Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Rise of Violence with Fighting Sports

The Rise of Violence with Fighting Sports


In my last blog post I talked about sports fans and a small part of why they identify themselves so enthusiastically with certain UFC/MMA athletes. This was mainly about the social connection that’s shared among the people, but there are many more factors that should be recognized. Most fans go to professional sporting events to feel the rush as the last second shot goes up, to escape life for a few hours, or to appreciate the natural beauty of the game. However, in the world of fighting and its spectators, I feel there are more animalistic reasons of attendance involved as well.

Almost as far back as 300 BC gladiators would fight in to the death, renewing the meaning of “going all in” in modern sports terms. The bloodiest source of entertainment available would attract 50,000 spectators at a time, an impressive crowd regardless of what century you’re in. For years movies would portray violence as admirable and manly, but outside of boxing all other forms of real fighting was frowned on and labeled as barbaric. Only years ago was mixed martial arts considered something other than animalistic. Today the UFC is among the fastest growing sports in the world with an octagon full of splattered blood, broken bones and unconscious minds. And we want more!

What I see most addicting in the biggest stages of sports is the drama that’s involved. With so much on the line and athletes willing to sacrifice their bodies for the entertainment of something bigger than themselves, it’s easy to become addicted. The Excitation Transfer Theory notes the physiological arousal for violence dissolves over time, which then requires more violence to stay “entertained”. As we all know nothing gets your heart beating faster than a fight or flight moment. For many, that adrenaline rush is addicting, but the logical thought process saying that extreme amounts of pain is possible during future adrenaline rushes deters many more. Fortunately the process of watching someone else fight for their life inside a cage is equally as exciting and much safer. As this bloody sport continues to grow, so does the availability and attachment of violence for its spectators.


Other theories such as the Social Learning Theory and Script Theory also point out that in the last 20-40 years aggressiveness has been more and more welcomed to society. As the media scripts out that violence is what we are supposed to want in our lives, we accommodate.
History has a way of repeating itself, especially in the sports world.


CLICK to read more about the rise of UFC. 

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