Will MMA Ever Completely Replace Individual Martial Arts?

MMA as we know it today is a relatively new sport. It’s really quite remarkable how quickly it has risen to the national (and international) stage.The biggest sign that MMA has arrived is the UFC’s deal with FOX. What was once only available on pay-per…

MMA as we know it today is a relatively new sport. It’s really quite remarkable how quickly it has risen to the national (and international) stage.

The biggest sign that MMA has arrived is the UFC’s deal with FOX. What was once only available on pay-per-view is now available over broadcast television. It’s not just TV, however. I’ve seen a large number of MMA gyms sprout up in my neighborhood. You can also see MMA’s emergence through the wide availability of MMA-branded clothing such as TapouT and the numerous video games on the market.

MMA has taken off like a runaway freight train. I believe it has overtaken boxing as the premier spectator combat sport. However, I may be biased, as I was never too big a boxing fan to begin with, and I never got to see the greatest boxers fight live (Ali, Tyson, etc.)

Because of its insane popularity, I think it’s fair to ask:

Will MMA one day overtake all of the different martial arts that it is comprised of?

MMA is now a part of our history and culture, but not really a part of our identity (unless you are directly involved in it). Since it is not specifically associated with one country, I don’t think it could replace the martial arts that are (China and Kung Fu, Korea and Taekwondo, Russia and Sambo, etc.)

MMA is first and foremost about competition. It does contain the attributes of other martial arts such as self-discipline and self-defense, but I think of those more as byproducts rather than being the primary focus. I think someone with purely self-defense in mind would train in something like Krav Maga rather than MMA.

Simply put, there are martial arts that specialize in certain things that MMA cannot cover.

It’s only now that we are witnessing the new generation of mixed martial artists—those that train strictly in MMA from a young age. There really hasn’t been enough time for there to be “MMA masters,” but then again, maybe there never will be because the very definition of the sport itself is always changing. It’s still really too early to tell if all the different forms of martial arts will one day meld into MMA, but I think the early answer is “no.”

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MMA: The 25 Most Intimidating Fighters Right Now

If my thoroughly unscientific research is any indication, people who don’t watch a lot of MMA (and, believe it or not, there are a good amount of them) seem to have this perception that the fighters are all a bunch of barbaric, bloodthirsty, heavily ta…

If my thoroughly unscientific research is any indication, people who don’t watch a lot of MMA (and, believe it or not, there are a good amount of them) seem to have this perception that the fighters are all a bunch of barbaric, bloodthirsty, heavily tattooed, baby-eating, street-brawling cannibals.

Serious fans, of course, know better. Serious fans realize that, brutal though it undoubtedly is, most of the sport’s combatants take pains to follow the rules, respect their opponents, and show gratitude to the fans.

What’s more, serious fans derive more than a little entertainment from the unassuming physiques of some of the sport’s most revered practitioners (see: Penn, B.J.Emelianenko, Fedor; Silva, Anderson).

It’s a far cry from the mohawks, show muscles and Satanic tattoos that decorate the cage fighters of the popular imagination. It’s just one of those common misconceptions. This slideshow will do nothing to dispel that misconception. These are the 25 most intimidating fighters active in the sport today. Fight style has little to do with it. So, for the most part, we’re keeping this one superficial.

Spread some irrational fear, ingrain some stereotypes, and share it with your friends. 

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Rashad Evans and 4 Fighters Who Can Moonlight as Comedians

A fighter’s performance inside the Octagon can often overshadow their lighter side at times.The UFC features some of the most gifted athletes competing today, but there are those whose personalities become bigger than the sport and help establish them …

A fighter’s performance inside the Octagon can often overshadow their lighter side at times.

The UFC features some of the most gifted athletes competing today, but there are those whose personalities become bigger than the sport and help establish them as marketable stars.

In this slideshow, we’ll take a look at the fighters who could certainly make a successful living venturing into stand-up comedy and other forms of entertainment. 

Aside from fighting, it is evident that these fighters are multi-talented.

Here are Rashad Evans and four fighters who can moonlight as comedians.

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10 Non-Combat Sports That Best Prepare You for MMA

When we mention “background” in MMA, we usually find ourselves discussing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai or college wrestling. As professional fighting becomes more lucrative, however, we are beginning to see athletes from an eclectic range of sporting…

When we mention “background” in MMA, we usually find ourselves discussing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai or college wrestling. As professional fighting becomes more lucrative, however, we are beginning to see athletes from an eclectic range of sporting disciplines entering the cage for the first time.

Can a sport really produce fighters by accident? Probably not. What non-combat sports can do, though, is equip individuals with the basic physical and mental attributes necessary for a successful foray into fighting.

This article looks to separate the sheep from the goats, discussing 10 activities which prepare the modern warrior for battle without a single punch, kick or knee being thrown.

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UFC on Fuel 2: 5 Bold Predictions for the Main Card

The UFC will make its first trip to Sweden this weekend for UFC on Fuel 2, and the card is one of the most underrated in recent memory. With all eyes locked on next week’s UFC light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans, the potent…

The UFC will make its first trip to Sweden this weekend for UFC on Fuel 2, and the card is one of the most underrated in recent memory.

With all eyes locked on next week’s UFC light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans, the potential barnburner of a main event between Alexander Gustafsson and Thiago Silva is flying under the radar, along with the rest of a surprisingly fun main card this weekend.

Brian Stann and Alessio Sakara co-headline the card, and fun fights between Siyar Bahadurzada, Paulo Thiago, Dennis Siver and Diego Nunes make this card a must-see for fans who are suffering from some serious UFC withdrawal.

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Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Pros Pick the Winner of the UFC 145 Bout

With one of the most anticipated fights of the year just a little more than a week away, everyone is starting to feel the anticipation for Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans, which will go down on pay-per-view Saturday, April 21. The former teammates have been…

With one of the most anticipated fights of the year just a little more than a week away, everyone is starting to feel the anticipation for Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans, which will go down on pay-per-view Saturday, April 21.

The former teammates have been waiting more than a year to fight each other, but the rivalry got a lot more intense after UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jones defended his title against Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida. The victory that earned him the title made him the youngest champion in UFC history.

Evans has fought four times since losing his title to Machida in 2009, and he has claimed wins over Thiago Silva, Jackson, Phil Davis and Tito Ortiz. His latest bout in January saw him win a dominant five-round decision against Davis.

This video from MMAinterviews.tv gives fans the chance to hear some of the UFC’s best fighters give their thoughts on the upcoming bout.

“What I’m thinking is it all depends on who comes out to fight that night,” said UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz. “Rashad knows Jones’ style for the most part, but Jones is hard to beat right now. That dude has tunnel vision. He’s focused. He’s on a roll. He’s got a streak, and I also think he knows Rashad’s style so as long as Jones can keep the fight at his range, I see Jones coming out on top.”

“I like Jones, I like Evans, but I’m gonna bet on the underdog,” said Brandon Vera, who lost to Jones before he became champion. “I’m betting on Rashad, but it’s Jones, I hope you keep that belt.”

The pay-per-view event will go down from the Philips Arena in Atlanta. Other bouts on the card include Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills, Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell, Michael McDonald vs. Miguel Torres, Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin and Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio.

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