Just three decades ago, few people had ever heard of mixed martial arts, but since the first UFC back in the early 1990s, this sport has definitely gained a massive following. MMA fans know that the sport combines elements of everything from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to boxing to wrestling and Muay Thai, but there are some obscure facts of which fans might not be aware.
MMA fighters are well educated. In fact, about 80 percent of fighters that have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship have college degrees. Even taking into consideration that basketball players and football players earn tons of scholarships for college prior to turning pro, this is still much higher than the national average. Less than 30 percent of Americans have earned a college degree, so MMA fighters are far more educated than most Americans. In fact, both Rorion Gracie and Nick Thompson both have law degrees, Rich Franklin has a Master's degree in education, and Jeff Monson has a Master's degree in Psychology.
Did you ever wonder why UFC fighters battle it out in The Octagon? If not, skip to the next paragraph. Otherwise, consider the following ideas. There is definitely a school of thought that a non-circular type of ring provides a better staging area for multiple styles of fighting. In addition, it might also be related to a quirky Chuck Norris film, "The Octagon." While it certainly wasn't an Oscar-winner, Norris plays his usual role as a tormented, but skilled martial art fighter, defeating some type of enemy. In the case of this circa 1980 film, he is defeating a crime organization of ninjas which has called itself The Octagon.
Since the dawn of time, little boys have settled disputes with rough and tumble fights. Some boys grow up and still settle disputes in a similar fashion. For instance, the largest amount of the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, LLC, is owned by the Fertitta brothers who decided that if they cannot settle a dispute over the management of the company, they will settle it with a jiu-jitsu contest. By the way, if you aren't convinced that the Fertitta's are fight fans, their company is named for an Italian word that means scuffle.
MMA fighters come from a variety of occupations, including dozens of fighters that have served in the Armed Forces, as well as firefighters and police officer. While that's hardly a surprise, a few fighters have more unique former careers or side careers. For example, Mauricio Rua was a runway model in Brazil before hitting the Octagon, and Georges St-Pierre worked as a garbage collector. Chael Sonnen was a real estate agent at one point, but fighting has certainly worked out better for him, as he was targeted for taking part in a money laundering scheme.
Mixed martial arts is not a sport for wimps, and the athlete's bodies take a great deal of punishment, but it is not the deadly massacre that some make it out to be. Senator John McCain, for example, attempted to have the sport banned in all 50 states. While deaths have occurred during non-sanctioned and illegal MMA events, only three recorded deaths have occurred during sanctioned MMA bouts. While MMA certainly hasn't been around as long as many other sports, that's not nearly as catastrophic as sports such as boxing, which has seen more than 900 deaths in the last 120 years. Certainly MMA poses health risks, but so does NASCAR, which has had eight deaths in the last 20 years.
MMA fighters are well educated. In fact, about 80 percent of fighters that have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship have college degrees. Even taking into consideration that basketball players and football players earn tons of scholarships for college prior to turning pro, this is still much higher than the national average. Less than 30 percent of Americans have earned a college degree, so MMA fighters are far more educated than most Americans. In fact, both Rorion Gracie and Nick Thompson both have law degrees, Rich Franklin has a Master's degree in education, and Jeff Monson has a Master's degree in Psychology.
Did you ever wonder why UFC fighters battle it out in The Octagon? If not, skip to the next paragraph. Otherwise, consider the following ideas. There is definitely a school of thought that a non-circular type of ring provides a better staging area for multiple styles of fighting. In addition, it might also be related to a quirky Chuck Norris film, "The Octagon." While it certainly wasn't an Oscar-winner, Norris plays his usual role as a tormented, but skilled martial art fighter, defeating some type of enemy. In the case of this circa 1980 film, he is defeating a crime organization of ninjas which has called itself The Octagon.
Since the dawn of time, little boys have settled disputes with rough and tumble fights. Some boys grow up and still settle disputes in a similar fashion. For instance, the largest amount of the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, LLC, is owned by the Fertitta brothers who decided that if they cannot settle a dispute over the management of the company, they will settle it with a jiu-jitsu contest. By the way, if you aren't convinced that the Fertitta's are fight fans, their company is named for an Italian word that means scuffle.
MMA fighters come from a variety of occupations, including dozens of fighters that have served in the Armed Forces, as well as firefighters and police officer. While that's hardly a surprise, a few fighters have more unique former careers or side careers. For example, Mauricio Rua was a runway model in Brazil before hitting the Octagon, and Georges St-Pierre worked as a garbage collector. Chael Sonnen was a real estate agent at one point, but fighting has certainly worked out better for him, as he was targeted for taking part in a money laundering scheme.
Mixed martial arts is not a sport for wimps, and the athlete's bodies take a great deal of punishment, but it is not the deadly massacre that some make it out to be. Senator John McCain, for example, attempted to have the sport banned in all 50 states. While deaths have occurred during non-sanctioned and illegal MMA events, only three recorded deaths have occurred during sanctioned MMA bouts. While MMA certainly hasn't been around as long as many other sports, that's not nearly as catastrophic as sports such as boxing, which has seen more than 900 deaths in the last 120 years. Certainly MMA poses health risks, but so does NASCAR, which has had eight deaths in the last 20 years.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. For more info about a mixed martial arts gym in San Diego or to find muay thai San Diego coaches, please check out The Arena MMA site now.
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