May 12, 2008 11:26 pm US/Eastern
Mixed Martial Arts Controversy Comes To Md.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Mixed Martial Arts is a relatively new sport that's generated controversy around the world since its creation. Now, this sport is about to become legal in Maryland.
CBS
Maryland fighters are about to move from the sidelines to the center ring of a sport that's generated world-wide controversy.
Mixed Martial Arts' rough and tough image has kept it away for years, but Maryland lawmakers are now sold on its cleaned-up attitude. Critics, though, claim we're putting our athletes in a dangerous position.
Kai Jackson takes an inside look at the controversial sport that's coming to Maryland.
Mixed Martial Arts is a relatively new sport that's generated controversy around the world since its creation. Now, this sport is about to become legal in Maryland.
Fifteen years ago, Mixed Martial Arts had a bad boy reputation appearing ruthless and rule-less. Critics even called it human cockfighting.
Dr. Tyler Cymet, the Mid-Atlantic doctor for World Wrestling Entertainment, told
Jackson, "It's a simulated bar fight."
Today, MMA has matured into a sport sanctioned in 33 states and the District of Columbia.
"Everybody that steps into the professional ring, they have been training," says James Binky Jones, a professional Mixed Martial Artist from Baltimore.
The sport crosses multiple disciplines and combines the fast footwork of boxing with the strategy of chess. Fighters train in boxing, kickboxing, muy thai, Brazilian jujitsu, judo and wrestling. Mix all that with an adrenaline rush fighters hunger for, and you have MMA.
"It's a professional street fight. You get to see crafty guys in bad situations make the best out of it," said Baltimore fighter Tenyah Dixon.
But even with its cleaner image and new rules, some experts believe the sport is still too dangerous.
Dr. Tyler Cymet says professional wrestlers' injuries are accidental, while MMA fighters' injuries are inevitable.
"Fifteen percent of the people involved are going to need to get sewn up in the face. Three percent are going to get cut on the body. Three percent are going to suffer concussions. That's 21 percent total that are going to need medical attention," said Cymet.
Even after admitting to his own injures, Dixon, a husband and father, says he doesn't worry being in the ring because he trains hard and smart.
While fighters are in the ring pushing it to the limit, everyone else is seeing dollar signs. Professional fights bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars at the gate. Some even rake in millions.
Once Maryland starts hosting the events, 10 percent of all money collected at the gate goes straight to the state. That's money well spent for most rabid fans.
"It just so happens I'm in the business of violence," said Dixon. "Organized violence."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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