In response to comments on NPR...

[ninjastix]

This morning on my way to work I was subject to having to listen to condescending drivel from sports commentary Frank DeFord (possibly DiFord) on the subject of Mixed Martial Arts, which he compared to video game violence for those with a short-lived attention span. Here is my response to the station and to Frank that I have submitted to the station through email:

It is continually disheartening to have to listen to this misinformed stereotyping spewed by people who consistently show they have not done their research on the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

Fact: Eye Gouging and/or Biting have NEVER been allowed in the sport.
Fact: These are sanctioned events (the same bodies that sanctioned boxing)
Fact: The continual concussive shots taken in a boxing match has thus far shown to be MORE dangerous, damaging, and brutal (both short and long term) than cuts (blood loss) inside a MMA ring or cage.

As far as the comments about MMA catering to those of a short attention span, make up your mind Frank. I wasn't aware that 12 rounds of repeated blows to the head and face somehow meant that you are clearly the more attentive and concentrated fan. Or that two fighters consistently circling one another and clinching without performing meant that you have an "enlightened" sense of combative competition.

Many fights end early in MMA due to the high level of talent and skill being displayed by these tremendous multi-lateral athletes. Not because they're designed to.

But imagine this, many fights also end early to protect the fighter from suffering unnecessary damage or injury. The second you are unable to defend yourself the fight is called. If a fighter is cut around or above the eye the fight is called pending the decision of a medical professional on whether or not he/she can continue or could potentially suffer long-term damage. Even being trapped by a submission may cause a fight to be stopped before a fighter has had a chance to submit or escape.

Can boxing say it has the same safeguards in place? Or is the allowance to continually pummel a jarred fighter repeatedly to the head more civil for those with a greater length of attention?

[stevequalude]

That guy diford or whatever sounds like a dumbass ...he reminds me of when my girlfriend took me to church and they had this preacher up there and somehow and the only time i was listening he got on somehow the topic of so much violence and crap on tv so he rambled on for an hour or so and made it to mma and im in mississippi so here is basically what he said yeah yall that mma is garbage our young folks are seeing this eye gouging and hitting in the groin and biting just babbleing bs i just wanted to say get a fucking clue man and do some research about it before you just hate for no reason.. n e way he reminds me of this guy