five-round battle, even though it is only a three round fight, and you know, I’m going to be looking to do what I normally do and that’s push the pace and make it MY fight. If I can finish it quick, then I’ll finish it quick. But Chris is a tough guy, and he’s got a great record. He beat a guy who has wins over UFC guys, and he was good as an amateur too, so he’s got a lot of experience, and he’s tough; well rounded fighter, so I expect it to be a good fight, but in the end I’m gonna win because I’m going to be better than him wherever the fight goes.

GC: Coggins is coming off of three submission victories, and you have your own run of submission victories right now. What does mean to you? How does that change up your gameplan? How do you approach this fight differently?

NN: You know, I’m a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, under Andrew Calandrelli. I’m not too worried about his submissions. Obviously I’m going to respect his game, but if you’re going to beat me on the ground, you’re going to have to be pretty damn good. I’m comfortable if it goes to the ground. I think that him saying that he’s going to knock me out tells me that he’s uncomfortable going to the ground with me. He has three submissions out of all his wins, I have five, and he’s got three armbars in a row, so obviously I’m going to watch out for that. But I also have two armbar wins as a pro and I have another armbar win as an amateur, so does that mean I’m an armbar guy, too? (laughs). I’m prepared for whatever he gives me, whatever he brings my way.

GC: Have you done anything different to prepare for Coggins?

NN: No, my training camp is usually the same. I’m going to work hard regardless. He wanted to do a catchweight fight at 152 pounds, so that kinda made me train a little bit harder, because I’m a little worried about making weight more, but no matter who I fight I always have a ton of respect for them. I just train as hard as I can and just get ready for anything…because something can click in a guy and he can be different from one day to the next, so you never know what you’re going against.

GC: He’s going to be fighting in his home state; does the crowd ever affect you at all? Do you let that get to you?

NN: No, I mean I don’t even really hear the crowd. When I fight, I just hear my coaches, that’s about it. When I go through my head, I do a lot of visualizations. I visualize myself, everyone cheering for me (laughs). So no matter what happens, I’m just gonna picture that. My last fight I fought a guy in his home state and everyone cheered for me too, so it doesn’t really matter to me. But I think I’m a pretty respectful guy and stuff like that. I don’t really care if people boo me, but I try to give them a bunch of reasons not to (laughs).

GC: One of the biggest hypes about you is how successful you are, and yet you only have one hand to work with. You’ve had one hand since birth, you didn’t have it then lost. Have you found in MMA that your left arm sort of wants to do what the right does, or does it just feel completely natural?

NN: This is how I was born, it’s all natural for me. It would be nice sometimes to have a little length…to be able to throw a cross. But I compensate well and I mix it in with my elbows. That actually gives me a style that’s kinda really unorthodox , and it’s hard for a lot of people to get a read on. You know, so there’s the give and the takes. I can’t throw a cross, but it’s forced me to get better at everything else I throw, and it’s helped my gap with my elbow and mixing up the attacks and coming in at weird angles.

GC: In training how do you adapt with your arm, where do you see the biggest disadvantages with it, and where do you see the biggest advantages?

NN: It’s all just natural. There’s not much of a difference. My grip is a little tighter, but I just have to get deeper. If other people did moves as deep as I do, then their grip would be crazy tight too, there’s really no difference. The one thing is that before I started, if I was getting attention before I started they’d say “Oh, this guy could never fight! How’s he ever gonna tap someone out or grab someone?” or do something like that. You know, I did it, I went and I did it, and now I’m doing it and people are saying “Oh, that’s an advantage!” now. People are just gonna say things no matter what, but I have a lot of supporters too that are behind me 100 percent, so I’m trying to focus more on that stuff [smiles].

GC: Are there rules or regulations that you have run into because of your arm? You had mentioned on Inside MMA that it was hard to get fights for yourself, for instance.

NN: Yeah, not a lot of people wanted to fight me, locally. They all wanted to protect their records. They try to use my arm as an excuse to duck me, because they knew that they were going to lose. When I was just an amateur, I didn’t really have that much trouble finding a fight, or my first pro fight or anything like that. But once people kinda figured out that I was good, they kinda used it as a way like “Oh, I’ll kill that guy!” If you can kill me, why don’t you fight me, you know, if it’s an easy win?

