I think about this all the time, and it scares me. As much as MMA has evolved in the past 10 years imagine 10 years from now. I hope it doesnt end up like street fighter, guys throwing fireballs out of there hands.

scorpion

Good to see ya around, Jeremy.

You're asking this question in the right place, because to be honest, I've thought of this many times myself. I can see the sport making evolutions beyond what we'd even think imaginable in the next ten years, including the addition of

* electrified brabed wire fence around the octagon
* the inclusion of weapons, and possibly firearms
* multiple-attackers-vs-one-fighter matches (See RTR's "Racially motivated Police Beatings: MMA or No?" thread)

I could think of more, but it's Friday. I'm done thinking. Have a good weekend, all.
*

hahaha. fireballs.... haha. i hope not!

i think it will be as popular as boxing, baseball, basketball, football, etc. It has grown tremendously and I can see it going that way. More events are opening up and more fighters are stepping to the plate. In addition, female fighters are getting recognized now, which i can see that drawing in new crowds and even helping some to except it as a sport. I see events like UFC being around. I don't see the UFC and Pride being the biggest MMA events. As this sport gets more bigger, it gets more competetive, which means more events will open up.

For example, it started with people like the gracies, which (no disrespect) are not the best anymore cause everyone is mastering their style and every style comming out. There are alot more rounded fighters than there were before. As you can see that most of the oldies are not the best anymore cause everyone is training to be the best, well rounded fighter.

I can see MMA growing and growing, getting unbanned in states they are banned in, and hopefully the open hand events can turn into closed fist as it gets more excepted. i see alot in the future of mma. I am glad i got involved when i did. Preaty soon i am sure it will be hard to get a fight unless you are the best (ie. not everyone can play basketball, and not everyone can get in and fight in the UFC n' Pride). I am sure that the competition will only get better.

I also see sports like pro wrestling and **** like that not holding ground when MMA takes off, for it is a FAKE fight show. And i am sure when people get exposed to the actual REAL fights, those others will die off slowly.

I think a good way to see is look at the sport ten years ago in comparison to today. It's going to get more main stream, and with that comes the pro's and con's. I want the sport promoted in the right way, but it is going to be going any many different directions, each new promotion looking for a new gimmick to sell its product. I enjoy the interviews of the fighters and getting to know them in some aspects, but I feel that since the majority of people respond to fighters being rude and obnoxious that its going to go closer to the wwf style and have less honor in it. IE Tito having the bad boy image, and then being used as the poster boy for UFC, in essence, for our main stream, he is the poster boy for MMA, and these people are going to be seeing a guy with gang tats and flames representing the sport. I am not trying to discredit TIto, on the contrary he is one of my favorites, and I enjoy his image. I may be one of the drones that buys into that image selling.

If I had it my way, in 10 years the sport would be lucrative, yet still hold its honor. Mixed martial arts would be a household name, and even people who aren't fans would be aware of it, and have the option to see it. I don't watch basketball, but I normally see a game when flipping through the channels. And I want the fans of it then to not see the images, but to see two gladiators fighting for pride and honor, not so much dollars and cents, because thats gonna be there regardless.

Damn,.. i agree with Waylander. Well said.

totally. i mean tito is awsome, and his and ken's beef was great for the show, but overall..... not for mma. atleast if mma is looking to grow. it has to be more respected for people to except it.

it is violent, but its like any other sport, you go out there with the goal to win. you can put in your mind... i am going to knock him the **** out, cause that is what your goal is, but to come out disrespectful is only going to paralalyze us from growing.

i think if we have more respect for the sport and show it as ken and tito did when they huged and shook hands at the end, will help the sport alot. i hope it does not evolve to the wwf. no matter how small mma is right now..... the realness is what people love and it will shine if we just give it time respectively.

The biggest problem with MMA becoming mainstream is that it will have to become more homogenised for the greater market.

For instance UFC 1...no one wore gloves, except for Art Jimmerson, groin shots were allowed (at least Hackney got away with it in IV), head butts were ok and it was basically anything goes. Which was the most realistic scenario for the fighters and the fans to see what styles did what etc etc.

Now, the guys wear gloves, which protects the hands somewhat making more KO's possible (which kinda contradicts the whole fan friendly idea), the rules have changed to outlaw head butts and groin shots etc and the rounds are shorter.

It is definitely presented better, and will probably gain more fans in the next 10 years with this approach. I just hope that in the attempt to make MMA mainstream, the powers that be don't forget what it is all about, which is the fighters testing themselves in the toughest arena possible...not a pyrotechnics show with a fight between two guys strangled by laws.

I guess is being mainstream as important as the sport keeping its integrity?

