Combat Sports : Yes or No?

[Niamh.]

Such as :

Professional boxing.
Professional kickboxing.
Knockdown karate.
Mixed martial arts.
Submission wrestling.

What are your thoughts on them? Are you fan or do you think they should be banned? Would you allow your kids to take any of them up or did/do
you do any yourself?

https://evolve-mma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/9539820114_340ee5318e_z.jpg

[Northern Monkey]

Yes love em and would let my kids do them.I used to do Muay Thai among other martial arts in the past.Always been abit of a side interest.
I used to love watching UFC years ago before Connor Mcgregor was a thing but then life kind of took over and I didn't see it for years.I saw his first Nate Diaz fight but that's the last one i saw.Is it Pay Per View these days?

[Niamh.]

Yes love em and would let my kids do them.I used to do Muay Thai among other martial arts in the past.Always been abit of a side interest.
I used to love watching UFC years ago before Connor Mcgregor was a thing but then life kind of took over and I didn't see it for years.I saw his first Nate Diaz fight but that's the last one i saw.Is it Pay Per View these days?

Yeah the main cards are PPV

The second fight against Nate was epic, you should try watching that some time, what a war it was

My son does karate, he's going for his 3rd Brown Belt in a couple of weeks, hopefully going for the black then next September

[user104658]

I'm not a "fan" per se in that I don't find them particularly entertaining, but that really goes for most sports, from football to darts to porn: I enjoy playing them, but being a spectator sort of bores me?

In a really morbid way I would absolutely LOVE to see two humans at the peak of their physcal fitness / training go up against each other with absolutely no rules... just to know what that looks like. As it stands, even the MMA stuff with minimal rules does HAVE rules (obviously, as people would die) so it never feels quite... real enough... :joker:.


As for banning them, adults should be free to do what they want with their bodies so long as they aren't endangering anyone else who isn't consensually involved :shrug:

[Niamh.]

I'm not a "fan" per se in that I don't find them particularly entertaining, but that really goes for most sports, from football to darts to porn: I enjoy playing them, but being a spectator sort of bores me?

In a really morbid way I would absolutely LOVE to see two humans at the peak of their physcal fitness / training go up against each other with absolutely no rules... just to know what that looks like. As it stands, even the MMA stuff with minimal rules does HAVE rules (obviously, as people would die) so it never feels quite... real enough... :joker:.


As for banning them, adults should be free to do what they want with their bodies so long as they aren't endangering anyone else who isn't consensually involved :shrug:

I agree with that. Actually what's even worse than people saying they should be banned is hearing (and I have heard this quite a lot) people say that women shouldn't be allowed do them but men should

[jet]

Such as :

Professional boxing.
Professional kickboxing.
Knockdown karate.
Mixed martial arts.
Submission wrestling.

What are your thoughts on them? Are you fan or do you think they should be banned? Would you allow your kids to take any of them up or did/do
you do any yourself?

https://evolve-mma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/9539820114_340ee5318e_z.jpg

I think boxing should be banned in particular, it's barbaric. Watching men being punched in the head until they can barely stand isn't 'entertaining' to me, it's barbaric...and all the brain injuries and deaths etc...I don't get why it hasn't been banned long ago.

[Niamh.]

I think boxing should be banned in particular, it's barbaric. Watching men being punched in the head until they can barely stand isn't 'entertaining' to me, it's barbaric...and all the brain injuries and deaths etc...I don't get why it hasn't been banned long ago.

But do you not think it should be down to the individuals who participate in these sports to decide? There's risk involved in all sports, American Football infact is one of the worst for concussions and brain damage more so than boxing I believe (but I will try to find something to back that up)

and you can choose to just not watch the sport if you don't like it

[jet]

Yes love em and would let my kids do them.I used to do Muay Thai among other martial arts in the past.Always been abit of a side interest.
I used to love watching UFC years ago before Connor Mcgregor was a thing but then life kind of took over and I didn't see it for years.I saw his first Nate Diaz fight but that's the last one i saw.Is it Pay Per View these days?