GC: Did you run into anything as far as requirements of wearing padding. Is there any kinds of rules in place that say what you can or can’t throw as far as strikes?

NN: Here’s the thing, the issue that a lot of people bring up, and I’m actually happy that you brought this up. Because a lot of people are like “Oh, he’s hitting with his arm, that’s cheating!” I hit with my elbow, so there’s no special rules, there’s nothing different. I don’t hit with the end of it [points to arm]. If I did, it would hurt me more than it would hurt the other guy. It would jam my arm. I just don’t hit with the end of it. There’s nothing sharp or anything in here, it’s just an elbow just like everyone else, and if I had to wear an elbow pad I think that my opponent should have to wear one too.

GC: Now you were recently on Inside MMA, you went down and there was Roy Nelson and Cung Le there, what was that experience like?

NN: That was cool. It was a little bit hectic because I just flew in, got something to eat, did the show, went to bed and flew out the next day. But it was cool. I’ve met Bas (Rutten) a couple of times, and he’s always been a cool, like kinda crazy guy. So it was good seeing him again. And it was my first time meeting Roy Nelson and Cung Le; both very cool guys and very down to earth…funny guys behind the scenes. I was surprised that we were all the same height (laughs)! Those guys are some tough dudes.

GC: So take me through the mentality and your thought process when you saw MMA and said to yourself, I want to do that or could do that. Did you have doubts because of your arm, or had you already overcome that from wrestling back in high school? What was your thought process starting out in MMA?

NN: Yeah, I don’t ever doubt myself. If you don’t believe in yourself, then you’re pretty much just quitting on yourself before you even get started. I have an undying belief in myself and commitment to succeed and be the best at what I do and dedicate myself to that I’m 100 percent for it. When I first started, it was more of a hobby, I wanted to learn MMA moreso than just jump in there and fight. I wanted to make sure I had it down and I was good at it before I got myself into it. And then I went to go see a bunch of local fights, and like anyone that goes and sees fights that’s trained a little bit, they’re like, “Oh I think I could beat these guys,” you know, so after that I was like, “I’m fighting, that’s it!” and it’s been history ever since.

GC: It’s quite an inspirational and compelling story of how you got into the XFC, for those who don’t know about you and your friend Abi and everything that you went through, could you give us some background and your insights on this journey you have been on.

NN: Basically, Abi and I were like brothers, training partners, one of my best training partners. I had planned…he lived in Massachusetts, and I used to go and train with him up there. I was up there the night before and the next day there was a tryout for the XFC by my house, maybe like 20 minutes away. I had planned on going to it the whole time, but he didn’t even really plan on going. I had to kinda talk him into it almost. Not almost, I DID have to talk him into it. I was like “C’mon just stay at my house.” He was like, “I’m hungry though.” And I was like “Okay, I’ll take you to get food”. I took him to Taco Bell, or something stupid like you shouldn’t be eating the day before a tryout [smiles]. We went and tried out the next day. We both made it to the finals, but he won it, and he deserved it.

He was the best guy there by far that day. He won a contract with the XFC, got injured, couldn’t fight, and then when he was just starting to make his comeback, he got into a motorcycle accident and passed away. So basically after that, John from the XFC heard the news and they were really excited to have Abi fight for them, so they basically said I could take his contract and fight in his place. I was pretty honored that they would let me do that.

Obviously, I would like if both of us were fighting together on the same card, you know, but I’m honored to fight for the XFC. It’s a wonderful opportunity.

GC: And they changed the name of the event to Tribute, right?

NN: Yep, and they did a nice piece on Inside MMA on Abi. They made the whole show a tribute to him, which was very nice, since I know how much he loved MMA.

GC: So tell me about Brian Myers, I read something that he was your roommate in college?

NN: Yes, he was.

GC: Did he really help acquaint you with MMA?

