MMA has world-renowned recognition as a sport in the present time with promotions such as the UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship attracting millions of fans. Despite its massive popularity, MMA does not feature in the Olympic Games for two main reasons: the high level of injuriousness and restriction for those who are below the age of 18.
Recognition Bestowed on MMA as a Sport
MMA is generally recognized as a sport, having organized and standardized rules, professional organizations, and people who can be considered professional athletes.
MMA is composed of a combination of various forms of fighting including boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing. It has attained legal sanctioning authority in many countries and is governed by bodies that set regulations for sanctioning events, safety measures, and judging criteria.
Despite its recognition, MMA has seriously struggled to gain a foothold in Olympic sports. Foremost concerns are its brutality-like perception, high rates of injuries, and markets suitable for children globally.
Brutality of the Sport
One of the foremost considerations why MMA does not hold the status of an Olympic game is because of the perceived brutality. Critics have maintained that MMA brutality does not comprise an Olympic virtue of sportsmanship and fair play.
Comparative Grievance with Boxing
Some support the claim that boxing, as an already-Olympic sport, is equally brutal. Throughout history, many boxers have sustained grave injuries, including brain damage and, in some cases, even death.
But boxing has historic grounds to base its credibility on the Olympics, going as far back as ancient Greece. It has structured rounds, safety equipment, and a scoring system that judges the lowest amount of damage taken by the fighters.
MMA, conversely, makes its reputation with perilous fights. Whereas boxing considers punching to be the primary method of attack, MMA fighters are taught to kick, elbow, knee-strike, grapple, and submit opponents.
The hybrid nature of these techniques tends to project a much more brutal image of MMA fights, causing injuries and spilling blood freely.
Danger of Severe Injuries in the MMA World
Besides other key reasons, the presence of such a high risk of injuries takes away its inclusion in the Olympics. Blood is often visible in every MMA fight, and fighters sustain serious injuries:
- Lacerations and Cuts: Heavy elbow and punch usage on the part of their opponents essentially guarantee some deep cuts during fights.
- Broken Bones: Broken arms, broken legs, and facial fractures have all been reported to occur during an MMA match.
- Concussion and Brain Damage: Being hit repeatedly on the head adds a risk of brain injury.
- Dislocated Joints: Joint dislocations can occur from submissions that dislocate shoulders, knees, and degenerative ligament injuries.
The severity of these injuries raises doubts as to whether or not MMA is safe enough to allow young viewers watching to follow suit.
Effects on Young Viewers
The Olympic Games represent an occasion for the family, watched by millions of children and teenagers globally. Young viewers may find it disturbing to watch a sport where gladiators incur serious injury, bleed on the mat, and even break bones.
MMA lacks numerous counter-violent regulations relative to other combat sports, such as judo, taekwondo, or boxing.
Boxers use protective headgear for amateur bouts, and MMA has done away with all head protection, making it easier for their fighters to sustain serious injury.
As the aim of the Olympics is to push and endorse sports that are all-inclusive, fun, and good for every age group, this bloody appearance closes the door to being accepted into the Games.
Complex Rules and Regulations
For a sport to be put into the Olympics, it needs to be governed under a single set of rules and a regulating body that controls competitions all over the world. Unfortunately, MMA has been dualistic with various governing organizations, namely WWE, IFL, Bellator, etc., imposing different rules.
Different organizations allow and prohibit either soccer kicking or knee striking to the head of the downed opponent. Therefore it is hard, if not impossible for MMA to be included as an Olympic sport, due to not having a recognized set of rules governing world-over events.
In addition, Olympic sports have to be significantly practiced in various countries with a well-established amateur system. While MMA has such recognition in the U.S., Brazil, and certain parts of Europe and Asia, it has never really taken off, fully developed, and grown in many other countries. This shortcoming thus becomes yet another anti-Olympic factor cutting against MMA.
Fusion of MMA Into the Olympics
Despite the thick walls it encounters, it has been trying to inch closer to getting MMA into the Olympics. And that has been facilitated through the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s (IMMAF) effort to make the sport recognized as Olympic by putting in place worldwide amateur MMA contests. It has already set standardized rules, safety measures, and anti-doping regulations in harmony with Olympic standards.
If these moves continue, maybe one day in recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will come. Nonetheless, it will require some radical changes in the format of the sport that would involve modifying rules and making it more safety-oriented.
Possible Changes to Make MMA Olympic Sport
To be eligible for Olympic induction, MMA would need to make some modifications, such as:
- Shorter Fight Time: Reduce round lengths and shorten fight times to lessen injuries.
- Protective Gear Enhancement– Additional headgear and padding with changes in rules.
- Stricter Blood and Injury Stoppage Rules– Fights be stopped at much earlier points where there are extreme bleedings/serious injury points.
- Global Rule Harmonisation– Bringing the rules of MMA in all countries into a binding common set of rules.
Such a change may leave MMA better placed for the future in terms of acceptance into the Olympic Games.
Conclusion: Will MMA Ever Be an Olympic Sport?
While MMA has become one of the most electrifying sports and is well-followed around the world, several factors such as the concern for brutality, high chances of injuries, unreasonable ratings for younger audiences, and the absence of a globally accepted governing body continue to act as hurdles for the sport in entering the Olympic circuit.
However, with the untiring efforts of IMMAF and possible changes in the way rules are framed, MMA could become an Olympic sport someday. Until then, MMA fans will have to enjoy through-the-rope entertainment with promotions such as UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship.
At this time, MMA is an extremely stimulating combat sport, and its inclusion in the Olympics will require considerable time.