Ultimate Fighting expands to include kids

Deberg_1990 · 03-27-2008, 02:02 PM

Funny, Apparantly Missouri is the only state in the nation that explicitly allows the youth fights.

Thoughts? I guess its a form of exercise....

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

CARTHAGE, Mo. (AP) - Ultimate fighting was once the sole domain of burly men who beat each other bloody in anything-goes brawls on pay-per-view TV.
But the sport often derided as "human cockfighting" is branching out.

The bare-knuckle fights are now attracting competitors as young as 6 whose parents treat the sport as casually as wrestling, Little League or soccer.

The changes were evident on a recent evening in southwest Missouri, where a team of several young boys and one girl grappled on gym mats in a converted garage.

Two members of the group called the "Garage Boys Fight Crew" touched their thin martial-arts gloves in a flash of sportsmanship before beginning a relentless exchange of sucker punches, body blows and swift kicks.

No blood was shed. And both competitors wore protective gear. But the bout reflected the decidedly younger face of ultimate fighting. The trend alarms medical experts and sports officials who worry that young bodies can't withstand the pounding.

Tommy Bloomer, father of two of the "Garage Boys," doesn't understand the fuss.

"We're not training them for dog fighting," said Bloomer, a 34-year- old construction contractor. "As a parent, I'd much rather have my kids here learning how to defend themselves and getting positive reinforcement than out on the streets."

Bloomer said the sport has evolved since the no-holds-barred days by adding weight classes to better match opponents and banning moves such as strikes to the back of the neck and head, groin kicking and head butting.

Missouri appears to be the only state in the nation that explicitly allows the youth fights. In many states, it is a misdemeanor for children to participate. A few states have no regulations.

Supporters of the sport acknowledge that allowing fights between kids sounds brutal at first. But they insist the competitions have plenty of safety rules.

"It looks violent until you realize this teaches discipline. One of the first rules they learn is that this is not for aggressive behavior outside (the ring)," said Larry Swinehart, a Joplin police officer and father of two boys and the lone girl in the garage group.

The sport, which is also known as mixed martial arts or cage fighting, has already spread far beyond cable television. Last month, CBS became the first of the Big Four television networks to announce a deal to broadcast primetime fights. The fights have attracted such a wide audience, they are threatening to surpass boxing as the nation's most popular pugilistic sport.

Hand-to-hand combat is also popping up on the big screen. The film "Never Back Down," described as "The Karate Kid" for the YouTube generation, has taken in almost $17 million in two weeks at the box office. Another current mixed martial arts movie, "Flash Point," an import from Hong Kong, is in limited release.

Bloomer said the fights are no more dangerous or violent than youth wrestling. He watched as his sons, 11-year-old Skyler and 8-year-old Gage, locked arms and legs and wrestled to the ground with other kids in the garage in Carthage, about 135 miles south of Kansas City.

The 11 boys and one girl on the team range from 6 to 14 years old and are trained by Rudy Lindsey, a youth wrestling coach and a professional mixed martial arts heavyweight.

"The kids learn respect and how to defend themselves. It's no more dangerous than any other sport and probably less so than some," Lindsey said.

Lindsey said the children wear protective headgear, shin guards, groin protection and martial-arts gloves. They fight quick, two-minute bouts. Rules also prohibit any elbow blows and blows to the head when an opponent is on the ground.

"If they get in trouble or get bad grades, I'll hear about it and they can't come to training," he added.

In most states, mixed martial arts is overseen by boxing commissions. In Missouri, the Office of Athletics regulates the professional fights but not the amateur events, which include the youth bouts. For amateurs, the regulation is done by sanctioning bodies that have to register with the athletics office.

The rules are different in Oklahoma, where unauthorized fights are generally a misdemeanor offense. The penalty is a maximum 30 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

Joe Miller, administrator of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission, said youth fights are banned in his state, and he wants it to stay that way.

"There's too much potential for damage to growing joints," he said.

Miller said mixed martial arts uses a lot of arm and leg twisting to force opponents into submission. Those moves, he said, pressure joints in a way not found in sanctioned sports like youth boxing or wrestling.

But Nathan Orand, a martial arts trainer from Tulsa, Okla., said kids are capable of avoiding injuries, especially with watchful referees in the rings. He thinks the sport is bound to grow.

"I can see their point because when you say 'cage fighting,' that right there just sounds like kids shouldn't be doing it," Orand said.

"But you still have all the respect that regular martial arts teach you. And it's really the only true way for youth to be able to defend themselves."

Back in the Carthage garage, Bloomer said parents shouldn't worry about kids becoming aggressive from learning mixed martial arts. He said his older son was picked on by bullies at school repeatedly last year but never fought them, instead reporting the problem to his teachers.

And fighters including his 8-year-old son get along once a bout is over, Bloomer said.