NN: Well, not really, he wasn’t a fan of MMA. I mean he likes it, but he’s not INTO it, he doesn’t know any of the moves. He’s HARDCORE Pro Wrestling. I mean he’s in the WWE now, Curt Hawkins. But he did help me get into MMA because he loved Monday Night Raw so much that he used to watch it every week. And it was back when Raw was on Spike TV, and then after Raw they said “Hey, there’s this new show: The Ultimate Fighter.” And I was like “What IS this?!”. I had watched fights before, but I didn’t’ really get it until I watched TUF, and then I was like “Oh, okay this is cool, I gotta start doing this.” So Monday Night Raw and pro wrestling got me into MMA.

GC: Out of all the fighters from the Ultimate Fighter show, who would say is your favorite?

NN: Talent wise, I’d say the first season and the fifth season probably had the most talent. There’s a lot of guys coming through right now that are pretty good. My favorite fighters are guys that haven’t been on TUF, but I have a respect for and I’m a fan of a lot of guys that were on the show.

GC: Is TUF something you would want to do?

NN: Right now, I’m with the XFC and they’re treating me pretty well. I just want to fight the best fighters out there. If the UFC comes calling one day, I’ll be ready, but I’m happy where I am right now. Whenever they’re ready to have me…definitely.

GC: So in your career so far, and training, have you found a particular move or technique that you like or favor more than others?

NN: Back in the day…when I didn’t know what I was doing as much, I used to have moves I did better than other ones, but right now I’d say I’m pretty well-rounded. Expect everything to come from me. I’m getting my triangles just as good as my rear naked chokes.

GC: You said you had some mottos that you live by in another interview, what are some of those mottos, or any other words of wisdom you have followed? Any good advice you were given?

NN: Never quit because something is too hard. Just believe in yourself and just know that you can do anything. You can’t stop someone who is determined to do something. If you want something bad enough you have to go out there and get it, and no matter what obstacles you face out there you can still do it. What they don’t see is this [puts hand on chest], that’s the heart. You can see that I have one hand and you can judge me by that, but you can never see what’s inside of me. A lot of people have everything on the outside, but have nothing on the inside. And I can tell you that I will fight to the death [smiles]!

GC: Now on your website you are labeled as a motivational speaker. So if you had one message to get across to everyone, what would it be?

NN: Like I just said, you can’t just sit around and expect the world to give everything to you. Sometimes things don’t go your way. Sometimes you’re born with one hand, or your family didn’t have a lot of money, or you have to work a couple jobs to afford something you wanted or pay to go to school. It’s not always fair, but the people that are determined, that are willing to push through that, and know what they want and set their goals and work to achieve them…you can do anything you want in this world.

GC: Now aside from wrestling and fighting, what is one thing about you, that fans don’t know, that you would like them to know, something cool about you that doesn’t come out through regular interviews. What’s something about you that you want people to know about?

NN: I don’t know, basically I’m just a nice guy, I’m chill, I like to relax. I try to be respectful of everyone. I graduated from Western New England University…

GC: What was your degree?

NN: In Communication. I’m basically like everyone else, but I just like to beat people up in my spare time [smiles].

GC: Last question, What is your official prediction for the huge fight between Nick Newell vs. Chris Coggins at XFC 17? Who wins, what round, what method?

NN: [Exhales]…I’m going to have to go with Nick Newell on this one [smiles]. I would tell you how, but then I would give away a little bit of what I expect!

GC: Well, that will wrap it up. I want to thank you Nick for sitting down with me and I wish you the best of luck at XFC 17 and in your career going forward.

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Matt Hughes and the Last Fight He Should Take

Matt Hughes is a legend in the sport of MMA, but is at a point where his career is coming to an end. Even Hughes himself knows that there is not much time left for him in the Octagon and that he is at a crossroads where he is being pulled in different …

Between the UFC, his wife and himself, Hughes is unsure what exactly is his direction at this point in time. Hughes recently lost to Josh Koscheck, getting knocked out in the first round. This loss moved Hughes to two first-round knockout losses in a row. Hughes has gone 3-4 in his last seven fights and has been getting finished in each loss. While still holding a record of 45-9, he knows that his ability to keep up with the new generation of athletes is dwindling and his time is at an end.

