Is MMA contributing to underground fight clubs?

by NCSAR on Dec 18, 2009 4:38 PM EST

So today while at work someone told me that MMA and the UFC is the reason for underground fight clubs. I was shocked initially but after some thinking and their arguments I wondered to myself just how much influence it has.

HERE is the link for my full post

Here are some of the thoughts on the post. I am also looking forward to hearing your comments. I need ammo for the next time I see this person.

I challenge you to go to your local mall and count how many Tapout, Affliction, or UFC shirts you see. The results may surprise you. The sport of MMA has stepped up and has surpassed many American sports in terms of popularity. Some would argue that it has already overthrown baseball, hockey, and soccer here in the States.

One of the most popular movies in recent time was a classic that had a cult like following. One that featured an underground fight club. Interestingly enough, the movie was titles as such (Fight Club, if your slow). While at work today, someone told me “MMA is the reason for the stupid teen fight clubs”. I was shocked to hear this, which led to this post.

The MMA movement for guys is the equal to the MTV TRL movement for young teenage girls. Everyone thinks they are a cagefighter. Go to the bar at night. You will see ten or more self proclaimed Chuck Liddells that are looking for a fight (usually drunk, with no girl, and pissed off at the world). Some of this is bad decision making, a lack of intelligence, and bad self esteem (look at me acting like Dr. Phil). However, I also feel that part of it is that they see the UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM, and the other organizations, only to assume that they are just as tough.

While I know that MMA is NOT the reason for underground fight clubs, I can't say that it isn't influencing it. Help me out, I need ammo!!!!!

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yea, the person I was arguing with is a huge hockey homer.

by NCSAR on Dec 18, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions

What many fans who want to emulate Fight Club are missing is that it is the story of a man struggling to come to terms with his own homosexuality.
Or maybe they got that part.

by John Nash on Dec 18, 2009 5:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions

1) underground fight clubs existed before mma, what groups like the UFC did is get it regulated and had set rules. Does mma influenece underground fight clubs? Sure in the same way that the Fast and The Furious movies influenced illegal drag racing or the same way that a show like Gossip Girl influences underage drugs and drinking. So what is the answer to ban all of it and only have “good wholesome values” movies and tv shows.

2) In my expierence the mma movement did not make more people want to fight. You say “go to a bar” ding ding ding we have a winner. Alcohol and “tough guys” dont mix well. Before mma there would be a lot of people at bars that want to fight and if mma turns out to be a fad and goes away you can still go to a bar and drunk people will still wanna fight.

3) Fight Club: The Book came out in 1996 and Fight Club: The Movie in 1999. Anyone who knows mma knows it didnt really hit it off with casual fans until Griffin-Bonnar in April 2005 so shouldnt Chuck Palahniuk, the author of fight club, and Brad Pitt and Edward Norton be held responsible then as well?

4) Anyone with common sense knows that stupid people do stupid things. There are a lot of people that are able to watch mma and enjoy it and not start “underground fight clubs”.

People should be responsible for their own actions. I can watch a movie with shooting or drag racing and not go out and illegally drag race or shoot someone. I can watch an mma match and not want to fight someone.

If you want to ban mma cause a few dumb people start fight clubs and fight then where does it end. Can you no longer show drug use anywhere because someone might do drugs after watching it? Can you no longer show shooting in movies because someone might shoot someone else after watching it?

If that is the world your co-worker wants to live in then fuck kill me now because I dont want to live in the world where I’m punished and everything is pc cause a few dumbass people cant control their actions.

by bigdmmafan on Dec 18, 2009 5:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs