Mixed martial arts is one of the most popular sports in the world, and interest in the sport grows exponentially each year. While everyone knows that the athletes are tough competitors trained in multiple styles of fighting, including Muay Thai, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and more, here are a few facts about MMA that you might not know.
In general, statistics show that only about 28% of Americans have graduated from college. Among MMA fighters, more than 80% of UFC have a college degree. This is not only far higher than the national average; it is higher than many other pro sports. Keep in mind that while football players and basketball players attend and graduate from college in high numbers, this is because they were on scholarship and college was similar to minor league training. For MMA athletes, there are few scholarships, and going to college was more of an academic decision than a sports-related one.
The Octagon is one of many things that sets MMA fighting apart from other sporting events. While it is true that some organizations use a hexagon, such as Strikeforce, and others use a regular, circular ring, the octagon and UFC go hand in hand. Some believe it is because a non-circular ring improves one's ability to use different fighting styles, and some have traced the roots of the octagon back to an obscure Chuck Norris movie from 1980, "The Octagon." In the movie, Norris attempts to defeat a rogue band of ninjas that are part of a huge crime syndicate called The Octagon.
While the UFC was started by Rorion Gracie, filmmaker John Milius and businessman Art Davie, it currently is owned mainly by Zuffa, LLC. Zuffa, the Italian word for "scuffle", is the brainchild of brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, and these two own 81% of the UFC, with the remainder divided between Dana White and Flash Entertainment, which is owned by Sheik Tahnoon. At any rate, the Fertitta's are serious about fighting. They even put language into the LLC's bylaws stating that if these two brothers cannot settle a dispute verbally, they will hit the mat and settle it Jiu-Jitsu style.
There are many MMA fighters that have military careers or who have been police officers or fire fighters at one time. Given the physical demands of those jobs, that's not surprising, but a few MMA fighters have held much more unusual jobs. Georges St-Pierre, for example, once spent his days working as a garbage man. Mauricio Rua was once a fashion model, and several MMA stars have worked as actors.
No one would ever deny that MMA is dangerous, and injuries are certainly common. However, many professional sports have their share of injuries and even deaths. Since the first sanctioned MMA events in the early 1990s, there have been three deaths that were the direct result of an MMA fight. Boxing has been around quite a bit longer, but the number of deaths in the last 125 years is more than 900. In the same period of time that the pro MMA bouts have been held, there have been eight drivers killed during NASCAR events.
In general, statistics show that only about 28% of Americans have graduated from college. Among MMA fighters, more than 80% of UFC have a college degree. This is not only far higher than the national average; it is higher than many other pro sports. Keep in mind that while football players and basketball players attend and graduate from college in high numbers, this is because they were on scholarship and college was similar to minor league training. For MMA athletes, there are few scholarships, and going to college was more of an academic decision than a sports-related one.
The Octagon is one of many things that sets MMA fighting apart from other sporting events. While it is true that some organizations use a hexagon, such as Strikeforce, and others use a regular, circular ring, the octagon and UFC go hand in hand. Some believe it is because a non-circular ring improves one's ability to use different fighting styles, and some have traced the roots of the octagon back to an obscure Chuck Norris movie from 1980, "The Octagon." In the movie, Norris attempts to defeat a rogue band of ninjas that are part of a huge crime syndicate called The Octagon.
While the UFC was started by Rorion Gracie, filmmaker John Milius and businessman Art Davie, it currently is owned mainly by Zuffa, LLC. Zuffa, the Italian word for "scuffle", is the brainchild of brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, and these two own 81% of the UFC, with the remainder divided between Dana White and Flash Entertainment, which is owned by Sheik Tahnoon. At any rate, the Fertitta's are serious about fighting. They even put language into the LLC's bylaws stating that if these two brothers cannot settle a dispute verbally, they will hit the mat and settle it Jiu-Jitsu style.
There are many MMA fighters that have military careers or who have been police officers or fire fighters at one time. Given the physical demands of those jobs, that's not surprising, but a few MMA fighters have held much more unusual jobs. Georges St-Pierre, for example, once spent his days working as a garbage man. Mauricio Rua was once a fashion model, and several MMA stars have worked as actors.
No one would ever deny that MMA is dangerous, and injuries are certainly common. However, many professional sports have their share of injuries and even deaths. Since the first sanctioned MMA events in the early 1990s, there have been three deaths that were the direct result of an MMA fight. Boxing has been around quite a bit longer, but the number of deaths in the last 125 years is more than 900. In the same period of time that the pro MMA bouts have been held, there have been eight drivers killed during NASCAR events.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys blogging about mixed martial arts advantages. For additional information about a mixed martial arts gym in San Diego or to find muay thai San Diego coaches, please check out The Arena MMA website now.
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