As I look at the evolution of combat sports over the last several years, it is easy to see how far the sport has come. When MMA first started (in the United States) back in the mid 90s, the term that was coined was No Holds Barred (NHB), and everyone was introduced to the world renowned Gracie family and this different martial art known as Brazilian Jiujitsu. Over time America would be introduced to great Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioners, most notably: Royce, Rorion, Renzo, Ralph and Rickson who would take MMA from fringe sport to mainstream martial arts past-time. Royce, in particular, was known for defeating various martial artists in the early days of the UFC. Moreover, he was one of the first UFC champions.

Since the inception of NHB, which would later evolve into MMA, people have talked about how MMA athletes were among the best in the world. Well, the reality is that, MMA athletes, by and large, were not and still are not among the best athletes in the world. For example, when you look at athletes like Royce Gracie in the early days of MMA. He was by no means an exceptionally coordinated, strong or explosive athlete. And there was no way that you could compare the athleticism of the first UFC competitors to the athleticism of the any major sport of the time. Why? Because the talent pool from which the athletes comes was just far too shallow.

Fast foreward 30 yrs and the talent pool for MMA is still pretty shallow when compared to the talent pool for football, basketball, baseball, boxing or wrestling. Starting from the age of 6 years old, kids in the United States can participate in sports activities for football that focus on learning skills and athletic development alongside lots of other children. MMA is still recruiting kids from other sports and moreover, athleticism isn’t really developed in a lot on MMA schools.

However, as the barriers to entry disappear, a lot of young athletes who would not have been exposed to MMA 30 years ago are learning the basics of combat sports and seeing MMA as a viable career. One example that comes to mind is the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones.

Before Jon Jones came on the scene, everyone who was considered a good wrestler came from a great wrestling pedigree. They either were some type of division 1 wrestler in college or a former olympian. Jon Jones was neither. He was a guy who was super talented and MMA happened to be his calling. Since becoming an MMA fighter, he has performed better than his counterparts who have gone to the olympics for wrestling, judo or whatever.

He is the only real undefeated champion in MMA (one controversial DQ loss that doesn’t really count). Jon Jones is an example of what could be possible if the barriers to entry for MMA were to less obstructive.

With more MMA and BJJ programs coming into existence, actual high level, explosive and coordinated athletes could actually enter the sport. Imagine if Mike Tyson, in his prime had trained MMA. Imagine what a Sugar Ray Leonard or Roberto Duran would look like as an MMA Fighter. Imagine if an explosive phenom like Bo Jackson had put on the 5 oz gloves instead of a football helmet. Makes you wonder, huh?

Right now, MMA is a sport for the relatively affluent, but it is slowly becoming more accessible to those who may not have the money to train at a fancy gym. When more athletically talented kids can get their foot in the door, watch out.

Until next time …

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