Hughes is at a point where many feel he needs to retire, but it would seem Hughes, fueled by the itch of competition and assumingly attractive offers from Dana White, still has one fight left in him before hanging up the gloves.

While fighters like Dan Hardy have expressed an interest in fighting Hughes, there is only one that would bring the best business in and still be a suitable and great matchup for the former Welterweight Champ.

That man is Royce Gracie.

Hughes understands he is not making another title run, nor wants to move up or down in weight. His option is to take an exciting fight the fans and the UFC want, and one that will pay well and potentially cap off his legacy. Who better than the legend himself, Royce Gracie?

Gracie and Hughes fought in 2006, a matchup that was historic and would prove to be the beginning of Hughes’ moniker, “The Gracie Killer.” While Hughes did win that fight, a rematch would be an incredible match to see.

Since neither is in their primes anymore, the playing field seems a little more fair than when fans first heard Hughes was going to fight Koscheck or Sanchez. Hughes is currently 38 and Gracie is 45. The advantage goes to Hughes, but based on statistics, this would be a great way to go out on a win.

Typically taking a fight that doesn’t advance you forward against a guy you already beat isn’t attractive, but because of the circumstances, would be a great finale for Hughes, as well as Gracie.

When speaking to Royce Gracie, he discussed how there is only one fight he wants to have, and that is against Matt Hughes. Gracie wants revenge, for himself as well as Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida. Gracie has not competed in MMA since 2007, but is still on board to take on Matt Hughes, and only Matt Hughes.

Now that the UFC has returned to Brazil and will have put its third huge show by the end of this summer, it would seem fitting to get Hughes and Gracie to square off in Brazil. It ideally would be the last fight for both men, being a retirement bout regardless of result. It is a fight Hughes might feel very comfortable with and one that probably wouldn’t leave Hughes being woken up by a referee in the first round.

Financially, this fight would be a great move by Hughes to arrange. A fight between Hughes and Gracie in Brazil would certainly do very well at the live gate and on PPV. Two Hall-of-Fame legends, one out for vengeance, the other looking to seal his legacy and go out on a win. The marketing for this fight would be immense and easy to pitch.

Gracie had requested a large amount of money to fight back when the UFC was initially returning to Rio, and probably would be no different this time. While the payouts for Hughes and Gracie would be staggering numbers, they would be trumped by the revenue of the event. Gracie knows his worth and is looking to be compensated for putting himself back out there after so many years. Justifiably, if this fight were made, it would be one of the biggest Welterweight showdowns in history.

While it might have a novelty side to it, it is still a fight that would be competitive. Even though Gracie is much older and has not fought in MMA in years, he is still a seventh-degree red and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and still trains.

This is a fight that is not easy for either man since both are dangerous in their own right. Betting odds would side with Hughes, and if he did win, it would be a much better way to retire than the path of Chuck Liddell.

This is a fight that many fans would want to see and is beneficial for both fighters to take. Although unfortunate to see Hughes on his way out, it would be great to see him leave the Octagon on a win. Gracie is no walk in the park, though. Regardless, if this fight were to be made, you would see two legends going toe-to-toe, one motivated by putting everything into his last fight and the other motivated by taking back one of only two losses in his career.

Who do you think his last fight should be? Would you like to see Hughes vs. Gracie?

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Jake Shields Moving Up to Middleweight

Jake Shields will be moving up to Middleweight sometime later in 2012, according to an announcement made on “UFC Tonight” last night (via UFC.com). After having a successful run at 185 in Strikeforce, Shields has since moved to the UFC and into the Wel…

Jake Shields will be moving up to Middleweight sometime later in 2012, according to an announcement made on “UFC Tonight” last night (via UFC.com).

After having a successful run at 185 in Strikeforce, Shields has since moved to the UFC and into the Welterweight division. After his first fight with Martin Kampmann, he won a shot at champion, Georges St. Pierre, but lost after five rounds of fighting.

Shields then took on Jake Ellenberger, but was stopped quickly in the first round. After taking two losses in a row, many were wondering if he were on the chopping block, since three in a row can earn a fighter their pink slip in the UFC. However, his next fight was against Yoshihiro Akiyama in the Asian superstar’s WW debut. Shields managed to win a decision, and get back to his winning ways.

