http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712200345
MIKE BRUDENELL BOXING
MMA fans counterpunch columnist
December 20, 2007
From fans to participants, the majority of you who replied to my column from last week have given thumps up to conducting Mixed Martial Arts contests in Michigan.
Responding to my stance that MMA fights should not be legalized in the state, many said they were offended by my lack of knowledge of their sport and my bias toward boxing.
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"Angelo" stated: "I won't even go into the amount of training that goes into preparing for a single fight. Boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, jujitsu, cardio and weights are all a daily routine. What you refer to as barbaric is truly more like a chess match. The days of referring to MMA as a blood sport, or barbaric human cockfighting, are long gone my friend."
"James" wrote: "Outwardly your article makes you appear uninformed and ignorant. Furthermore, your article has a feel which is becoming almost cliché at this point: boxers, boxing writers and commentators posting their opinions on a sport which they know little. As a fan of MMA and an amateur fighter, I am offended that you portray us as bloodthirsty and injury-crazed. Apparently you can enjoy watching repeated punches to the head ... but a well-executed switch from guard to mount or well-executed knee from the thai plumb is savage."
"Jon" said I needed to attend an MMA event before writing on it. "I hope you get a chance to watch a show and see why true fighters can enjoy both boxing and MMA without discrediting the validity of either sport. Your piece on why you believe MMA shouldn't be sanctioned in Michigan shows a blatant lack of knowledge about the MMA and the fights themselves."
"Patrick" replied: "I'm sure you've received quite a few e-mails by now attempting to inform you of the strict regulations and safety precautions that help (MMA) fighters stay safe in sanctioned events. It seems to be the norm that people tend to berate what they don't understand; after all, isn't that why my grandparents think the current music 'is just noise?' I think this is what your misunderstanding of MMA stems from. If you are looking for 'sweat science,' you should look at such fighters as B.J. Penn or Fedor Emelianenko. Both are examples of where the sport is going, and the intricacies of what they do, and, in my opinion, at least the equal of the performances of world-class boxers."
MMA fighter Jay (the Irish Tornado) Ireland fumed: "As a pro fighter with 26 fights and roughly 10 years of training, I found your article not only insulting but ignorant and ill advised. A little research and maybe some counter perspective would be appreciated."
"Mike," a boxing fan, also was upset: "You will never see a pub fight go down like a MMA fight -- that statement (you made) is asinine, and only proves that the only MMA action you have ever seen was in the early days when 'toughman' contests were around. I have watched boxing matches go on for too many punches before the match is stopped, and serious brain damage down the road is the result. Sure boxing is a sport that requires much skill and technique, but so does MMA!"
Not all, however, said MMA contests should be held in Michigan.
"Joanna" e-mailed: "Totally agree with your position. Hope it gets a lot of reads and makes a difference."
And "Douglas" ended with: "Regarding your article: thanks and amen."