"When they get out of the cage, they go back and play video games together. It doesn't matter who won and who lost. They're still little buddies."

**The Franchise** · 03-27-2008, 02:08 PM

I just read this story.

I don't really know what to think. It equals out to sparring in karate, just with more freedom.

**Tribal Warfare** · 03-27-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Hand-to-hand combat is also popping up on the big screen. The film "Never Back Down," described as "The Karate Kid" for the YouTube generation, has taken in almost $17 million in two weeks at the box office. Another current mixed martial arts movie, "Flash Point," an import from Hong Kong, is in limited release.

Who started laughing when they read this when they compared that POS movie to an 80's classic

raybec 4 · 03-27-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

I just read this story.

I don't really know what to think. It equals out to sparring in karate, just with more freedom.

Exactly millions of parents have let their kids participate in Karate tournaments, boxing or jiu-jitsu what is wrong with combining them? These kids don't stand any more chance of getting hurt (if they are properly trained and supervised) than kids in youth wrestling or Mighty Might football.

Radar Chief · 03-27-2008, 02:49 PM

You’d think if they were this concerned for peoples safety they’d go after boxing first but I guess there just isn’t as much sensationalism there as in a sport that’s comparatively new and not well understood.

Delano · 03-27-2008, 02:51 PM

Can't be as bad as those kids that support their parents and siblings by practicing Muay Thai in Asia.

JohninGpt · 03-27-2008, 02:55 PM

That Dan Shamrock dude ought to be able to knock the snot out of your average eight year old.

**The Franchise** · 03-27-2008, 03:02 PM

On a much lighter note.....

Joe Rogan can finally compete in MMA........and win.

EyePod · 03-27-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

I just read this story.

I don't really know what to think. It equals out to sparring in karate, just with more freedom.

I don't think that kids are allowed to spar until older (probably towards the 14 yrs old side of this spectrum). Plus, sparring is much more regulated.

**Rain Man** · 03-27-2008, 04:04 PM

Where do I sign up? I can fight kids.

eazyb81 · 03-27-2008, 04:16 PM

It's sounds awful on the surface, but assuming there is proper supervision and the kids are wearing adequate protective gear, I don't see how it's any different than kids wrestling, boxing, or in martial arts.

**bogey** · 03-27-2008, 04:43 PM

I am hesitant about this. I visualize a bunch of over the top parents, driving their kids. It's very similar to stage Moms but with physical violence.

Demonpenz · 03-27-2008, 05:18 PM

good, get the young guys some exersize and toughen them up a bit.

Valiant · 03-27-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Who started laughing when they read this when they compared that POS movie to an 80's classic

After watching it, it is the MTV version of the Karate Kid..

Valiant · 03-27-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

After watching it, it is the MTV version of the Karate Kid..

Let me rephrase that.. After streaming it onto my monitor because nothing was on tv..