The sport has to keep its integrity. If UFC/PRIDE the other main stream events don't keep their integrity, their will be promotions that do, and I will remain a fan, and support those. Not saying the UFC and/or pride will lose their integrity, but as best I can tell, I would think UFC would lose theirs first. Here are a couple reasons, I may be alone on this, but I thought Ken and Tito hated each other way too much and got way too much "hate" publicity to hug and be friends at the end of their bout. Also the gambling odds are being posted for UFC now and the more money is going to be involved in it in a negative way. Also I think they handled the Jens Pulver thing way wrong. Here is a completely speculative scenario but look at it this way
Jens Pulver is champ, yet he came in as an under dog against Penn. Now odds are being placed in the local newspapers so your definately encouraged to bet on them. Jens is pissed because he is the champ and he is getting 10 grand, where penn is getting 30 grand. The contract negotiatoins are going to ****, and a bookie could stand to make 100 grand for betting a ****load on penn and having jens lose. He is going to be in the UFC long, so he takes the dive and gets his pay. May not happen with these fighters, but I think its going to be something to watch out for.

Originally posted by Waylander
The sport has to keep its integrity. If UFC/PRIDE the other main stream events don't keep their integrity, their will be promotions that do, and I will remain a fan, and support those. Not saying the UFC and/or pride will lose their integrity, but as best I can tell, I would think UFC would lose theirs first. Here are a couple reasons, I may be alone on this, but I thought Ken and Tito hated each other way too much and got way too much "hate" publicity to hug and be friends at the end of their bout. Also the gambling odds are being posted for UFC now and the more money is going to be involved in it in a negative way. Also I think they handled the Jens Pulver thing way wrong. Here is a completely speculative scenario but look at it this way
Jens Pulver is champ, yet he came in as an under dog against Penn. Now odds are being placed in the local newspapers so your definately encouraged to bet on them. Jens is pissed because he is the champ and he is getting 10 grand, where penn is getting 30 grand. The contract negotiatoins are going to ****, and a bookie could stand to make 100 grand for betting a ****load on penn and having jens lose. He is going to be in the UFC long, so he takes the dive and gets his pay. May not happen with these fighters, but I think its going to be something to watch out for.

Sounds like the way a lot of Pro Boxing has gone over the years...

This would be the last thing MMA would want

I don't think MMA will be as big as boxing or baseball...but it will be bigger....


but the fireball thing could happen....

You all are right, I see it exactly the same. I know of a lot of smaller events that are opening that have great ideas and will blow up big! For example one event that I was suppose to fight in called "venom" was going to be huge. But other promoters got scared and shut it down. UCC and WFA are going to make it big. The smaller events are taking better care of there fighters than the big ones. A lot of us fighters do this for a living , and we dont make very much. The newspaper boy makes more than me, maybe I should ask him for his autogragh. But everyday fighters put there bodys through the worst pain imaginable. Then after the day we fight we cant do nothing because are hands are broke or you have a huge head ache and ect.... Sometimes I wonder why I do it, but I love this sport so much, I cant get enough of it. After our fights we want to go out and celebrate but a lot of the times we just cant because we need to get home and start training for the next fight in 4 weeks. It sucks but I'm inlove!


scorpion:lovers:

these posts are all too big for me to read so i'll just have to agree with the scorpion

Originally posted by Jeremy Jackson
You all are right, I see it exactly the same. I know of a lot of smaller events that are opening that have great ideas and will blow up big! For example one event that I was suppose to fight in called "venom" was going to be huge. But other promoters got scared and shut it down. UCC and WFA are going to make it big. The smaller events are taking better care of there fighters than the big ones. A lot of us fighters do this for a living , and we dont make very much. The newspaper boy makes more than me, maybe I should ask him for his autogragh. But everyday fighters put there bodys through the worst pain imaginable. Then after the day we fight we cant do nothing because are hands are broke or you have a huge head ache and ect.... Sometimes I wonder why I do it, but I love this sport so much, I cant get enough of it. After our fights we want to go out and celebrate but a lot of the times we just cant because we need to get home and start training for the next fight in 4 weeks. It sucks but I'm inlove!


scorpion:lovers:

i can understand your insight and can just thank you for your motivation. It rubs off. It is hard..... training all the time, and fighting and all that follows. fighters deserve alot of respect, that they are not given. And reading thoughts like yours is what will revolutionalize and make a statement as to why and how mma will grow.

i actually read the posts finally and adams last post is so correct it hurts.

**** ain't easy!

"Sometimes I wonder why I do it, but I love this sport so much, I cant get enough of it. After our fights we want to go out and celebrate but a lot of the times we just cant because we need to get home and start training for the next fight in 4 weeks. It sucks but I'm inlove!"

Words spoken by Jeremy Jackson. Man this needs to get published in grappling magazine or FightSport............

Talk about something to pump me up....