Now, it seems that his career path may switch again. He will be going back up to MW to test his skills against some of the talent there, and add another strong name to the perceivably weak division.

But how will he fare there?

Shields’ biggest criticism is his striking, a facet of his game that he continues to work on as time goes on. With new directions, he is taking his striking game to the next level and feels confident he eventually will be able to strike with some of the best. He will certainly want to make that happen, since he is looking to go into a division ruled over by one of the greatest strikers of all time.

Anderson Silva stands as king of the 185 lbs hill, but theoretically if you were to have the right formula to beat him, you would need a strong wrestler, with great submissions and submission defense. This describes Jake Shields, but assumingly, many people don’t foresee him getting to that point any time soon.

Since he doesn’t have the hype and statistics he had coming over from Strikeforce, he won’t be looking to go right into a title shot or a title eliminator. He will have plenty of great fighters to be matched up with, and many fights that his “American Jiu-Jitsu” will be interesting to see applied in.

Having Shields face someone like Rousimar Palhares would be an interesting style matchup, since both fighters’ level of BJJ is high. Demian Maia, had he not dropped, would have been another good fight. But Shields will have others such as Michael Bisping, Vitor Belfort, Cung Le, Chris Leben, and Chael Sonnen to deal with. Sonnen might be one of the best potential fights for Shields, based on Sonnen’s style and abilities.

Another great fight would be to see Shields face Jason Miller again, but this time in the Octagon. The UFC brass would probably keep Nick Diaz out of the corner though to be on the safe side.

Shields will find himself in a division with a diverse group of fighters probably more tailored to his style. The Welterweight division has many great strikers, which may have been why Shields had some trouble there. Given his losses were against two of the best in the division, his striking should fare better at Middleweight though.

If Shields can improve his striking and stay true to what works for him when it is wise to do so, Shields could find great success at 185 in the UFC.

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Dan Henderson: Which Title Shot Should He Take?

Dan Henderson is a legend in the sport and has paved his way to championships, led by his notorious right hand. The H-Bomb certainly has brought great highlight reels to his career, but now, as time goes on, he is working to solidify his legacy as one …

He is currently 29-8 and is now back in the UFC, and has already put on one of the best fights in UFC history against Shogun Rua.

He now stands at a crossroads where he must make a decision.

His reputation, status, and statistics put him in a position to choose two different paths. He can choose to fight for the Middleweight title again, and try to dethrone Anderson Silva (or Chael Sonnen), or he can face the rising young talent of Jon Jones at Light Heavyweight.

It seems pretty clear that whichever division Hendo chooses, Dana White and Joe Silva are throwing him straight into a title shot. Justifiable and a great business move either way, it seems Hendo is not sure yet though which one he wants.

It is a tough choice, considering both fights are against a top three pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Here are some things to consider when thinking what you would do in Hendo’s shoes.

First, if he returns to the 185 division, he may very well be facing Anderson Silva, who is arguably the greatest fighter there has ever been so far. This is not to say Sonnen won’t be champion, but Silva has earned the right to be the assumed champion whenever anyone talks about one day fighting for the Middleweight belt.

The wildcard is how age is affecting both these days, since both are in the upper tiers of where fighters usually choose to retire. By the time this fight would happen, age shouldn’t matter too much, since both have shown in their recent fights that they are very much still on their game.

The other factor is that Silva and Hendo have faced each other before, and Silva finished him via rear naked choke in the second round. Worthy to note though, Hendo did make Silva lose the first round by holding him on the ground, which no one had really done to Silva at that point. That meeting was in 2008, and both fighters have improved and changed, so it would be interesting to see.

It is also good to look at the aftermath as well. If Hendo becomes champion at MW, this route seems to not offer as many fan-exciting fights for the future, and many would want Hendo to move to LHW anyway. It would be great to see Hendo vs. Bisping again, or have him face Chael Sonnen, (possibly Wanderlei or Le) but after that there are not too many fights many fans would perceive as exciting PPV worthy challenges. The moment Hendo wins the MW title, fans will want him to face Jones (or whoever is champ at LHW).

