Former mma fan turned boxing fan...

[Phenomkidd]

That's if you believe the hype. Pankration is about as much of an artform as MMA. It's just simply the name of the contest of 2 guys pretty much fighting to the death. Nothing more, nothing less. It isnt and was never a discipline in itself and we'll never know exactly what artform of fighting the most dominant fighters in pankration thousands of years ago actually used. For all we know there could have been dudes dominating with nothing but tae kwon do.

Yes we will, Pankration mainly was a blend of Greek Boxing and Wrestling, "is a martial arts sport introduced to the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and founded as a blend of boxing and wrestling." And you don't have to fight to the death either.

"The contest itself usually continued uninterrupted until one of the combatants was submitted, which was often signalled by the submitted contestant raising his index finger. The judges appear, however, to have had the right to stop a contest under certain conditions and award the victory to one of the two athletes; they could also declare the contest a tie."

Thats like saying Vale Tudo wasn't a form or predecessor of MMA. Pankration is still alive btw.

[shadeyfizzle]

Yes we will, Pankration mainly was a blend of Greek Boxing and Wrestling, "is a martial arts sport introduced to the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC and founded as a blend of boxing and wrestling." And you don't have to fight to the death either.

"The contest itself usually continued uninterrupted until one of the combatants was submitted, which was often signalled by the submitted contestant raising his index finger. The judges appear, however, to have had the right to stop a contest under certain conditions and award the victory to one of the two athletes; they could also declare the contest a tie."

Thats like saying Vale Tudo wasn't a form or predecessor of MMA. Pankration is still alive btw.

Pankration is being ressurected today now that they've re-discovered it's history. But Pankration today is virtually indistinguishable from modern mma.

And no pankration was not limited to greek boxing and wrestling. It just so happened that the majority of participants were Greeks and thats what they were versed in. While matches themselves were not fights to the death...the overwhelming majority of fighters being spartan preferred being choked to death than shame themselves by submitting. Those that did submit were later either stoned to death for cowardice or killed themselves rather than living in shame.

[balintawak]

Boxing - The Sweet Science

I also occassionally watch MMA. There is also technical wizardry in grappling, but when a good MMA match goes head to head with a good boxing match, it's no contest, boxing is definitely more exciting to watch.

[shadeyfizzle]

I also occassionally watch MMA. There is also technical wizardry in grappling, but when a good MMA match goes head to head with a good boxing match, it's no contest, boxing is definitely more exciting to watch.

Serrada > Balintawak

[Phenomkidd]

Pankration is being ressurected today now that they've re-discovered it's history. But Pankration today is virtually indistinguishable from modern mma.

And no pankration was not limited to greek boxing and wrestling. It just so happened that the majority of participants were Greeks and thats what they were versed in. While matches themselves were not fights to the death...the overwhelming majority of fighters being spartan preferred being choked to death than shame themselves by submitting. Those that did submit were later either stoned to death for cowardice or killed themselves rather than living in shame.

I never said it was I said it was MAINLY. The majority of the participants were Greek because only Greeks could compete. Pankration was a Greek Olympic/Panhellenic Sport, "Neither women nor non-Greeks were allowed to participate, except for very occasional later exceptions, such as the Roman emperor Nero."

It still doesn't change my point of it being a predecessor to MMA.

As far as spartans: "The Spartans did not participate in the Pankration or boxing events at such festivals, but only the wrestling tournament (where three falls in each match were needed for a victory, and the Spartans believed that you did not concede defeat in such a manner, i.e. having your back touch the floor)."

[KingTito]

Boxing is the best sport on the ****ing planet. Good choice. Welcome to the forum. You'll enjoy it.

[onedream722]

i doubt that very much, Your saying two "people" started wrestling each other and then never threw any punches at one another for many years after wrestling?. Your comment is ridiculous, no human on the planet can be sure when saying "grappling has been around way longer than boxing". For all you know two men may have had an argument 2million years ago and traded blows that is boxing and therefore came before grappling however it could be the other way around but, either way your comment is ****** and ignorant.

a fight always starts by atleast throwing an opening blow...

[shadeyfizzle]

I never said it was I said it was MAINLY. The majority of the participants were Greek because only Greeks could compete. Pankration was a Greek Olympic/Panhellenic Sport, "Neither women nor non-Greeks were allowed to participate, except for very occasional later exceptions, such as the Roman emperor Nero."

It still doesn't change my point of it being a predecessor to MMA.

As far as spartans: "The Spartans did not participate in the Pankration or boxing events at such festivals, but only the wrestling tournament (where three falls in each match were needed for a victory, and the Spartans believed that you did not concede defeat in such a manner, i.e. having your back touch the floor)."

No sir. It does not change your point about it being a predecessor to mma. You're absolutely right.

But there were records of spartans competing in pankration and preffered death by choke or broken neck rather than concede defeat.

[liam_48@msn.com]

You're an idiot. He's talking about as a sport. What makes boxing boxing is the rules. Otherwise it's just a fight. Boxing has been a sport for maybe 200years at most while wrestling has been around since 3,000B.C.

Until you travel back in time and give me real evidence then i don't believe a word. You will never know if boxing wasn't an organized sport hundred's of thousands of years ago just like you'll never know when wrestling became a sport.