Do you think that fight competitions like the UFC are legit sports or just violent spectacles?

Question

My two cents?

I think its a sport because, as with most any other sport, it requires atheletic ability, practiced technique and knowledge.

Answer 1

I compete at the amateur level, and I can tell you that it is most certainly a sport. MMA fighters are some of the hardest working and most fit athletes out there.

The competition is fierce and the techniques that one must learn are numerous. This is a sport of skill as much as brawn.

It is, by its nature, violent. But a simple violent spectacle? It may appear that way to the uninitiated, but that is simply not an accurate assessment. It has less serious injuries than football or boxing. As I said before, it requires extreme skill. Not only is it a sport, it is the worlds fastest growing sport.

For an interesting article on MMA and the Olympics, look here: http://www.extremeprosports.com/MMA/pankration_olympics.html

Answer 2

I guess that's a response depending on who replies. I, and along with many other martial artists I've met will definitly consider UFC a legitimate sport. They train day and night, and are indeed very good fighters. You don't need to have only a single belt around your waist in order to be good at fighting, I've seen Mixed-Martial art practitioners win in sparring against masters of one dedicated art. I don't consider WWE legitimate at all, But olympic wrestling is.

If people train, and actually compete it's a sport.

Answer 3

Totally Legit.

Answer 4

They are both.

It is a legitimate sport.

And it is certainly a very violent spectacle as well.

Why do you feel the comments should be mutually exclusive?

Answer 5

It is a sport.

Golf is not a sport. Neither is cheerleading

Answer 6

Sport
Has some great backing and better players.