Mixed Martial Arts: A Controversial New Breed of Sport" In his December 6, 2006 profile in Ultimate Fighting, USA Today writer Marco della Cava states: "Football and baseball They may be American pastimes, but for a high-tech generation weaned on immediacy, such sporadic actions don't compare to the UFC's brief, definitive bursts of violence.'" (Dallas-Based Fight Company Enters the Cage). According to an editorial in Market Wire, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), commonly recognized as cage fighting, is the “fastest growing sports entertainment business in the world” (Dallas-Based Fight Company Enters the Cage). UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), the largest and highly recognizable MMA organization in the world, a dilemma from the past has resurfaced once again. Opponents of mixed martial arts believe that the combat sport is immoral and goes against the principles that are considered part of the "American way of life". The sport has been called “barbaric” and labeled “human cockfighting.” Opponents also question the integrity of the sport, as it requires two opponents to enter a ring or cage with the intention of hurting or injuring each other. Further arguments against the sport are that hitting an opponent on the ground is “un-American.” - John McCain (Silverman). MMA supporters strongly disagree with these accusations. One such advocate, John McCarthy, a UFC referee, points out that fighters in mixed martial arts do not fight to inflict pain on each other, but rather fight for the good of the competition (Inside the UFC). He says fighters he's spoken to about the issue say that "when they fight, it's all about sport, and that it's more about dominance, like a game of che...... middle of paper ...injects , soldiers, doctors, students and family members. They are not savages, barbarians or criminals, nor a group of social deviants and scoundrels as people like John McCain would have the voting public believe. They are simply people who enjoy a competitive sport that is misunderstood and, consequently, feared and hated. Works Cited “Dallas-Based Fight Company Enters the Cage” Editorial Market Wire Accessed September 14, 2007. “History of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.” . Inside the UFC. Episode 12. Narr. Joe Rogano. Dir. Unknown. December 10, 2006. Svinth, Joseph A. “Death in the Spotlight: Manuel Velazquez's Collection of Boxing Fatalities.” Combat sports journal. Access 15 weeks. 2007. .