MMA as an Olympic sport?

[MORTALCOIL]

Great idea. Be ready to see small countries with no shortage of jingoism, shitty economics and no real athletes release their most dangerous convicts to send them fight MMA hoping for a medal.

[devilsmile]

I'm an MMA fan but I must disagree that it should be an Olympic sport. NO WAY.

My rationale behind this;
The Olympics allows highly skilled, (genetically gifted) athletes, world-wide to showcase their talents in their chosen pursuits. 

Unfortunately, MMA does not in most cases represent the high level of skill required to particapate in the Olympics.  There are individuals that do posses a remarkable skill set, but there is an EXTREMELY small percentage.  (I accept that there are obvious cases who contradict this theory).  Some guys go to ground and have no clue what they are doing, or have absolutely NO stand-up whatsoever...look at Brock, UFC heavyweight champion, big, powerful, awesone wrestler, but on his feet, he looks like a fool.  Too too too many guys gas after ONE round.  I just don't see a high or broad skill set across the board, (barring a few individuals). 

Also, you must look at the practicalities....fighte rs get hurt in MMA, in a way that they don't in boxing, due to the various holds that can manipulate ones joints, powerful leg kicks, choke holds etc etc.  If Fighter A defeats fighter B in a tough close fight, realistically, is he capable of fighting again, early tomorrow, or even the next day?

I agree with this 100%... it's not about victory, it's the form, the art, the presentation aswell, olympics was the event of gods at one time... not some "few months of jiujitsu, 10 years of wrestling and 2 years of thai boxing since I was 19y" AThletes

[The Showstoppa]

I'm an MMA fan but I must disagree that it should be an Olympic sport. NO WAY.

My rationale behind this;
The Olympics allows highly skilled, (genetically gifted) athletes, world-wide to showcase their talents in their chosen pursuits.  

Unfortunately, MMA does not in most cases represent the high level of skill required to particapate in the Olympics.  There are individuals that do posses a remarkable skill set, but there is an EXTREMELY small percentage.  (I accept that there are obvious cases who contradict this theory).  Some guys go to ground and have no clue what they are doing, or have absolutely NO stand-up whatsoever...look at Brock, UFC heavyweight champion, big, powerful, awesone wrestler, but on his feet, he looks like a fool.  Too too too many guys gas after ONE round.  I just don't see a high or broad skill set across the board, (barring a few individuals).  

Also, you must look at the practicalities....fighte rs get hurt in MMA, in a way that they don't in boxing, due to the various holds that can manipulate ones joints, powerful leg kicks, choke holds etc etc.  If Fighter A defeats fighter B in a tough close fight, realistically, is he capable of fighting again, later that day or early tomorrow due to likely injuries sustained?

But, you could say the exact same thing about every sport.  To be at the Olympics obviously it would be the top 1% of participants in the world.  The way you are judging, for example, if you went to the local YMCA and watched some guys playing pick-up bball that got winded and missed a few jumpers, you would say basketball doesn't qualify as an Olympic sport.  And as for the not being able to fight multiple fights, are you familiar with the early UFC's when they were a one night tourny where guys fought multiple times to win it? 

[pugalist666]

But, you could say the exact same thing about every sport.  To be at the Olympics obviously it would be the top 1% of participants in the world.  The way you are judging, for example, if you went to the local YMCA and watched some guys playing pick-up bball that got winded and missed a few jumpers, you would say basketball doesn't qualify as an Olympic sport.  And as for the not being able to fight multiple fights, are you familiar with the early UFC's when they were a one night tourny where guys fought multiple times to win it? 

this ring a bell

[The Showstoppa]

this ring a bell

haha, and how about that skier from England...Eddie the Eagle!  Of course there are always exceptions, but it's not like those competitors ever actually win any medals.