Mixed martial arts is one of the most popular sports in the world, and interest in the sport grows exponentially each year. While everyone knows that the athletes are tough competitors trained in multiple styles of fighting, including Muay Thai, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and more, here are a few facts about MMA that you might not know.
MMA fighters are well educated. In fact, about 80 percent of fighters that have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship have college degrees. Even taking into consideration that basketball players and football players earn tons of scholarships for college prior to turning pro, this is still much higher than the national average. Less than 30 percent of Americans have earned a college degree, so MMA fighters are far more educated than most Americans. In fact, both Rorion Gracie and Nick Thompson both have law degrees, Rich Franklin has a Master's degree in education, and Jeff Monson has a Master's degree in Psychology.
In the UFC, fighters battle it out in an octagonal ring. I know, most of you are shaking your heads and muttering, "duh." Why do these fighters fight in an octagon? Is it simply the favorite shape of Rorion Gracie? No. The idea of a non-circular ring or cage derives from the idea that different fighting styles are better displayed in an octagon, or in the case of Strikeforce, a hexagon. In addition, there was this fairly awesome Chuck Norris movie in 1980 called "The Octagon," where Norris is a martial artist trying to defeat a group of ninjas known as The Octagon.
Since the dawn of time, little boys have settled disputes with rough and tumble fights. Some boys grow up and still settle disputes in a similar fashion. For instance, the largest amount of the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, LLC, is owned by the Fertitta brothers who decided that if they cannot settle a dispute over the management of the company, they will settle it with a jiu-jitsu contest. By the way, if you aren't convinced that the Fertitta's are fight fans, their company is named for an Italian word that means scuffle.
There are many MMA fighters that have military careers or who have been police officers or fire fighters at one time. Given the physical demands of those jobs, that's not surprising, but a few MMA fighters have held much more unusual jobs. Georges St-Pierre, for example, once spent his days working as a garbage man. Mauricio Rua was once a fashion model, and several MMA stars have worked as actors.
We all know the MMA is a tough sport and injuries are common and often serious, but time and time again, MMA is called a deadly sport or the most dangerous sport. In fact, that just isn't the case. Since the first sanctioned events, there have been three deaths, and while these are certainly tragic, statistically during the same approximate 20-year period, many other sports are far deadlier. NASCAR, for example, has seen many horrific accidents, and eight drivers have died since 1992.
MMA fighters are well educated. In fact, about 80 percent of fighters that have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship have college degrees. Even taking into consideration that basketball players and football players earn tons of scholarships for college prior to turning pro, this is still much higher than the national average. Less than 30 percent of Americans have earned a college degree, so MMA fighters are far more educated than most Americans. In fact, both Rorion Gracie and Nick Thompson both have law degrees, Rich Franklin has a Master's degree in education, and Jeff Monson has a Master's degree in Psychology.
In the UFC, fighters battle it out in an octagonal ring. I know, most of you are shaking your heads and muttering, "duh." Why do these fighters fight in an octagon? Is it simply the favorite shape of Rorion Gracie? No. The idea of a non-circular ring or cage derives from the idea that different fighting styles are better displayed in an octagon, or in the case of Strikeforce, a hexagon. In addition, there was this fairly awesome Chuck Norris movie in 1980 called "The Octagon," where Norris is a martial artist trying to defeat a group of ninjas known as The Octagon.
Since the dawn of time, little boys have settled disputes with rough and tumble fights. Some boys grow up and still settle disputes in a similar fashion. For instance, the largest amount of the UFC's parent company, Zuffa, LLC, is owned by the Fertitta brothers who decided that if they cannot settle a dispute over the management of the company, they will settle it with a jiu-jitsu contest. By the way, if you aren't convinced that the Fertitta's are fight fans, their company is named for an Italian word that means scuffle.
There are many MMA fighters that have military careers or who have been police officers or fire fighters at one time. Given the physical demands of those jobs, that's not surprising, but a few MMA fighters have held much more unusual jobs. Georges St-Pierre, for example, once spent his days working as a garbage man. Mauricio Rua was once a fashion model, and several MMA stars have worked as actors.
We all know the MMA is a tough sport and injuries are common and often serious, but time and time again, MMA is called a deadly sport or the most dangerous sport. In fact, that just isn't the case. Since the first sanctioned events, there have been three deaths, and while these are certainly tragic, statistically during the same approximate 20-year period, many other sports are far deadlier. NASCAR, for example, has seen many horrific accidents, and eight drivers have died since 1992.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes blogging about mixed martial arts advantages. For additional info about a mixed martial arts gym in San Diego or to find muay thai San Diego coaches, please go to The Arena MMA site today.
