Opponents of Mixed Martial Arts cling to images like this one of a bloodied Joe Stevenson as all...

Opponents of Mixed Martial Arts cling to images like this one of a bloodied Joe Stevenson as all the example they need to denounce the sport.

Those who love the sport, like E. Spencer Kyte of Keyboard Kimura, know this isn't an accurate representation and that Mixed Martial Arts isn't the savagely brutal "human cockfighting" the opposition claims it to be.

Here, he offers some food for thought to those who rally against the fastest growing sport in the world.

over 2 years ago E. Spencer Kyte 6 comments 0 recs |

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Oh great

Now people are pointing towards my photo of Joe and using it as ammunition to get the sport banned?

Perhaps they’d like to see the shots that I took a few moments later of Joe walking, unaided and with barely a scratch from him, out of the arena and backstage.

The cut was absolutely tiny and yet, because of it’s location close to the blood-rich veins on the hairline, it bled profusely… a small daub of Vaseline from Leon Tabbs sorted it out.

by VikingPhotography on Jun 4, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

VP,

First – great photo…

Second, I’m saying people use these kinds of images, bloodied fighters, as indication that the sport is too violent and savage. You and I and countless others know that isn’t the case, but the piece is about the diluted naysayers who challenge this sport on the sole basis of violence and brutality.

Hope this clears things up for you.

by E. Spencer Kyte on Jun 4, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

You took that picture

That’s one of the best photos of that year. Kudos.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jun 4, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

Though I got to say that I was very cautious about filing that shot with ESPN because, as a fan of MMA and the UFC, I was acutely aware that such a powerful image could be abused once it got online… still I don’t regret taking the picture or the fact that it’s so widely known. I really out to buy Joe a drink next time I meet up with him….

Oh, and (shameless plug) more of my MMA and general work is here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcneilcommercialphoto/

by VikingPhotography on Jun 4, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I checked it out earlier – it’s awesome – and could (with your permission and authorization of course) hunt down more of your work in the future because it’s just phenomenal!

by E. Spencer Kyte on Jun 4, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions