Once decried as ‘human cockfighting’, MMA wants Olympic spot

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is stepping up its efforts to join the Olympics. Once known as "human cockfighting," MMA is now making its Asian Games debut in Japan, a significant milestone for the sport. Galastein Tan, director general of the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts, sees this as a major step forward. He told AFP that inclusion in the continental games is crucial, indicating that MMA has a solid governance structure, sufficient athletes, and ready rules.

MMA fans, particularly those of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), note one key difference compared to UFC events. While UFC takes place inside a caged octagon, MMA competitors at the Asian Games engage in fights on a large, open mat. Tan explained that this differs from Olympic traditions, where no fence is involved, as it doesn't align with Olympic values.

The sport's inclusion in the Asian Games is seen as a stepping stone to Olympic recognition. This could inspire a new generation of athletes, as highlighted by Singapore's Teo Hui Hoon, who plans to win at least a silver medal at the Asian Games. She believes the sport's inclusion will significantly grow its talent pool and encourage more young people to take MMA seriously.

The path to Olympic inclusion is not without challenges. One major hurdle is agreeing on a unified set of rules, including allowed moves. Additionally, some perceive MMA as too violent, an issue that needs to be addressed. However, MMA is now mainstream, a far cry from its early days when US Senator John McCain likened it to cockfighting. MMA's growing popularity, driven by the success of UFC, is a major advantage in this endeavor.

Support from key figures like UFC chief Dana White is also beneficial. Despite the obstacles, MMA's promoters are optimistic. They are in talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other relevant stakeholders, aiming to gain recognition either as a medal sport or a demonstration sport. With the support of the IOC or the Los Angeles 2028 Games (LA28), MMA is ready to become a medal sport or make its debut in the Olympics.