YourHub Newspaper Arvada Written By Brian (Seraiah) Wood 12/02/2007
As a spiritual individual who practices non-violence, it may seem like a contradiction for me to be preparing for my first MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Fight. However, when one truly analyzes the situation and views it from different perspectives the understanding becomes clear. I consider myself a true Martial Artist and a practitioner of both Taoist and Yoga Meditations. It is this grounded center of focus that I channel my energy from and not that of hurting someone intentionally with harmful intent. The violence of the sport arises from the perspective of the masses in that one sees blood and injuries from time to time. Yet on the flip side one also sees 25-minute fights with not blood or any real damage done to either of the athletes such as in the Jackson-Henderson UFC Fight.
You have both worlds coexisting together in a very old but new sport. The truth is that mixed martial arts has been around for thousands of years and can be traced back to the Spartans of Ancient Greece and powerful lineages of East Indian and Asian Cultures. Only within the last twenty years has it become manifest in our American Culture. MMA has now surpassed Boxing in crowd participation, excitement and overall action. If one truly studies statistics you will see the injury and brain damage numbers in Boxing dwarf that of MMA. Also, the referees are very quick and safe with stopping bouts before any real damage is inflicted.
In the game of MMA you see well-tempered and spiritual fighters such as Randy Couture and George St. Pierre and then you see raw street brawlers with no real skills except they can take a heavy beating and still keep punching. When it comes down to it, MMA is the most real and intense spectacle of human athleticism accompanied by the will to win in the world of sports. Yes, MMA is a sports and it is here to stay reincarnate of ancient ancestors who have practiced these fighting styles for thousands of years.
-Brian Wood (Seraiah)