Issue 107
November 2013
Gareth A Davies MMA and Boxing Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, London, on MMA’s prospects of inclusion in the Olympics.
Whether you’re for or against mixed martial arts’ inclusion in the Olympic Games in the future – and views on this differ wildly – an insight in to what the sport faces was offered to me recently by Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, head of AIBA, the world governing body for amateur boxing.
In spite of his affiliation with the sweet science, Dr Wu could end up being an influential figure in MMA’s Olympic process. In conversation with him in London, his attitude spelled out both the pluses, and minuses, the sport faces. It comes down, again, to education and understanding.
What started out as a negative discussion ended very positively. I asked him, broadly, first of all, about MMA’s inclusion in the Olympic Games, which most observers would expect to be a watered-down amateur version of the professional sport.
“I think the violence in MMA would frighten many people,” Wu reasoned. “Some countries even prohibit showing it. That’s because of its nature, because there are a lot of damaging injuries, cuts and bleeding. That concern could make it a tough sport to accept (on the Olympic program). This is just my point of view.”
On the surface a fairly negative response, and so it’s worth pointing out at this point that Dr Wu is intent on running and becoming president of the International Olympic Committee in the future. Yet, encouragingly, the conversation changed direction when more detail about MMA was given to him, as far as its development, its changing culture, and safety record.
To his credit – and it’s worth bearing in mind that he was instrumental in bringing women’s boxing in to the Olympics and would accept head guards being removed in some forms of amateur boxing – he listened intently.
He explained exactly what MMA needs to do. “Any of these kinds of new sports need, number one, to study how to become a recognized sport, to explain their sport and the rules, and give that message to the world. Therefore, to understand the process they need to get together with international bodies and commissions.
“This is the first step for any sport. In the Games we already have four martial arts sports – judo, boxing, taekwondo and wrestling. When people ask about MMA, the reaction is that it’s too violent. Perhaps other aspects of the sport need to be shown to bring it to the fore. There might be the need to change the competition rules, find different ways of presenting it, because otherwise you’re only showing the dangerous ways.”
Boxing can appear just as ‘violent’ I pointed out. He countered with the fact it has an established history in the Games, but he did acknowledge, on the other hand, how fast the sport of MMA is growing in popularity. Then one really positive note. “If I become the president of the IOC, I will look into it seriously. It’s the right (of MMA) to apply. Whether accepted or whether they have to wait, we need to look into this.
“I will respect new sports. I know that jiu-jitsu is incredibly popular in Brazil, and that’s why I propose the host city for the Games should consider including one demonstration sport. I also know mixed martial arts is very popular in Asia. I am on the IOC Asian Commission, and I go there twice every year. So I know the situation. If I become president my eyes will be wide open.” Interesting stuff...
FERTITTA’S VISION KNOWS NO BOUNDS
Dana White remains the face of the UFC’s promotional drive, yet Lorenzo Fertitta is planning an exhaustive global template with a group of executives and an empire-building five-year plan. Designed to capture the planet’s attention, the rise of the mobile communications industry and the expanding television networks remain the UFC’s greatest allies.
The UFC currently broadcasts with over 30 TV networks in almost 150 countries, and in 28 languages – a potential viewing reach of 800 million homes.
Fertitta’s ‘eyes on the world’ executives have come from other sports and global brands, and are transferring their skills in to masterminding the UFC’s next push for world domination. Everywhere you look there is growth.
The UFC has been recession-proof, controlling its swelling brand by smartphone, and mobile devices, as well as through television.
Along with a multitude of live events in new and exciting nations, Asia’s first season of The Ultimate Fighter will also come in Hindi – and be made available to 1.2 billion people.
The UFC, at present, generates 40% of its annual $500 million revenue outside the United States. Fertitta predicts within 18 months the overseas revenue could outgrow the United States. Staggering.
