Monday, 23 June 2008 - 2:31 PM EDT

in response to article posted on MMAMadness:

 There will always be a gladiatorial perception of MMA.  From the beginning, when we all saw an unprepared karate practitioner take 80 stitches to the face in one of the first UFC's, or watched Keith Hackney break both of his hands on the head of a six hundred pound sumo wrestler, there have been elements of pure blood sport to MMA. 
     With the more recent developments in the sport, such as certification through state sponsored athletic commissions similar to boxing, standardizations like weight classes, timed rounds and four ounce gloves,  and greater exposure through various promotions, perhaps some of the perceptions about MMA are in a position to be changed.  Certainly, if more articulate discussions of this sport, such as the article above, continue to enlighten not only the initiated but also the general public, then maybe there can be greater recognition of the beauty in martial arts oriented competitions, and an acceptance of MMA as more than human cockfighting.