Even boxing?
I personally couldn't bear the thought of my son being repeatedly punched and maybe ending up brain damaged or worse...

[user104658]

I think boxing should be banned in particular, it's barbaric. Watching men being punched in the head until they can barely stand isn't 'entertaining' to me, it's barbaric...and all the brain injuries and deaths etc...I don't get why it hasn't been banned long ago.

It's about informed consent, though, I don't think anyone at this point getting involved in boxing is unaware of these risks... and the risk is only to themselves (and those they are fighting, who also know the same). I guess I'd compare it to choosing to ride a motorbike? That's also very risky compared to driving a car, but that doesn't mean it should be banned... people choosing it are aware of the risks.

[Northern Monkey]

Yeah the main cards are PPV

The second fight against Nate was epic, you should try watching that some time, what a war it was

My son does karate, he's going for his 3rd Brown Belt in a couple of weeks, hopefully going for the black then next September
Yeah i will have to watch that.I saw the press conference where he threw the water bottle.He got fined like $150,000 for that i think and won't fight in Vegas again.That's a hefty fine for throwing a plastic bottle:laugh:

That is an achievement.He'll be chuffed when he gets it.
I always wished i'd stuck Karate out and got my Black Belt.My problem is that i start things but there aren't many things i stick to.
Thai Boxing was the most fun.Did that for like two years.Got a few black eyes though:laugh:

[Northern Monkey]

I agree with that. Actually what's even worse than people saying they should be banned is hearing (and I have heard this quite a lot) people say that women shouldn't be allowed do them but men should

I wouldn't say that to Ronda Rousey:laugh:

[user104658]

Even boxing?
I personally couldn't bear the thought of my son being repeatedly punched and maybe ending up brain damaged or worse...

To be fair, though, that risk only arises at the middlweight-and-above professional level and so, again, anyone getting involved at that level would be an adult. Not WANTING your adult children to engage in risky activity is one thing, but really, when they are adults it's up to them. Of course, not encouraging them to take it up as a hobby when they're younger would be totally valid.

In my own opinion... I would only do that if they were interested in other physical hobbies. Martial arts and boxing are amazing in terms of exercise and, frankly, their health would be FAR more at risk in real terms having NO physical hobbies, than having boxing as a physical hobby. Especially as - again - there is no real health risk at the hobby level.

[Niamh.]

Yeah i will have to watch that.I saw the press conference where he threw the water bottle.He got fined like $150,000 for that i think and won't fight in Vegas again.That's a hefty fine for throwing a plastic bottle:laugh:

That is an achievement.He'll be chuffed when he gets it.
I always wished i'd stuck Karate out and got my Black Belt.My problem is that i start things but there aren't many things i stick to.
Thai Boxing was the most fun.Did that for like two years.Got a few black eyes though:laugh:

That was funny, the build up was as much fun as the fight :laugh:

I was the same as a kid, i think the difference is I started Luke off when he was really young and didn't let him drop out like my mom always let me :hehe:

I wouldn't say that to Ronda Rousey:laugh:

I know right? Oh her come back is Dec 30th, looking forward to that one

[armand.kay]

MMA is hot at times... so yeah she can stay.

[Northern Monkey]

Even boxing?
I personally couldn't bear the thought of my son being repeatedly punched and maybe ending up brain damaged or worse...

Only when they're teenagers.They wear head guards if they spar.Not now while they're still young.

[user104658]

I always wished i'd stuck Karate out and got my Black Belt.My problem is that i start things but there aren't many things i stick to.
Thai Boxing was the most fun.Did that for like two years.Got a few black eyes though:laugh:

One of my best mates (I've known him since early childhood) quit at brown belt, when he was 16 because the class was on a Friday night and he wanted to come out on the piss. To this day he occasionally pulls out the "black belt in karate" brag and I'm like "*ahem*, BROWN". :laugh:

[Northern Monkey]

That was funny, the build up was as much fun as the fight :laugh:

I was the same as a kid, i think the difference is I started Luke off when he was really young and didn't let him drop out like my mom always let me :hehe:



