Mixed martial arts is one of the most popular sports in the world, and interest in the sport grows exponentially each year. While everyone knows that the athletes are tough competitors trained in multiple styles of fighting, including Muay Thai, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and more, here are a few facts about MMA that you might not know.
MMA fighters are well educated. In fact, about 80 percent of fighters that have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship have college degrees. Even taking into consideration that basketball players and football players earn tons of scholarships for college prior to turning pro, this is still much higher than the national average. Less than 30 percent of Americans have earned a college degree, so MMA fighters are far more educated than most Americans. In fact, both Rorion Gracie and Nick Thompson both have law degrees, Rich Franklin has a Master's degree in education, and Jeff Monson has a Master's degree in Psychology.
The Octagon is one of many things that sets MMA fighting apart from other sporting events. While it is true that some organizations use a hexagon, such as Strikeforce, and others use a regular, circular ring, the octagon and UFC go hand in hand. Some believe it is because a non-circular ring improves one's ability to use different fighting styles, and some have traced the roots of the octagon back to an obscure Chuck Norris movie from 1980, "The Octagon." In the movie, Norris attempts to defeat a rogue band of ninjas that are part of a huge crime syndicate called The Octagon.
Since 2001, Zuffa, LLC, has been the parent company of the UFC. 81% of the UFC is owned by Zuffa which is owned by the Fertitta brothers who named the company after the Italian word for scuffle. Dana White owns 9% of the company and Sheik Tahnoon of Abu Dhabi owns the remaining 10%. What's far more interesting than the division of the company is the fact that company bylaws state that disputes between the two Fertitta brothers will be settled via a Jiu-Jitsu bout. That's certainly an interesting way to settle corporate issues.
Generally speaking, MMA doesn't pay all that well. In fact, there have been many stories of fighters taking their meager winning directly to the emergency room to cover the cost of bodily repairs. So, fighters often have other side careers until they make a decent enough living as a pro fighter. To make ends meet while in school, Georges St-Pierre was a garbage man. Mauricio Rua put his good looks to work as a fashion model before entering the UFC. Chael Sonnen has worked as a real estate agent in addition to fighting. Unfortunately, he recently plead guilty to money laundering in connection with a case of mortgage fraud, so that career hasn't really panned out for him.
We all know the MMA is a tough sport and injuries are common and often serious, but time and time again, MMA is called a deadly sport or the most dangerous sport. In fact, that just isn't the case. Since the first sanctioned events, there have been three deaths, and while these are certainly tragic, statistically during the same approximate 20-year period, many other sports are far deadlier. NASCAR, for example, has seen many horrific accidents, and eight drivers have died since 1992.
MMA fighters are well educated. In fact, about 80 percent of fighters that have competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship have college degrees. Even taking into consideration that basketball players and football players earn tons of scholarships for college prior to turning pro, this is still much higher than the national average. Less than 30 percent of Americans have earned a college degree, so MMA fighters are far more educated than most Americans. In fact, both Rorion Gracie and Nick Thompson both have law degrees, Rich Franklin has a Master's degree in education, and Jeff Monson has a Master's degree in Psychology.
The Octagon is one of many things that sets MMA fighting apart from other sporting events. While it is true that some organizations use a hexagon, such as Strikeforce, and others use a regular, circular ring, the octagon and UFC go hand in hand. Some believe it is because a non-circular ring improves one's ability to use different fighting styles, and some have traced the roots of the octagon back to an obscure Chuck Norris movie from 1980, "The Octagon." In the movie, Norris attempts to defeat a rogue band of ninjas that are part of a huge crime syndicate called The Octagon.
Since 2001, Zuffa, LLC, has been the parent company of the UFC. 81% of the UFC is owned by Zuffa which is owned by the Fertitta brothers who named the company after the Italian word for scuffle. Dana White owns 9% of the company and Sheik Tahnoon of Abu Dhabi owns the remaining 10%. What's far more interesting than the division of the company is the fact that company bylaws state that disputes between the two Fertitta brothers will be settled via a Jiu-Jitsu bout. That's certainly an interesting way to settle corporate issues.
Generally speaking, MMA doesn't pay all that well. In fact, there have been many stories of fighters taking their meager winning directly to the emergency room to cover the cost of bodily repairs. So, fighters often have other side careers until they make a decent enough living as a pro fighter. To make ends meet while in school, Georges St-Pierre was a garbage man. Mauricio Rua put his good looks to work as a fashion model before entering the UFC. Chael Sonnen has worked as a real estate agent in addition to fighting. Unfortunately, he recently plead guilty to money laundering in connection with a case of mortgage fraud, so that career hasn't really panned out for him.
We all know the MMA is a tough sport and injuries are common and often serious, but time and time again, MMA is called a deadly sport or the most dangerous sport. In fact, that just isn't the case. Since the first sanctioned events, there have been three deaths, and while these are certainly tragic, statistically during the same approximate 20-year period, many other sports are far deadlier. NASCAR, for example, has seen many horrific accidents, and eight drivers have died since 1992.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine likes blogging about mixed martial arts advantages. For additional information about a mixed martial arts gym in San Diego or to find muay thai San Diego coaches, please check out The Arena MMA website today.
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