Let's skirt past the fact that I recently was watching MTV and let's just discuss the fact that MTV has a new reality show called 'Caged'. Here is the show's description from MTV.com:

"Caged" takes viewers into the world of young people growing up in small town Louisiana, following a group of friends who are finding their way in the world after high school graduation as they struggle to make something of their lives and break out of the metaphorical cage they've found themselves in. This weekly documentary series will take an honest look into the world of young amateur MMA fighters, both inside and outside of the cage. One is dealing with his lost love, another tries to balance his young family and fighting, and another just yearns to make his family proud. It's impossible for them to leave these issues outside of the ring, and each week, viewers will see how their personal lives and choices affect their chances inside the cage.

For these modern day gladiators, every day is a fight to break free from the past, and to find their future. It's their chance to turn their lives around, and an opportunity to stand up and fight to make something of themselves.

Now, as I was wallowing in my own shame while watching the channel, they put on an extended preview of the upcoming series. It's set in the deep south, so already we're off to a bad start. The preview, as well as the commercials, are spliced with back yard training sessions and amateur fight footage, as well as the going ons with the fighters personal lives.

Part of me wants to hate this show already without having seen an episode. One, because it's on MTV, and MTV isn't known for what I would call quality programming (16 and Pregnant, My Super Sweet 16, Jersey Shore, anything Rob Dydreck does). Another reason is because I always hear from old boxing fans/trolls that MMA is nothing but a hick sport for poor white people. Now, I get that MTV wants to show amateur fighters, but come on... Could they have picked a less Southern cast to avoid adding fuel to the troll fire? I know, stupid nit picking. I really shouldn't care what ignorant people think.

Part of me wants this show to be a good representation of the sport and yes, it looks like it MIGHT be. These kids look to be serious about the sport. They, hopefully, train in more than just their back yards. This could be good for the image of fighters in general, that even at the lowest rung on the totem pole that these guys train hard and aren't meat heads. This show could even draw positive attention to the sport, which is always a good thing. I just really hope this show is more 'True Life' than '16 and Pregnant'.

If anyone wants to check out the trailer for the show, which begins airing January 9th 2012, here is the link to the trailer