Mixed martial arts is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, but Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White has outdone himself with his latest goal: He wants to make it an Olympic sport.
"That's always been my goal, and it will happen," White said. "It will be awesome. I know there have been talks, but no one has approached me."
I admire White for thinking big, but I seriously doubt this will happen. Mixed martial arts still has a long way to go before it's accepted as a legitimate sport everywhere, and the International Olympic Committee is fairly conservative with its approach to adding sports. Add to that the fact that the Olympics already have wrestling, judo, taekwondo and boxing, and it's an extreme long shot that the IOC will add MMA. it would be cool, though.
Hat tip: UFCMania.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-30-2007 @ 11:03AM
enrico said...
I'd much rather see skateboarding, which you laughed at being in, than this stupid mixed martial arts crap.
Reply
7-01-2007 @ 9:55AM
Eirik said...
Hey Enrico I'll make you a deal... you come train & spar with me for the day in an MMA gym, & I will go skateboard with you for the day. Post me back when your ready!
Eirik
Reply
7-01-2007 @ 12:39PM
Mike McNamara said...
The problem with adding MMA into the Olympics is not that it's not a legitimate sport,which it is, but that the Olympic program is getting overloaded. They recently dropped Softball after, I believe, 2008, and are trying to streamline other sports programs. Saying that, however, they did add ballrom dancing (Ballroom dancing!!!!).
Reply
7-01-2007 @ 12:43PM
Mike McNamara said...
The problem with adding MMA into the Olympics is not whether it is a legitimate sport, which it is, but that the Olympic Committee is looking to streamline the program by eliminating sports, such as softball, which will not be held after 2008. They are also looking to eliminate numerous track and field sports, also. Saying that, however, they did add Ballroom dancing to the program (Ballroom dancing????).
Reply
7-01-2007 @ 4:51PM
woo9115 said...
Cool but unlikely. MMA is a multiple discipline art and you cant't have that in the Olympics. Everyone competes in a specific skill at one time. MMA is like streetball, the guys in the streetball competitions look good but they can't compete in the NBA because in the NBA there are specific rules. You can't double dribbling, self pass to yourself, tranvel, you get the idea. MMA is just that Mixed Martial Arts. Olympic Judo, Wresting, and Tae Kwon Do are competeions to these specifc discipilnes. MMA will never be in the Olympics because of these reasons...
Reply
7-06-2007 @ 9:00PM
kevin a said...
To respond to woo9115's comment about there being no multi disipline sports in the Olympics, what do you call a Triathlon or Pentathlon? Mixing those martial arts you list isn't easy. As constantly seen in MMA if you are only good in 1 style you will be dominated by an opponent that is more well rounded. To me it deserves to be in over something like Badminton or Ballroom Dancing!! Do you believe the olympians would be proud to find that their heritage led to ballroom dancing and badminton? MMA is much more in line with that legacy of the olympics.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 1:32AM
jj said...
You know what? I think it would be the shit if they could add mma to the olympics. Now i would i actually know when they happen>
Reply
7-23-2007 @ 4:11PM
James Holan said...
Here's a great place for martial arts and supplies. www.blackbeltshop.com and www.taekwondosupplies.com, check it out.
Reply
7-23-2007 @ 4:12PM
James Holan said...
I just came across your blog about martial arts and I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with the information you have posted here. I also have a web site & blog, www.blackbeltshop.com and www.taekwondosupplies.com so I know I'm talking about when I say your site is top-notch
Reply