The Technique Geek and The Brawler

In order for the sport of MMA to grow, especially here in the UK, we need to establish a common spirit in this fighting sport. To do this we must at least come to terms with the term cagefighter.

In my opinion calling Mixed Martial Artists Cagefighters is almost derogatory. These no brain idiots who simply want to fight in a cage to be able to brag about it on sturday night in town are not what the sport is about.

I have an almost similar objection to Alex Reid and his highly publisized BAMMA 4 fight with Tom Watson. Both of these men showed how poor and limited their technique was and that they were both simply bar room brawlers. Now this had a reasonably large audience in the UK due to Alex Reid's marraige to a certain celebrity. The damage done to the image of MMA amongst the average MMA hater was significant, adding more fuel to the argument that it is merely going back to the old fashioned illegal prizefighting.

On the other hand however, the technique geeks must not get too critical of the guys who come into the sport only wanting to fight. All the technique in the world will not win you an MMA match unless you have that fighting spirit and sole.

We must watch ourselves for swaying too far to either end of this spectrum and as is always the case the middle ground is the best place to be. This will enable you to be the best Mixed Martial Artist possible and the most well rounded fighter.

Remember fight hard, fight smart.

Yak