I know right? Oh her come back is Dec 30th, looking forward to that one

I saw a Youtube vid of these three lads/young men sparring with a female UFC fighter.The lads were trained fighters i think.She destroyed all of them:laugh:

[jet]

But do you not think it should be down to the individuals who participate in these sports to decide? There's risk involved in all sports, American Football infact is one of the worst for concussions and brain damage more so than boxing I believe (but I will try to find something to back that up)

and you can choose to just not watch the sport if you don't like it


I guess it is down to the individual, but I still think it's barbaric and haven't watched a boxing match for years....
In American football the intent isn't to hurt someone until their brain is shaken around in their head so badly they can barely stand up. I think it's the thought of deliberately targeting the head area that I can't stomach. My guideline is 'would I want to see my son being punched in the head or causing hurt deliberately that way and the answer is a big NO'! (He does play football...)
I forbade him to buy a motorbike when he was 17 and thankfully he grew out of wanting one. Maybe I'm an over protective Dad...:laugh:

[Niamh.]

One of my best mates (I've known him since early childhood) quit at brown belt, when he was 16 because the class was on a Friday night and he wanted to come out on the piss. To this day he occasionally pulls out the "black belt in karate" brag and I'm like "*ahem*, BROWN". :laugh:

+ there's 3 Brown belts before black :laugh:

[Niamh.]

I guess it is down to the individual, but I still think it's barbaric and haven't watched a boxing match for years....
In American football the intent isn't to hurt someone until their brain is shaken around in their head so badly they can barely stand up. I think it's the thought of deliberately targeting the head area that I can't stomach. My guideline is 'would I want to see my son being punched in the head or causing hurt deliberately that way and the answer is a big NO'! (He does play football...)
I forbade him to buy a motorbike when he was 17 and thankfully he grew out of wanting one. Maybe I'm an over protective Dad...:laugh:

I have forbidden both my son and my husband from getting motorbikes :fan:

I get what you mean about intent and I understand why you wouldn't watch these sports because of that but it still doesn't take away from the fact that more head injuries occur in Football and Cycling than in these sports

[Northern Monkey]

One of my best mates (I've known him since early childhood) quit at brown belt, when he was 16 because the class was on a Friday night and he wanted to come out on the piss. To this day he occasionally pulls out the "black belt in karate" brag and I'm like "*ahem*, BROWN". :laugh:

I bet he's gutted he never stuck it out now.Mainly so you don't take the piss when he tells his black belt story:laugh:

[jet]

To be fair, though, that risk only arises at the middlweight-and-above professional level and so, again, anyone getting involved at that level would be an adult. Not WANTING your adult children to engage in risky activity is one thing, but really, when they are adults it's up to them. Of course, not encouraging them to take it up as a hobby when they're younger would be totally valid.

In my own opinion... I would only do that if they were interested in other physical hobbies. Martial arts and boxing are amazing in terms of exercise and, frankly, their health would be FAR more at risk in real terms having NO physical hobbies, than having boxing as a physical hobby. Especially as - again - there is no real health risk at the hobby level.

Yeah, it's pro - boxing that I think should be banned. (The OP mentioned professional boxing). My younger son did martial arts as a teen for a few years and the discipline and health benefits are awesome. A great sport for teen angst...:hee:

[Cherie]

My kids did karate but I'm not a fan of boxing or martial arts

[jet]

I have forbidden both my son and my husband from getting motorbikes :fan:

I get what you mean about intent and I understand why you wouldn't watch these sports because of that but it still doesn't take away from the fact that more head injuries occur in Football and Cycling than in these sports

I haven't personally witnessed this. Fingers crossed. :laugh: My son has been playing football for years and my sisters son plays American football and neither of them has ever had a head injury, and I've never heard of any of their teams with one either.
But now I'm going to think about it and worry like the worrywart that I am. Thanks Niamh :joker:

[Niamh.]