03-27-2008, 02:02 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Ultimate Fighting expands to include kids Funny, Apparantly Missouri is the only state in the nation that explicitly allows the youth fights. Thoughts? I guess its a form of exercise.... http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1 CARTHAGE, Mo. (AP) - Ultimate fighting was once the sole domain of burly men who beat each other bloody in anything-goes brawls on pay-per-view TV. But the sport often derided as "human cockfighting" is branching out. The bare-knuckle fights are now attracting competitors as young as 6 whose parents treat the sport as casually as wrestling, Little League or soccer. The changes were evident on a recent evening in southwest Missouri, where a team of several young boys and one girl grappled on gym mats in a converted garage. Two members of the group called the "Garage Boys Fight Crew" touched their thin martial-arts gloves in a flash of sportsmanship before beginning a relentless exchange of sucker punches, body blows and swift kicks. No blood was shed. And both competitors wore protective gear. But the bout reflected the decidedly younger face of ultimate fighting. The trend alarms medical experts and sports officials who worry that young bodies can't withstand the pounding. Tommy Bloomer, father of two of the "Garage Boys," doesn't understand the fuss. "We're not training them for dog fighting," said Bloomer, a 34-year- old construction contractor. "As a parent, I'd much rather have my kids here learning how to defend themselves and getting positive reinforcement than out on the streets." Bloomer said the sport has evolved since the no-holds-barred days by adding weight classes to better match opponents and banning moves such as strikes to the back of the neck and head, groin kicking and head butting. Missouri appears to be the only state in the nation that explicitly allows the youth fights. In many states, it is a misdemeanor for children to participate. A few states have no regulations. Supporters of the sport acknowledge that allowing fights between kids sounds brutal at first. But they insist the competitions have plenty of safety rules. "It looks violent until you realize this teaches discipline. One of the first rules they learn is that this is not for aggressive behavior outside (the ring)," said Larry Swinehart, a Joplin police officer and father of two boys and the lone girl in the garage group. The sport, which is also known as mixed martial arts or cage fighting, has already spread far beyond cable television. Last month, CBS became the first of the Big Four television networks to announce a deal to broadcast primetime fights. The fights have attracted such a wide audience, they are threatening to surpass boxing as the nation's most popular pugilistic sport. Hand-to-hand combat is also popping up on the big screen. The film "Never Back Down," described as "The Karate Kid" for the YouTube generation, has taken in almost $17 million in two weeks at the box office. Another current mixed martial arts movie, "Flash Point," an import from Hong Kong, is in limited release. Bloomer said the fights are no more dangerous or violent than youth wrestling. He watched as his sons, 11-year-old Skyler and 8-year-old Gage, locked arms and legs and wrestled to the ground with other kids in the garage in Carthage, about 135 miles south of Kansas City. The 11 boys and one girl on the team range from 6 to 14 years old and are trained by Rudy Lindsey, a youth wrestling coach and a professional mixed martial arts heavyweight. "The kids learn respect and how to defend themselves. It's no more dangerous than any other sport and probably less so than some," Lindsey said. Lindsey said the children wear protective headgear, shin guards, groin protection and martial-arts gloves. They fight quick, two-minute bouts. Rules also prohibit any elbow blows and blows to the head when an opponent is on the ground. "If they get in trouble or get bad grades, I'll hear about it and they can't come to training," he added. In most states, mixed martial arts is overseen by boxing commissions. In Missouri, the Office of Athletics regulates the professional fights but not the amateur events, which include the youth bouts. For amateurs, the regulation is done by sanctioning bodies that have to register with the athletics office. The rules are different in Oklahoma, where unauthorized fights are generally a misdemeanor offense. The penalty is a maximum 30 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Joe Miller, administrator of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission, said youth fights are banned in his state, and he wants it to stay that way. "There's too much potential for damage to growing joints," he said. Miller said mixed martial arts uses a lot of arm and leg twisting to force opponents into submission. Those moves, he said, pressure joints in a way not found in sanctioned sports like youth boxing or wrestling. But Nathan Orand, a martial arts trainer from Tulsa, Okla., said kids are capable of avoiding injuries, especially with watchful referees in the rings. He thinks the sport is bound to grow. "I can see their point because when you say 'cage fighting,' that right there just sounds like kids shouldn't be doing it," Orand said. "But you still have all the respect that regular martial arts teach you. And it's really the only true way for youth to be able to defend themselves." Back in the Carthage garage, Bloomer said parents shouldn't worry about kids becoming aggressive from learning mixed martial arts. He said his older son was picked on by bullies at school repeatedly last year but never fought them, instead reporting the problem to his teachers. And fighters including his 8-year-old son get along once a bout is over, Bloomer said. "When they get out of the cage, they go back and play video games together. It doesn't matter who won and who lost. They're still little buddies."
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03-27-2008, 02:08 PM	#2
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3085047	I just read this story. I don't really know what to think. It equals out to sparring in karate, just with more freedom.
Posts: 92,188

03-27-2008, 02:49 PM	#5
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $5231503	You’d think if they were this concerned for peoples safety they’d go after boxing first but I guess there just isn’t as much sensationalism there as in a sport that’s comparatively new and not well understood.
Posts: 25,234

03-27-2008, 02:51 PM	#6
Delano [b]Supporter[/b] Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A Hypnagogic Landscape Casino cash: $9095015	Can't be as bad as those kids that support their parents and siblings by practicing Muay Thai in Asia. __________________ A million CPilgrims face Mecca. Think of the power behind that fact. All logging in now. And bending. And praying. ChiefsPlanet is the angle at which realities meet. - Don DeLillo
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03-27-2008, 02:55 PM	#7
JohninGpt Dammit Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Busted Stick, IT Casino cash: $5358304	Ultimate Fighting expands to include kids That Dan Shamrock dude ought to be able to knock the snot out of your average eight year old.
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03-27-2008, 03:02 PM	#8
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3085047	On a much lighter note..... Joe Rogan can finally compete in MMA........and win.
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03-27-2008, 04:04 PM	#10
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3298491 VARSITY	Where do I sign up? I can fight kids. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
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03-27-2008, 04:16 PM	#11
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $10004900	It's sounds awful on the surface, but assuming there is proper supervision and the kids are wearing adequate protective gear, I don't see how it's any different than kids wrestling, boxing, or in martial arts.
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03-27-2008, 04:43 PM	#12
bogey Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Casino cash: $10005290	I am hesitant about this. I visualize a bunch of over the top parents, driving their kids. It's very similar to stage Moms but with physical violence.
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03-27-2008, 05:18 PM	#13
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3102136	good, get the young guys some exersize and toughen them up a bit. __________________
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