Watching MMA for a more "traditionalist"

Wado Heretic · Green Belt

The story I have gathered from the disparate interviews with the participants of the first UFC is that the meeting to determine the rules was a fiasco. The only rule I know for sure was enforced was a non-weapon rule, under which Ken Shamrock was disallowed his foot wear. The Gracie's had wanted what is called in the lingo, as it were, "courtesy rules"; in other words no biting, or gouging, and the like. However, no rules were agreed upon because the meeting to discuss them fell apart. This was slightly different when organising the following UFC events, when rules were decided in advance before participants signed up, and the so called courtesy rules were enforced; barring a few things which would now be considered illegal.

Modern rules I would argue are quite well balanced in a sense. The short rounds are advantageous to strikers and wrestlers, who favour and require an explosive approach to fighting, whereas it disadvantages grapplers and submission artists who might not find the opportunity to submit their opponent in a five minute window. If one looks at jujutsu or submission wrestling matches; it is not unusual for someone to "turtle" to gather energy or wait out their opponents offense, but in a sport with aggression or stand up rules this strategy is not possible, and could cost one the match if attempted. However, one also needs to acknowledge the limitations placed on a strikers arsenal; though most I feel are justified in terms of safety, but one should also not forget the rules against small joint manipulation which is the bread and butter of catch wrestling's signature locking techniques. Most of those rules, although limiting and perhaps weighing certain match ups to the advantage of one fighter over the other, are justified by the safety concerns which have evolved over the two decades of MMA's existence.

I would also say that I frankly do not see the inability to use dirty fighting as a limitation; if a fighters response is to kick someone in the groin to win they really are not any more skilled than a street fighter or violent criminal. I am not a fan of MMA, and it has it's brutal streak, but at least it is a competition of skill. Allowing some of the tactics barred would just bring it down.
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R. Keith Williams

Bulltahr · Brown Belt

IIRC wasn't the only real rule no eye gouging, You could go for the balls but win or lose you were fined $10k to do it. This way it was discouraged. I may be wrong, but that seems to be what I remember from the time.
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"We don't have any money, so we will have to think" - Ernest Rutherford

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

Patrick · KF Administrator

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