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opinion

Jon Kopaloff

"Why is mixed martial arts a sport?" The question has surfaced again and again, which is surprising, given the facts.

Much of the focus is on the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization, a cash machine whose contests draw millions of fans. But mixed martial arts goes far beyond the UFC. There are professional sanctioning bodies all over the world, including Canada. It is a competition with rules and protections for contestants. Physical capabilities determine success. Someone wins, someone loses.

Combat sports were first formalized internationally in the ancient Olympics. Canadian martial arts trainer Shah Franco, a former karate world champion, notes that even now, "every single component of MMA is individually part of the Olympics" - striking (boxing, tae kwon do), grappling (wrestling) and clinching/throwing (judo). Mixed martial arts unifies them into one supreme combat sport.

It is not as violent and dangerous as its misrepresentative reputation. Although blood and guts make for good television, most matches end in a tap-out, submission or a technical knockout. There is no shame in admitting defeat; professional fighters do it all the time. A 2006 study by Johns Hopkins University concluded that knockout rates are lower than in boxing. "This suggests a reduced risk of traumatic brain injury in MMA competitions when compared to other events involving striking," it said. Several studies have suggested that participation in martial arts enhances self-esteem and reduces violence.

The popularity of mixed martial arts in Canada is no surprise. Canadians are tough. It's part of our identity. Who does the international peacekeeping community want for the most gruelling missions? Canadians are at the top of the list.

Canada is a mecca for mixed martial arts, and we celebrate it unapologetically. We practise and watch martial arts all over the country. There are new gyms opening every week, as parents take their children to classes in MMA, karate, Brazilian jiu jitsu, tae kwon do, judo, aikido, boxing, wrestling and many other martial arts. The Fight Network, born and bred in Canada, is the world's first 24/7 combat sports channel, shown by every major carrier in the country.

Canadians are fighting all over the world. Georges St-Pierre, Carlos Newton, Patrick Côté, David Loiseau and the tremendous fighters from Team Tompkins and Franco/Behring have all achieved fame in North America. And while you may not have heard of Gary (Big Daddy) Goodridge, Antonio Carvalho, Dennis Kang, Justin Bruckman or (The Monkey) Richard Nancoo, they are heroes in Japan, where as many as 90,000 people attend the largest fights.

Many of these and other fighters are extraordinary role models. More than half the professional fighters in the UFC have college educations. I have been around the world cornering pro fights, training, competing, observing and working with fighters across many martial arts. I am constantly impressed by the discipline and hard work of the fighters, trainers, referees and organizers. Each fighter is an entrepreneur; carefully building and managing their careers, image, and personal brands. Away from the crowds, the great fighters of our era also quietly train day after day, and often teach martial arts to young people.

The mixed martial arts community has another worthy attribute: Its fighters are independent and resist oppression.

On Aug. 23, 1966, Muhammad Ali sought conscientious-objector status on religious grounds. He was convicted of draft evasion and stripped of his boxing title. He spoke out against racism in the United States, and was both loved and hated for it. In 1971, nearly five years after his legal battle began, he won a unanimous decision at the U.S. Supreme Court, overturning his draft conviction.

Those intimidated by combat sports hurl disrespect and take weak, inaccurate potshots, just as they once did at Muhammad Ali. But fighters continue the good fight, and the sport of mixed martial arts will continue to grow around the world.

Loudon Owen is chairman of The Fight Network.

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