I haven't personally witnessed this. Fingers crossed. :laugh: My son has been playing football for years and my sisters son plays American football and neither of them has ever had a head injury, and I've never heard of any of their teams with one either.
But now I'm going to think about it and worry like the worrywart that I am. Thanks Niamh :joker:

haha sorry :laugh:

You should watch the film "concussion"

[MTVN]

Quite like boxing but only ever watch big fights, I don't follow it seriously. Never watch any other combat sports. I don't have a problem with them and boxing clubs often seem do a lot of good in more deprived communities. I would worry about the risk of head/brain injuries though if anyone I knew took part in the sport in a serious way.

It's true that American Football carries a big risk of it as well though, it's only in the last few years that the NFL has really taken big steps to try an protect players.

[Livia]

I love a bit of boxing. I see no reason that consenting adults should be stopped doing a sport they love and one that gives them self-control and discipline. Horse racing and horse riding is really dangerous and prone to a lot of injuries and deaths. Can't see anyone calling for it to be banned though.

[Niamh.]

I love a bit of boxing. I see no reason that consenting adults should be stopped doing a sport they love and one that gives them self-control and discipline. Horse racing and horse riding is really dangerous and prone to a lot of injuries and deaths. Can't see anyone calling for it to be banned though.

That bothers me more than combat sports tbh because you're putting an animal at risk there not just yourself

[Livia]

That bothers me more than combat sports tbh because you're putting an animal at risk there not just yourself

That's true. If it was up to me I would ban hurdles racing all together. I know people love horse racing, why not just have flat racing though? Sending a horse and rider over a massive jump at high speed surrounded by other horses is just attempted suicide.

[Niamh.]

That's true. If it was up to me I would ban hurdles racing all together. I know people love horse racing, why not just have flat racing though? Sending a horse and rider over a massive jump at high speed surrounded by other horses is just attempted suicide.

Yeah definitely, I can't watch those, would it make that much of a difference to the races really? Or do people get enjoyment from watching how many fall I wonder? :worry:

[Livia]

Yeah definitely, I can't watch those, would it make that much of a difference to the races really? Or do people get enjoyment from watching how many fall I wonder? :worry:

I know someone who watches F1 in case there's a massive crash. So maybe people do watch hurdles racing for that reason. Can't fathom it myself. I, like you, can't watch it.

[kirklancaster]

Yeah definitely, I can't watch those, would it make that much of a difference to the races really? Or do people get enjoyment from watching how many fall I wonder? :worry:

:joker: Cynical woman. :hee: I LOVE 'Jumps' racing because it requires far more skill in a jockey than just 'steering' as with Flat Racing, and the horses actually ENJOY jumping - witness how many who have unseated their rider often continue to jump and complete the course.

[kirklancaster]

That's true. If it was up to me I would ban hurdles racing all together. I know people love horse racing, why not just have flat racing though? Sending a horse and rider over a massive jump at high speed surrounded by other horses is just attempted suicide.

:fist: Hands off my sport Liv -even IF they are beautiful hands. :hee:

[Niamh.]

:joker: Cynical woman. :hee: I LOVE 'Jumps' racing because it requires far more skill in a jockey than just 'steering' as with Flat Racing, and the horses actually ENJOY jumping - witness how many who have unseated their rider often continue to jump and complete the course.

hhhmm I don't know if you can say the horse enjoy it tbh just because they keep running the same way the others are going, they could just be terrified and working off instinct

[jet]

hhhmm I don't know if you can say the horse enjoy it tbh just because they keep running the same way the others are going, they could just be terrified and working off instinct

Yes, horses just do what the rest are doing. They are pack animals and follow the herd. I can't watch the National or the likes at all...I think it's cruel making those beautiful creatures jump such high fences and beating them with a whip to make them go faster..:oh:

[kirklancaster]

I took up boxing at 8 years old in a 'spit and sawdust gym above a barn - it was still well equipped though for those days - after dabbling in Shotokan for a while, and there is nothing wrong with my brain. (though some on here will disagree. :laugh:)

Seriously, though, there is far less chance of being seriously injured through boxing than a lot of other sports.

