During the last few months I’ve become a big fan of the Ultimate Fighting Challenge. If you haven’t heard of this, it’s bare handed, full contact fighting with only a few rules. There was four hours of this on last weekend on Spike T.V. These guys are awesome competitors. They have to be skilled in multiple disciplines, i.e. boxing, wrestling, martial arts, etc. They fight through complete exhaustion. And they do this knowing the opponent will hold nothing back while trying to put the major hurt on. One guy was caught in an arm bar and refused to submit. His elbow was ultimately broken. He was still able to win the fight. I’ve seen guys choked to the edge of unconsciousness still battling. I think what appeals to me is how basic and primal this one on one type of match up is. I have a lot of respect for them as athletes.
They are great athletes but they don’t fight bare handed and there are many rules. You’re thinking of the old days.
True…but grappling gloves aren’t exactly padded either…nothing like 16oz or even 12oz gloves, not even close. The padding is primarily there so there’s less chance of cuts, not to soften the impact.
Incidentally, Phoenix New Times just did an article on “Rage in the Cage”, which is a cage fighting event here in Arizona. A dude I train with is actually in the story, but they got the details of his fight wrong.
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/current/news/feature.html
K-1 (kickboxing) and Pride (most submission-oriented) are also shown occasionally on ESPN2.
Let’s get it on!
Sorry, I couldn’t get past the first page. That guy (Sarria) just seemed like too much of a jackass to read about.
The gloves they use (usually 4-6 oz.) are minimally padded and do provide some cushioning but ironically knockout frequency increased. Guys hit harder knowing they’re less likely to break their hands. 
Exactly. From my understanding, the gloves have minimal padding to prevent hand injurys, not reduce damage to the grill.
Sorry, I couldn’t get past the first page. That guy (Sarria) just seemed like too much of a jackass to read about.
I’ve never met Roland in person…but I’ve heard stories around town. He’s…uh…interesting in his viewpoints. I’ll leave it at that.
The gloves they use (usually 4-6 oz.) are minimally padded and do provide some cushioning but ironically knockout frequency increased. Guys hit harder knowing they’re less likely to break their hands.
It all depends on WHERE the 4-6oz are concentrated…some boxing gloves are the same way. But in the end…if you don’t have a ground game, then you’re screwed. Very few pure stand-up guys left…if any.