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Reid wanted to win, course he did, but I think what was more important was getting the respect as a bonafide MMA fighter and that's what he's got now. He was a laughing stock before but now it's a different story, and very well deserved IMO.
MMA is not everyone's cup of tea but I love it, my 12 year old trains (aswell as Karate) and he loves it and I have got to know a lot of people involved in it. It's becoming increasingly popular in the UK and soon maybe your own kids/grandkids will be into it. Yes, it's poses it's dangers, just like boxing does, just like diving does, just like long jump does. Individuals choice at the end of the day *shrugs*
In the lead up to his fight with Tom Watson it seemed just about everyone was writing Alex off as a contender, apart from those who believed in him. I watched the fight and after listening to the hype from Tom thought Alex had no chance even though for some weeks I'd watched what he went through to build up for the fight. The hall was packed with thousands of MMA fans, most of who, and particularly Tom who had no respect for Alex and who he thought wouldn't last the duration were more than surprised that Alex not only lasted the duration but definitely gave Tom a shock as through most bouts Alex led and Tom was a literal bloody mess. The judges gave Tom the fight with a 2 or 3 point lead and judged mainly on one round. I learnt that MMA is much tougher than boxing, the rounds lasts longer also, I thought Alex did great to disprove so many wrong, including Tom who praised him at the end when he realised the match hadn't been anywhere near as easy as he'd kept prediciting.
I'm no expert on it at all, but have followed it for a good few months now and want to learn more. I've just asked the question of difference between MMA and boxing in terms of how hard it is and have been told that MMA uses a lot more body movement and various parts of the body, requires more stamina (for submissions, grapples...etc) so the body as a whole will tire out quicker than that of a boxing match.
I had some real reservations about my son wanting to do it, but at his age, even though he's sparring with teenagers/20 year olds (cos of his height and build) - he is not getting blasted about like we saw on Saturday. You can only professionally fight when you're 16 and even then it's so closely monitored.
As far as I know the rounds are the same length as boxing (3 minutes each in usual bouts)
My son did boxing aswell, but it was in the height of the summer and he got bored. He's got a punching bag though and still smashes that about now and again. But all of these sports are limited contact until the kids get to about 16 (as far as I know). My mum hates the sports he does but my view is he is able to defend himself against not only kids his own age but older kids should the need arise. Could I go and watch him in a fight of a similar kin to what we saw the other night? I would think so, but they'd have to hold me back from getting in the cage and smacking his opponent with my handbag
I only learnt how long the rounds were because the commentator mentioned it - sometimes it seemed longer than 5 minutes to me when all that blood stuff was happening and it looked such a physically tiring sport that I was willing a bell to ring lol. Maybe different levels of the sport depend on the age group or whether professional or not.
Personally I've never understood why some choose as a career any sport that can lead to physical injury, to either inflict it on someone or be willing to accept it. But in real life these days there are certainly advantages to being able to protect yourself. Although I've no skills in any such areas if anyone attacked any of mine I bet I'd suddenly find strength and ability to do everything I could to protect them
I bet you would too! It's an unexplainable emotion when someone hurts or upsets your own isn't it? Not a feeling I like very much
Now all he has to do to earn even more respect, is to leave her.