Here's my little killer!!!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h157Gjj6cQU

There is an enormous difference between the "sport" and the tradition of martial arts. MMA focuses on the sport part, where safety and guidance are primary. I do have a problem with the moniker "MMA," because the martial arts were developed for DEFENSE and fighting to avoid a fight. MMA uses moves from martial arts, but does not generate from the spirit of thousands of years of humility and honor. Any one of the tradional disciplines will achieve the goal of being able to defend yourself if you are patient enough to focus on it. But if you are looking for a sport, then choose wisely and stay safe.

Okay, a woman's perspective. I am his wife (One of the men in the video) and this is my view. Not many kids in this area have the opportunities that kids in larger cities have. This is a positive outlet for these kids. They can come to the gym and funnel their energy into something that has positive reinforcement versus a school yard fight. Another option is doing drugs and having sex. Programs like this keep kids off the street. It teaches kids respect and values. These kids are some of the most respectful kids I know. They are trained in a very loving environment by men with professional knowledge of the sport that have the kids best interests at heart.

To whatever comment that was above me: Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two unarmed persons, in which each wrestler strives to get an advantage over or control of their opponent. Physical techniques which embody the style of wrestling are clinching, holding, locking, and leverage. Yeah I googled that. I don't see why you think wrestling would in no way "harm the joints" of your kids. Accidents happen doing rollerblading for christ's sake my brother's bone at 13 came clear out of his wrist because he fell.... and here is everyone concerned about joints and trying to justify how different MMA is from other sports: karate, WRESTLING, football.?? Does not every sport come with its own risks? Do your joints not get used daily, let alone in physical activities that involve running, jumping, kicking? All sports imaginable must require joint movement. I suppose while we're bashing mixed martial arts, parents who allow their kids to compete in any sport the KIDS choose, (I must stress that, because I would never force a sport on my child) are just "irresponsible" and "must not be very good parents" because they want to "watch their kids beat the BLEEP out of each other." thank you fox sports I can bleep my own words.

phil I take MAJOR offense to your post. I have two children, one who decided he wanted to try out Karate and one who doesn't. I have one boy that has Autism and one boy with ADHD and I devote my life to them. Nearly everything I do revolves around them one way or another, and my husband is Active Duty Navy so more often than not I am doing it myself.
It is very narrow-minded and rude to make the assessment you just did. My son does Karate BY CHOICE and he knows the second he gets caught using it outside of class he is DONE. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I will do whatever I can to keep him from having to take medication to control his ADHD and so far Karate has done a great job of helping with that and he has NEVER used it outside of class except to practice with my husband who also takes several forms of Martial Arts. That is as stupid as saying parents who put their kids in baseball, football, wrestling etc etc are shirking responsibility. Like it or not Karate is also a SPORT and it just so happens that is the SPORT in which he chooses to participate.
If by taking my boys to and from speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy twice a week, working at home on speech and socializations kills, our weekly trips to the aquarium, zoo, and the park, the seaon passes to Busch Gardens/Water Country we bought because my kids enjoy being there so much, camping in the summer, going to to beach and the YMCA, going on picnics...and if all that stuff means I am shirking my responsibility as a parent well then so be it. Shame on me for doing things together with my kids