So Hendo’s second option is going to LHW and facing Jon Jones (or Rashad Evans). For this purpose, let’s say Jones remains champ after his fight with Evans.

Hendo has a wrestling pedigree to shadow Jon Jones, and the experience to match. Jones is a young and explosive fighter, and would prove to be a challenge to deal with the reach in order to pull of an H-Bomb. Hendo is no stranger to title shots and the pressure, but like Silva, you don’t know what Jones is like until you actually step into the cage with him.

At LHW, Henderson is left with many more matchups that are “exciting” on paper. He could face Evans, Machida, Shogun again, Rampage again, avenge his loss to Lil Nog from back in 2005 in Pride, Bader, and others. Typically, Hendo has found more success at LHW, making this weight class presumably more attractive.

If he faces Silva or Jones, beating them will be history-making is its own right. The MMA world would get turned upside down and a great shift in rankings would start.

If he beats Silva, he will be known as the man who finally dethroned the most dominant UFC champion ever. If he beats Jones, he is the one that brought a halt to the hype train of the youngest UFC champion ever, who many felt was on a track to surpassing the accomplishments of Silva. Either way, his fame and notoriety would skyrocket.

Either way, Hendo will want to make his choice carefully. Perhaps he is holding off to see which title fight will be easiest to go into, and to gauge how the respective champions are fighting these days. Henderson has held belts in Strikeforce and Pride, but never had UFC gold around his waist. This is a chance for him to finally prove his worth as a champion with yet another title shot. Whichever he picks, he will certainly be giving it his all and put on a great fight.

Which Title Shot Should He Take?

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Is MMA Really a Sport?

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the greatest rapid-success stories of the past decade, and does not seem to be losing momentum. MMA has had its ups and downs since its inauguration, but has ultimately continued to evolve and grow. MMA is competition, and …

A sport is defined as: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

When one looks at Mixed Martial Arts, it clearly fits this description. While some may get hung up on the last two words, “for entertainment”; this is more so pertaining to the audience watching, rather than describing the act itself.

Critics might argue that MMA is not a sport, but an entertainment show. The WWE is probably the best example of what people compare and contrast in this regard. One can argue that the WWE fits the description above, but the “competes” part is where it gets hazy.

The difference between MMA and pro wrestling is that MMA is not scripted, nor fake. WWE wrestlers are certainly skilled and athletic, and do undergo real harm in their line of work, but it is not competitive when the outcome is already determined.

MMA has come along way, and has earned its right to be called a sport. While its roots were controversial, MMA has evolved into a legitimate and exciting sport that people all over the world enjoy. With unified rules and regulations, protocols are implemented to maintain the safety of the fighter, as well as the competition as a whole. These rules have helped usher in the new face of MMA.

What helps MMA to be defined as a sport, is the fact that rules and regulations make for a fair competition, watched by a referee and three judges. Strict drug testing and other precautionary actions are taken with each athlete as well.

The fact that MMA is a sport that is popular worldwide, certainly helps legitimize it. American football is extremely popular stateside, but not as much elsewhere. If anything, MMA may be more popular in other countries aside from ours. Both Brazil and Canada are Meccas of MMA, and companies like the UFC are constantly going to new places every year.

But does success and popularity mean it’s a sport?

Not necessarily, since curling is considered a sport, and probably isn’t the most popular one compared to others. With already popular sports in the USA such as Boxing, it’s hard to imagine why MMA wouldn’t be a sport as well. Some might argue that boxing gives the fighter more padded gear and therefore is less dangerous, but that same concept doesn’t apply to football and rugby.

MMA is a competition, in which athletes train and hone their skills to become the best they can be. They train to show the world what they have learned, what they can do, and how much better they are than other athletes. They train and fight for themselves, for country, for their team and families. These acts are nothing less than the underlying principles of the Olympic games and any other sport out there.

MMA is a sport, and the fastest-growing one at that. With most of the States already sanctioned and legalized, and many places over the globe, MMA is here to stay and keep growing. Slowly but surely we have watched sports websites and television gain sections for MMA, and many are soon to follow.

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