I'm sorry this is so long, but more than anything, I want MMA to become legal in California, so I wrote to this guy, I think he is responsible for shutting down the Venom event.
sent to: robert_lynch@dca.ca.gov
Have you ever been to an event? I am a woman, I love this sport, and you need to go with me to an event before you decide to keep it from becoming legal in Cali . I have 3 sons, who have done far worse to each other in my own back yard, with more blood. Better yet, go sit in an emergency room, watch people come in with broken bones, tooth loss, deep gashes from skateboards. Did you know 900 people die from just bicycles each year? 17000 have died from ATV's over the last 10 years, not counting just being paralyzed from them. How about football? 32 deaths in one year? How many paralyzed? How about Pole Vaulting? And 700 deaths from Boxing, since the start of being recorded! Yet the crowds are overwhelming, and people think nothing of watching a fighter get bloody & pounded, mainly to the head!!! Have you watched WWE? Good grief, chairs over heads? Are any of these things banned?
I can tell you this, the dedication, the love each fighter has for the sport they have chosen to compete, and respect each has for the other, cannot be ignored. To be a MMA fighter, you endure long hours of training, very sore muscles, and the knowledge many people will consider you barbaric for even competing in such events.
But yet, go to an event and see the loyalty & respect between each fighter, before & after their event. These guys & gals are dedicated, hard working and knowledgeable of their gifts! They don't go in angry to maim their opponent, they go in to test their skills, each one putting applying what they have worked so hard to accomplish, knowing that one simple move can undo their planned victory! Many have regular jobs, and are not paid to train full time as some, but yet their love & heart for MMA is well worth it. You might ask why should it matter to me? Well, I am a mom as I said, and my middle child is an MMA fighter. I know the long hours of training, besides having a job, the sore muscles and the perception some have of the sport. As a matter of fact, when he first chose this, and wanted me to come to his first event, I thought it would be a chance for me to discourage him after he got his butt kicked. Didn't happen! I watched with amazement as his martial arts skills, his boxing, and wrestling skills were used, it was the most exciting event I had ever been to!
I travel hundreds of miles by car to each event! I have never met a more loving and dedicated bunch of guys. You know, as parents we are told to get involved in our kids sports events, from t-ball up to high school, I have seen the danger in even baseball, first hand. Well, I was involved in all 3 of their sports, and I used to wonder why would anyone trust a clumsy kid to throw a rock hard ball to a little glove? But yet it is an acceptable sport, even tho I have witnessed many bad ball misses, funny what the thread of that ball can do to a face.
I have often wondered why someone would want to climb a sheer mountain trusting a rope to save them if they fall, or trust a silk parachute to "fall" from the sky, or even enter a cage to tame a wild animal? I have no answer really. But because I don't care for those things, should that prevent them from being able to do them? I hope not. I admire people who can find a dream and follow it. I would love to take you to an event, as long as you aren't embarrassed easily, I get pretty excited usually.But maybe you need to actually witness what I have, to see some of those hard working, caring and normal guys who share a love for the sport of MMA.
I think you would be impressed. And I have to tell you, I have never yelled at any of the refs who devote their time to the safety of the fighters, now baseball was a different story! Shame on me. Please tell me how I can help to get MMA legalized In California, who do I have to bore to tears? I will be more than happy to try.
And I meant what I said about taking you to an event, my son is the "Scorpion", Jeremy Jackson, his events are awesome, and he is only 20 yrs old!! He competed in the King of the Mountain 8 man tournament, and TKO'd his way to be King of the Mountain, IFC Champion of the Americas!
Thank you for listening, if ya want, call me, we'll go to an event!
I'll buy the tickets!
James Fulton, this probably didn't pump you up, but hopefully didn't bore you to tears!!!

Agreed!

scorpion

Excellent letter Momita! Really well put and got your message well and truly across!

I didn't know you was Jeremy's mom!

thats awsome

Momita is ****ing awsome!!!! That is what I am talking about!!! That is the letters and **** that the big shot callers need to see!!! Comming from a mother, a woman, like i said before, i think women will help tremendously revolutionalize the sport of MMA as a sport, not as brutal beatings by a bunch of guys that have a chip on their shoulder, but by a bunch of men and women that love and consider this a sport and most of all.......... RESPECT it as a sport.

Thank you momita, that was taking this whole deal to another step........ another level. You should be proud of yourself as we all are to have you around. :)

Sheesh, now my big head won't fit in my shirt.........should I run for governor ya think?? LOL, thanks guys.

I was going to post something like "Uh, I hope it gets bigger." But after reading these posts, I'll just salute you folks. Great stuff.

I think it would be great to see MMA or some form of it in the Olympics. . . . . anyone think that is possible down the road? I understand Pankration is supposed be included soon . . . .

Well said momita.

momita- u get alot of respect here for your efforts. run for governer??? sheeeeit, i say run for president, haha.

Evil Gajin- i hope so. time will tell bro.

haha is right, I would wish chocolate malt crunch ice-cream for everybody, with no taxes! But really, I wish in 10 yrs we look back & laugh because it is the # 1 sport in the world, and everyone thought it was barbaric because politicians had their heads so far up their butt they couldn't see for all the crap......