Change the Variables, Change the Fight

You change the variables, you change the fight. Let's look at the UFC as an example. Back in the day there were only two rules - no eye gouging and no biting (and i think no kicking with shoes on. Everything else was fair game.

There was also no time limit and you moved onto the next round to fight the next winner that same day.

Both the time and multiple fights/day were huge variables to the UFC fight. It was all about stamina. The fights were measured by knock-out or tap out. Nothing else. You could be bashing the guy's head in, drawing blodd, but if for some reason he didn't tap out or wasn't knocked out, the fight never stopped. And as time went on, the guy would punch himself silly and the lactic acid would build until he couldn't punch no more.

Hence the Gracie fighter - it was perfect for this setting. He could rest in the clinch and not take that much punishment. He didn't rely on punches so he wouldn't punch himself out, nor would he be punched either. He could also move onto the next round relatively ok.

Ahh, but then they realized they weren't getting enough money and could not go nationwide, unless more rules were in place. So they added gloves, then no hitting to the back of the head, then a time limit, then rounds, then one fight per night. It allowed for more excitement, allowed for the guys to fight as hard as they could in the limited time, not having to worry as much about saving up gas for the next bout.

We saw, from this, that strikers were able to win the fights again.

Oh how the variables changed the fight.

Then as UFC grew in popularity, so did the competition. Fighters grew into their own styles, what is now called MMA...as opposed to "mixed martial arts". The fighters have become atheletes, taking it to the next level of science, training and nutrition.

And now gone are the purists - even the Gracies aren't on the card. Instead, it's this hybrid blend of thai boxing and "ground game".

It' really interesting to see how the variables change the fight. Add a cement floor. Maybe some tables? How about The element of open space to fight, or no space to fight? How about the psychological aspect? Remove the weight classes and see how fighters adapt to fighting someone faster, smaller, or bigger they they are (oh I forgot to mention that there used to be no weight classes). Weight classes, although may be rationalized as being safer for the fighter, remove the elemental concept of disadvantage and the ability to overcome this with technique, strategy or compensatory physical attributes.

Would be really cool to see. MMA is the measuring stick, it seems, for many martial artists. But the measuring stick is only as good as the conditions it's set in. Change the conditions, change the outcome.

Until then.