Voted the U.S.’s top sport, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) took the lead over the NHL, NBA, and MLB- combined. MMA fighting is said to be the purest form of competition, originating in multiple countries in unrelated events, all over the world and began “likely before history was recorded,” (http://martialarts.about.com/od/ styles/a/mma.htm).
While the first UFC fight took place in only 1993, the sport is drawing in a large amount of supporters.
“I was watching a rerun season leading up to The Ultimate Fighter and realized it was a true sport, that there are rules,” said Brady Nelson , owner of Arena Rumble and Spokane’s Shock Football. “I flew to Montreal and saw a fight, then I found out friends of mine were really interested and knew all about it.”
If it be rooting for the fighters in the ring, or fighting in the gym: MMA is becoming a large influence on American culture. The benefits of MMA seem to be endless. Fans are finding MMA to be a tool for getting in shape, learn about themselves and MMA can even connect the general population to elite athletes.
“Twenty years ago, fighting was not a sport that applied to all demographics, now it is,” said Nelson. “The Spokane Shock Football football players love it. You are seeing elite athletes like Anderson Silva and George Jones use MMA, all the way to the general public.”
While there are many different types of martial art styles, MMA fighters must know how to handle themselves in stand up fighting and on the ground.
“Try fighting. It is not just going to punch someone in the face. Find an accredited school with structure, someone who has a vested interest in putting you out there,” said James Weed, the owner of Newborn-Cascao Jiu Jitsu.
With the varying MMA types, the goal is the same: to take down an opponent by submission, Tap-Out, Knockout, or by decision from judge
or authority. There is no kicking to the head, eye gouge, pulling of hair, head-butts, or groin strikes and with a constant referee to watch the action the fights are regulated.
“You can’t just be a wrestler. You can’t just be a boxer. You have to have your stand up and your ground, that is your art, that is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,” said Weed.
The steps for joining fights in Spokane are to train at your local gym, build connections with other fighters and trainers that you meet and then get involved in matches and competitions at the local level. While MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world, MMA is not for everyone.
“Fighting isn’t for everyone. This is a blue collar sport, you have to put in your time,” said Samuel Sicilia, a UFC fighter from Spokane who started as a wrestler at Mount Spokane High School. “You can work hard and still get discouraged, but keep going and keep fighting. My wrestling coach taught me a hard work ethic and mental tough- ness, and to not be afraid of hard- ships. You can’t be half hearted. It has to be a lifestyle.”
“I don’t wait for an opening for a knockout, I create it. My mouthpiece says faithful and fearless. I know that I’m here for a purpose bigger than myself,” said Sicilia
“Focus on your fight and not about the outcome,” said Sicilia.
“When you hear the cage lock and your feet on the matt, you know it’s real.” It is a feeling you can’t de- scribe.”
“You really find out who you are in a fight”, said Sicilia. “You have no one to help you, you have to go get it for yourself.”
“The MMA boom is insane. Vegas, where I trained, is the Mecca of MMA, but here in Spokane, it is like people might be even more ob- sessed,” said James Weed, the owner of Newborn-Cascao Jiu Jitsu.
“Our girls class is growing, in the tournament we are going to this weekend we have 4 ladies out of 25 men.”
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a grappling art that taught practitioners how to utilize joint locks and chokeholds to their advantage on the ground.
“These people are my friends. This becomes a team,” said Weed.
“We are looking to find and develop talent, to bring in recruits and have our fighters train with pro caliber athletes,” said Nelson. “There are some guys who end up in fighting and they didn’t play a lot of sports. But at the top of the game it is the best athletes who win. We want to find people with the best athletic ability. Wrestlers dominate MMA. We are looking for more high level and athletic wrestlers who are collegiately decorated.”