Casualties in any sport will always happen in spite of the most rigorous of precautionary measures and the finest of Medical Provisions, but the most common cause of serious head injuries hails from boxers who continue boxing well past the date they should have retired, and boxers who abandon the twin disciplines of training and healthy living in favour of drink, drugs, and the bright lights, and who step into the ring in a far inferior state and condition that they should be in.

I love ballet, and once in awhile, a supremely gifted boxer will step into that ring whose footwork, grace, and elegance of movement is as moving and beautiful as any Sylvie Guillem or Darcy Bussell - and the young 'Black Gazelle' Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali is THE best of them all.

Some say that Ali's terrible Parkinson's Disease was caused by too many blows to the head, and if that is true, then it is because even he 'went on' for far too long.

All I know is, that Boxing GAVE Ali to the world.

By the way, one of my sons boxes - and he is very good at it.

Do I have palpitations watching him - No. His skill, that headguard and those big old overstuffed gloves protect him.

[user104658]

I love a bit of boxing. I see no reason that consenting adults should be stopped doing a sport they love and one that gives them self-control and discipline. Horse racing and horse riding is really dangerous and prone to a lot of injuries and deaths. Can't see anyone calling for it to be banned though.

There are huge anti-horse racing movements actually... probably bigger than for boxing actually... the difference is, it's not because anyone cares about jockies getting hurt (although they often do) but because they care about the conditions for the horses :joker:


:joker: Cynical woman. :hee: I LOVE 'Jumps' racing because it requires far more skill in a jockey than just 'steering' as with Flat Racing, and the horses actually ENJOY jumping - witness how many who have unseated their rider often continue to jump and complete the course.

This is actually a myth Kirk, the reason unseated horses continue to run the course is that they're instinctually driven to continue to "run with the herd". Horse racing on the whole is pretty ruthless and, fairly obviously, the horses would MUCH rather be running free in large groups over open spaces...

And all of this coming from a bookie :hehe:. I actually dislike horse racing as a sport. I mean I'm far from a PETA activist or a... bleuch... "vegan"... but it DOES seem like needless exploitation.

...Dog racing is even worse, though.

[Niamh.]

There are huge anti-horse racing movements actually... probably bigger than for boxing actually... the difference is, it's not because anyone cares about jockies getting hurt (although they often do) but because they care about the conditions for the horses :joker:




This is actually a myth Kirk, the reason unseated horses continue to run the course is that they're instinctually driven to continue to "run with the herd". Horse racing on the whole is pretty ruthless and, fairly obviously, the horses would MUCH rather be running free in large groups over open spaces...

And all of this coming from a bookie :hehe:. I actually dislike horse racing as a sport. I mean I'm far from a PETA activist or a... bleuch... "vegan"... but it DOES seem like needless exploitation.

...Dog racing is even worse, though.

Yeah I'm constantly seeing pages pop up on FB about greyhound racing and the awful way the dogs are treated afterwards. I do have a dislike towards greyhounds though as one of them nearly killed my dog :fist:

[user104658]

Yeah I'm constantly seeing pages pop up on FB about greyhound racing and the awful way the dogs are treated afterwards. I do have a dislike towards greyhounds though as one of them nearly killed my dog :fist:

They're a fairly aggressive breed and if they're ex-racers it's even worse... they shouldn't really be out unmuzzled tbh.

[kirklancaster]

There are huge anti-horse racing movements actually... probably bigger than for boxing actually... the difference is, it's not because anyone cares about jockies getting hurt (although they often do) but because they care about the conditions for the horses :joker:

I AGREE with this ^.


This is actually a myth Kirk, the reason unseated horses continue to run the course is that they're instinctually driven to continue to "run with the herd". Horse racing on the whole is pretty ruthless and, fairly obviously, the horses would MUCH rather be running free in large groups over open spaces...

And all of this coming from a bookie :hehe:. I actually dislike horse racing as a sport. I mean I'm far from a PETA activist or a... bleuch... "vegan"... but it DOES seem like needless exploitation.

...Dog racing is even worse, though.

