http://topmmanews.com/2009/04/26/kyle-manard-an-inspiration-for-all-but-should-he-be-competing-in-mma/
I just posted an article questioning if Kyle should be allowed to be competing in MMA and curious everybody's thoughts?
I'm not a fan of anybody saying who should or shouldn't do something in this world, as it's been proven time and time again that there is nothing impossible, but seriously does anybody else have a problem with this?
Thanks
M-A
I have admiration and respect for Kyle for working harder than any of us could imagine just to compete in the sport he loves. I have lots of respect for his opponent for taking a fight that was lose lose for him because it allowed Kyle to compete. I dont know what to think about the entire situation though. I hope this was his only fight for his safety.
Big Rig
I agree with moemar. It's a tricky situation. I don't like the thought of people dictating what a person can and can't do, but where's the line? Does a blind person have as much right to fight MMA as a person without limbs?
The fact is, without "special rules" in place, Kyle wouldn't be able to properly defend himself in MMA.
That being said, I have mad respect for Kyle testing himself.
I think the dude is inspiring and amazing. Chasing your dreams, overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles, is truly living life. As Marc-Andre's article said, "the dude has a black belt in things that cannot be taught".
Instinctively, I am SO for this guy... I've been talking about him and how awesome he is all weekend. Guys like him are some of the best humans we got.
But, when I really think about it, I just don't see how a commission could/would sanction a fight involving him. it makes me feel so bad for him,because this is a dream in his life, but I just don't think a fight with him could be sanctioned.
Imagine Mark Pavelich VS Marc-Andre.
But, for whatever reason, Pavelich will not be wearing gloves, and cannot punch. He also cannot kick.
It is now not MMA. It is a MMA fighter vs wrestler sparring demonstration. (Maybe Tony Condello could promote it?)
Neat stuff, I'd probably watch that, but that will not be sanctioned as an MMA event. It would be too dangerous and unfair for the wrestler.
(I think Pavelich might still beat you Marc-Andre)
I really hope Kyle inspires more and more disabled people to start training in all aspects of mma. I have the feeling that hes the pioneer of something new and good. MMA might not be the best place for him but jiu jitsu and wrestling events for disabled people might be common place in the future because of how much press Kyle has got. We can all try to understand what kind of heart this guy has but the more i think about his situation the more i think hes beyond human.
Overall i believe his fight was good for the sport. It has its negatives too like, hard to watch him get beat, some uneducated might think its just a freakshow and the wrong promoter could really hurt him. The good that i see is that people got to see an intelligent, dedicated, good hearted person whos earned things the hard way and has a huge love of the sport. Sheltered people were able to see that mma isnt all just tattooed brawlers, its a legitimate safe and structured sport that deserves national support.
Big Rig
Kyle is inspiring BUT he has no grip for anything,and no hands to punch, he shouldnt be fighting IMO
i didnt like seeing the vid of his fight becaude i thought it was silly but huge props to Kyle for sure.
Maximum Fighting - I am 100 % against Kyle fighting. At the same time I find him inspiring, courageous and fearless. He can’t defend himself properly. I watched a ton of footage on him before commenting on this. I think the promoter of the event should get a smack in the mouth and for how hard the number of us that work in and around this sport for many, many years this could have ended up real bad. This is the greatest sport in the world but at the same time we are still on thin ice on the grand scheme of were professional sports are. I wish Kyle the best of luck in his life but he should never be able to fight in MMA again. -Mark Pavelich
yea i totally agree here what if his opponent threw a giant head kick!!!! he would have been out cold doing the chiken!!! lets be honest here the guy has balls no doubt but he cant compete with able bodied people in this sport!!! let hiom fight guys with disabilities aswell! not guys with limbs!! sorry but it is true
Unfortunately I agree that Kyle being allowed to fight against a non-physically challenged fighter corrodes the integrity of the sport.I'm most definitely am not in favour of him competing unless it is against another physically challenged competitor.
There were no head kicks or knees. He is, at all times, a downed opponent. Which isn't a rule change, just a reflection of the physical realities of what parts of his body are touching the floor.
I have a question....so we don't want to discriminate based on his physical challenges and I understand that ..but....what if he was mentally challenged instead of physical challenged? Would that be alright?
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Great questions and points guys.
Here's the video of the fight.
http://topmmanews.com/2009/04/27/top-mma-video-kyle-maynards-mma-debut/
Maximum Fighting -
I am 100 % against Kyle fighting. At the same time I find him inspiring, courageous and fearless. He can’t defend himself properly. I watched a ton of footage on him before commenting on this. I think the promoter of the event should get a smack in the mouth and for how hard the number of us that work in and around this sport for many, many years this could have ended up real bad. This is the greatest sport in the world but at the same time we are still on thin ice on the grand scheme of were professional sports are. I wish Kyle the best of luck in his life but he should never be able to fight in MMA again.
-Mark Pavelich
good post and I argee
Marc-Andre -I have a problem with him fighting as well.
I'm not a fan of anybody saying who should or shouldn't do something in this world, as it's been proven time and time again that there is nothing impossible, but seriously does anybody else have a problem with this?
Doesnt the fact that he cant punch take away from it being MMA?
I mean, people can live their lives however they want IMO, providing they arent hurting anyone.
And yes its somewhat inspirational.
But for christ sakes, he could nt even wear gloves because they were sliping off his stubs.
Like for real, he cant punch or throw a kick.
Like I said I respect him, but I dont want to watch a freakshow, which is exactly what this is!
And also, respect to his opponant because it was definitely a lose lose situation for him!
SlipperySlope - I find the majority of people are commenting that he should not compete. I have no problem with that opinion if you are involved in some way with MMA because you have to see this as an exploitation of the sport (which it was as they were trying to sell ppv's for 15$ - thank god only selling 100) - but when someone does not train and/or not involved in mma other than watching and internet message boards, I don't think that person should be talking about what someone can or cannot do (ie 95% of sherdoggers).
If someone is capable of understanding the risks associated with MMA, then nobody should stop him from entering the cage or competing in my opinion.
This.
And then it's up to the commission.
Unfortunately for Kyle, convincing a commission will be his biggest challenge. I don't think a commission will license him.
my take (for what it's worth)...
there have been a number of different organizations with different rules throughout the years, all of which were considered "mma" (at least by most people). pancrase with its open palmed strikes, Pride had kicks to the head of a downed opponent, stomps but no elbows, UFC of course allows elbows but no stomps or head kicks to downed opponents. there were also other "special" rules...Pride's 20kg difference in weight rule. and look at the Royce and Sakuraba fight with its unlimited rounds.
in the Maynard fight both sides knew the agreed upon rules going into the fight and still decided to participate. so Kyle couldn't throw punches, how many times did wrestlers wear shoes, eliminating their kicks?
we follow a sport where the objective is to cause enough damage to your opponent that he cannot or will not continue. both fighters stepped into the ring knowing the rules and risks and both left under their own power...soemthing that cannot be said about every able bodied fighter.
My question is how did this guy with no disabillities even take this fight? and accepting the win?
and How would Kyle finish a fight?
WeDgE3941 - I have a question....so we don't want to discriminate based on his physical challenges and I understand that ..but....what if he was mentally challenged instead of physical challenged? Would that be alright?
Good question.
SlipperySlope - I believe the person that faught him though is a piece of shit for keeping him away with jabs and not allowing him to get a take down. Like at least be a man and let him score a take down or two on you and let him control the top for a bit.
I disagree. He had a game plan and stuck to it. That would be like asking Brock Lesnar to stand with Check Kongo because Check has a better stand up game.