Fight Club Junior: Cage Fighting for Kids
When two dogs are in a cage to fight each other, it’s illegal.
When two children are in a cage to fight each other, it’s part of the fastest growing sport in America: “ultimate fighting.”
Also known as cage fighting or mixed martial arts, ultimate fighting is a no-holds-barred combo of wrestling, boxing, and martial arts that is increasingly popular, often bloody, and usually staged in a cage.
Now, in the sport’s latest spin-off, kids as young as six are brawling in cages, using kicks, body blows, and choke holds in a contest of physical submission.
Unlike adults who engage in ultimate fighting, kids wear padding and head gear. And also unlike adults, kids who cage-fight can only do so with the consent and support of their parents, who say the violent fighting is no more dangerous than wrestling and believe it teaches skills like discipline, respect, responsibility, and control.
“It’s wonderful,” said a Missouri mother who encourages her 10 and 14 year old sons in ultimate fighting. “They build such good character and good friendships, and that’s what you need to further yourself in life.”
But while some applaud, others are appalled. “I have parents who kind of scare me sometimes,” said the owner of a Massachusetts gym where kids train in ultimate fighting. “Moms and dads letting their kids choke them just for practice reasons. The days of Dad throwing a ball with little Billy are over.”
Medical experts are also concerned about the pummeling kids endure in cage fighting, saying it can cause significant injuries to the neck and bones.
There are no standardized laws governing children’s cage fighting matches in the U.S. Massachusetts and Missouri allow youth contests, while other states ban the practice or don’t regulate it at all. “I think it borders on child abuse,” said a Missouri legislator who has introduced a bill to ban ultimate fighting for children in that state.
As a spectator sport, ultimate fighting continues to grow, its ever-larger TV audiences turning cage combat into a mega-millions fight club, with an increasingly younger face. “I daydream during school,” said one 14 year old ultimate fighter, “of me being in the cage with everybody watching me on TV.”
Tell us what you think: Is cage fighting for kids a responsible sport? Should anyone be responsible for regulating it—parents?…the government? Do viewers of ultimate fighting play a role in the sports increasing appeal to children?
Add Comment Share This
Comments
MMA B*****S
10 is not okay 12 yes that’s a good age to start because it gives them an outlet
george | 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
MMA for kids
My 3 yr old trains in Mixed Martial Arts. It’s no different than putting your child in a Karate school. They learn respect for them selves and others, self control and are physicaly active. I think the term “Cage Fighting” is harsh and shouldn’t even be used. I have never seen children “cage fighting”. They may spar or practice with each other in a controlled environment just like they would in traditional martial arts. Like any sport, it’s up to the parents and coaches to make sure what the kids learn is age approiate and safe. We control what our son learns. At his age he is not yet learning chokes and submissions. He enjoys his classes and he love training with his father. I think the sport was given a bad name by uneducated people.
Michelle Hunt | 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
just an opinion from a cagefighter
In Missouri you are not allowed to begin MMA/cage fighting until the age of 18…..you can do every other sport in elementery school,training in MMA is a very healthy thing to do and very good and your body(other than bruises or scrapes) but what child doesnt have bruises and scrapes???
this sport may look brutal and at times can be,but amateur events are very closely sanctioned and safe for all involved….oh and BTW statistically MMA is one of the least dangerous sports,with bass fishing actually ranking #1 with almost 200 deaths per year,there has only ever been 1 recorded death in all of sanctioned MMA events
Michael Malin Jr. | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
A little bit on MMA!
While I’ll have to study up more on the kids version of MMA I do know that the Adult version is what I consider heavily regulated! In or for it to be legal it must be sanctioned by the state Athletic commission!
I believe they have to pass a pre fight physical most likely including a blood test!
The fighters are randomly drug tested. Also the promoter does NOT get to choose the ref’s or judges! They are supplied by the AC and under the control of the AC.
As for letting kids do it,As long as the proper age appropriate safety precautions are followed I’m alright with it! My kids take Judo and it has helped them with Fitness,grades and made them less violent. So since they get those benefits from Judo I don’t see why the same benefits can’t be gotten from MMA providing you have the right kind of instructor!
As for the safety precautions I would like? Head and Chest protection for starters! Under 13 no subs and no elbows to a down opponate! From 13-17 Head and chest gear but allow subs! 17 and up allow pro MMA rules to be followed! On a side note in Judo you ain’t allowed to choke until 13! Armbars you have to be I think 17!
MMA fan in Kentucky! | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
why would you do this
people shouldn’t be doing this to little kids who would grow up and probably beat on their kids and wifes that not a cool thing to be doing
tianna Gabree | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Do the research/ Ever hear of Responsible Venting!
Mixed Martial Arts saved my marriage! My husband alwas needed an outlet for his agression. Therapy only made him more irritable. He is an Amature Fighter now, and is planning to go pro soon. Our marriage is a honeymoon now. My kids are happier, we are happier. It is all about rules and regulations. The old way of ultimate fighting is over. If a pro or amature gets in even a vocal match they can loose everything. So saying that teens would grow up to beat on thier families is uminformed and narrow minded.
Ashley Clark Musgrove | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
totally acceptable
it is just like any other sport, strictly voluntarily if the kid is training or fighting he must want to be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
kevin batiste | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
re
OK now dog fighting dogs dont have a chose they do it for money i mean kids have head gear and stuff like that in football you can get a arm or neck broken
If kids what to fight like in mma they should be let. Now if the kids dose not like it the kids should not fight but some parents do that but they do and so many sport like wrestling
Unknown | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
SO WHAT
where do they do that in NC i want to join
im 13 years old and i wish i could do that
i am a wrestler, boxer, and do submission wrestling and judo
wrestling is worst them mma because its just grappling you can break a bone in fact the it one of the most dangerous sport cheerleding and football mma is lest dangerous and if a kid wants to try it try it
irvin | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Children can do what ever sport they want!
I started mixed martial arts at the age of 18. My only regret is that I didn’t start earlier. I love this sport, and I know a lot of kids who would learn a great deal of respect and understanding of rules if they joined. Its safe and this article shows a biased point of view. Using pads the children very rarely, I cant urge that enough, get hurt. There is no reason for it to be out lawed, children playing football, soccer, lacross, etc. are at just as much risk for injury. The children aren’t being forced to do it and if they enjoy it, it will give them something to do other than be on the streets.
John Oswald | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
« First < 41 42 43 44 45 > Last » (51 pages)