And I concede that you AND Jet, are probably right here too - :fist: But why the hell did you have to come out with that now when I'm trying to defend Jumps racing. :hee:

[kirklancaster]

They're a fairly aggressive breed and if they're ex-racers it's even worse... they shouldn't really be out unmuzzled tbh.

I wish you had been there a few months ago, to tell the dickhead who I was arguing with because he'd got THREE of the 'orrible things running wild in a local park where there were little tots playing.

[Niamh.]

They're a fairly aggressive breed and if they're ex-racers it's even worse... they shouldn't really be out unmuzzled tbh.

tell me about it, this dog used to just wander around on her own with no muzzle (she got knocked down in the end) There's actually a Rhodesian Ridge back that lives up the road from me who's always outside on his own with no muzzle either (he's never done anything aggressive though thankfully

[MTVN]

An amateur boxer who suffered a head injury in his first match has died.

Kuba Moczyk, 22, was knocked out in the third round of Saturday's fight at the Tower Complex in Great Yarmouth.

His family said he died on Wednesday night at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, where he had been in a coma on a life-support machine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-38093737

Obviously things like this are extremely rare, just spooky that I was reading this thread then checked BBC news and this was the most read story

[Niamh.]

Here's an article I found about MMA and the top sports for fatalities :

Less people have died fighting in MMA than in scuba diving. Since the sport was sanctioned in the USA in 2001, there have been four deaths in sanctioned fights and six deaths in unsanctioned fights. Bear in mind that since 2001, there have been over 160 UFC events and countless other MMA events held around the world.

How can a sport with such a savage disposition result in so few deaths? It’s due to the nature of the sport itself and the strict enforcement of rules.

In MMA, strikes are directed at all parts of the body, thus distributing blows more evenly; compared to boxing where blows are concentrated on the head. In MMA, refs must stop a match immediately a fighter is unable to defend himself. There’s no eye-gouging, hair pulling, or kicking in the groin in MMA.

The injuries in MMA are still pretty gruesome; where else can one person get a broken leg, 2 black eyes, plus a concussion to boot, all within ten minutes? Despite that, MMA is still one of the safest full-contact sports around today. Here are ten sports with a much higher death rate since 2001.

shocked at Soccer being No.2 and no boxing on the list

10. Football: 9+ Deaths
9. Rugby: 12+ Deaths
8. Wrestling: 13+ Deaths
7. Eventing: 18+ Deaths
6. Cycling: 22 Deaths
5. Sailing Yacht Racing: 30+ Deaths
4. Car Racing: 40 Deaths
3. Motorcycle Racing: 48+ Deaths
2. Soccer: 67 Deaths
1. BASE Jumping: 219 Deaths

http://www.therichest.com/rich-list/most-shocking/10-sports-more-dangerous-than-mma/

[James]

That list doesn't take into account how many people compete in those sports though.

One of the things I don't like about boxing is how cocky the boxers are before the match. The trash-talk and all that. Just for the show.

[Niamh.]

That list doesn't take into account how many people compete in those sports though.

One of the things I don't like about boxing is how cocky the boxers are before the match. The trash-talk and all that. Just for the show.

That's my favourite part :hehe: Also, it's more than just for the show I think, the psychological warfare is important as well as the fight itself

[Denver]

This should be in the sports section :nono:

[Niamh.]

This should be in the sports section :nono:

No it shouldn't, it's a debate on whether these sports should be banned

[arista]

This should be in the sports section :nono:


thats my job

[arista]

That young boxer who fought
the other day has now died
in hospital.

[user104658]

That list doesn't take into account how many people compete in those sports though.


True, I was going to say that. The reason "Soccer" is #2 is because it's the most played professional sport globally by an absolutely huge margin. Probably thousands of professional matches played per week across the globe (a guess, but I'd say at least given that there are hundreds of leagues), roughly 25 players per match... say 30 weeks a year over 15 years = nearly 17 million "man hours" of professional soccer played. 67 deaths seems pretty impressive with that considered :joker:.

[Niamh.]

we need a "per capita" type list or something