The Olympics have been the standard of athletic competition between participating countries for centuries. Between the summer and winter games, it would seem every sport under the sun is contested between the very best various countries have to offer.
Various combat sports have been contested under the Olympic banner, dating as far back as 648 B.C. The first of which was Greek Pankration. Pankration is considered by many to be the birth not only of MMA, but martial arts as a whole. It is a combination of elements found in both boxing and wrestling.
Today Pankration is no longer an Olympic sport, but history tells us it was the beginning of many combat sports to be contested in future Olympic games. Pankration has been revived through the aspirations of modern day mixed martial arts.
Another, more widely known Olympic combat sport would be Wrestling, to be more specific Greco-Roman Wrestling, and Free Style Wrestling. The two share many similarities but differ greatly as far as rules are concerned. Both are contested today in Olympic competition. Some of the most succesful of mixed martial artists use wrestling as their skill base.
Boxing is known to be an Oylmpic sport with nearly as much history as Pankration. The first Olympic boxing is dated as far back as 688 B.C. Boxing is not only an Olympic sport today, but a very lucrative professional sport as well. In MMA a strong stand up game can set up many attacks that prove devastating throughout a fight.
Judo, a relative new comer to the Olympic games was introduced in the year 1932. Judo is thought to be very close in origin if not the basis for creating Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, which so happens to be the root of Brazilian or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Judo is not as well known as say boxing or wrestling but is very exciting to say the least. Both Judo and Jiu-Jitsu permeate the world of MMA.
Moving forward, there is a question that must be asked. What do all of these modern and historical Olympic combat sports have in common? The answer, all of them are heavily relied on in mixed martial arts today as we know it. Some more than others, but they have all been integrated into the modern day sport many have come to love and follow with a passion.
In MMA, the fighters and their trainers hail from every corner of the world. Brazil, Russia, Canada, U.S.A., The Philippines, Japan, the list goes on and on. They all have countrymen fighting or competing in MMA, in some capacity.
Consider this, MMA fighters train as hard if not harder than the standard for most widely accepted sports. They risk everything when they compete. They and their dedication define the word athlete, and many of them are world class. The conditioning and training required to compete is non stop. Even the training itself is dangerous at times.
Now consider this, Archery, Sledding, Badminton, and something called Curling are all Olympic sports. Of course they are skills that require the utmost in dedication and training for a competitor to be considered Olympic quality. Simply put, MMA is a high caliber, extremely competitive, world class sport that surely can compete with the likes of Badminton as far as world competition goes.
The sport of Mixed Martial Arts has historically struggled with legitimacy. Today the sport has become more mainstream and has gained more acceptance. Generally speaking, as far as the major sports go Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, even Boxing, MMA is the red headed step child.
What better way to spread the sport throughout the world than to lobby for it to become an Olympic competition? It would add world wide rules to a game that may vary heavily depending on where the competition is being held. It could be a very strong push to really throw MMA into the conversation as a legitimate sport.
Imagine the changes the sport would undergo. If it were to be made a world wide acceptable Olympic sport, it would force organizations that hold all the strings to cooperate not only with fighters but with eachother to take the sport to the next level. MMA is suffering today because of so many promotions and the differences between them. Money seems to take precidence over absolute superiority through quality of competition. That is a shame to say the least.
The best of competitors are held as property not athletes. Many teams in many sports hold exclusive rights to the athletes that compete for them. Think about the World Baseball Classic, or Olympic Basketball. The athletes may be proffesionals that hail from their specific employers, but they are allowed to compete elsewhere if it is their preference or duty as a citizen in some cases. The same can not be said for many of todays MMA promotions.
Making MMA an Olympic sport would alleviate these issues through sheer necessity to free up the fighters. It would also be a two way street, as getting the fights and the fighters themselves more visibility and recognition on such a large stage would have to bode well for any organization who makes a home for those fighters. No pay per view is going to get your fighters that type of recognition and public visability.
The point is not so much to help any particular organization or group of fighters. The point is more to say simply this, history has shown combat sports to be not only Olympic sports, but at times they were some of the most important competitions depending on the era. Some of the best boxers the world has known were found as Olympic hopefuls. How many phenomenal MMA practitioners are out there that may neve be discovered due to lack of availability or necessity to hone their skills?
So many sports that are directly involved with MMA are already Olympic sports. What a great opportunity it would be for competitors from all over the world, who will never have a chance with the UFC or Affliction because of lack of exposure. Perhaps they might get that chance after showcasing their skills for the world to see. They might just upset some of the world class fighters many have grown to love. Who is to say there is not another Fedor or Silva out there waiting to rise to the top?
The sport has never done so well. The athletes are making more than ever. One might fear that greed may bring the sport to its knees if it is left in the hands of the promoters. Bringing a well planned, well organized, class act version of MMA to the world could change all that. A standard could be set for all that participate in the sport from the trainers and fighters to the businessmen and promoters.
In closing, this argument is not even close to a reality. The leaders of MMA have a lot of work to do as far as truly legitemizing the sport. Perhaps the way to go is not to include todays leaders of MMA in the quest for Olympic acceptance. Perhaps an impartial group should start this push. Maybe the fighters themselves. Creating a fighters union would be a great start, but that is topic for a future article. Keep your eyes peeled for it.
One thing is for sure, MMA in its purist form is quality enough and world class enough to be considered on such a grand scale. The fighters deserve to be recognized as world class if they so choose to compete at the highest level of competition the world has to offer.
To be released from the shackles of PPV and the monopolies we see today, would really give the fans the true heart of MMA, an opportunity to see the best fight the best regardless of who they fight for. They would be fighting for their coutnries and pride, not money. That is MMA at its purist. To see the best compete without the limitations seen today due to contract disputes and being governed through dollars not sense. That would be grand indeed.
Perhaps with a little hope, and a unified voice, and a turn away from the shadiest of practices that are a detriment to the sport, MMA may find its way back to its roots, Oylmpic competition. Surely those who started the tradition of the Olympics so long ago would agree. How about you?
