By MARCUS KABEL, Associated Press Writer

JOPLIN, Mo. - Legislators are seeking to ban mixed martial arts competitions — sometimes called "cage fighting" — among children in Missouri, which appears to be the only state where youth matches are allowed.

The sport is a blend of martial arts styles made popular by cable television's "Ultimate Fighting Championship." Republican state Reps. Bryan Stevenson of Webb City and Steve Hunter of Joplin introduced the measure Monday, days after an Associated Press report about the practice.

"I think it borders on child abuse. I just don't think it's appropriate behavior at all," said Stevenson, adding that he has never attended a youth fight but has seen video clips.

A trainer in mixed martial arts who is trying to organize a national youth league warned that bans will just drive an increasingly popular sport underground.

Nathan Orand, owner of a fighting studio in Tulsa, Okla., whose young students have fought in Missouri, also defended the kids' version as having safety rules and protective gear that make it no more dangerous than more established children's sports such as wrestling.

Stevenson said he believes mixed martial arts is brutal and more dangerous for kids than other sports. He also said he was already alarmed by reports of youth competitions in southwest Missouri before the AP report.

Missouri law allows sanctioning bodies to permit youth fights. It is a misdemeanor in many states for children to participate, while a few states have no regulations.

Stevenson said doctors told him maneuvers used in mixed martial arts can cause permanent damage in children by putting pressure on still-developing joints.

Orand said his startup youth MMA league, called Freestyle Combat League, is adding new safety rules on top of ones already in place to make sure joints and bones aren't damaged.

Youth MMA, as Orand teaches it in Tulsa, requires padded head gear, shin guards, groin protectors and gloves. It also bars elbows and any strikes to the head of an opponent who is on the ground.

For the new league, Orand said he is adding chest and stomach protectors for fighters younger than 14 and a rule allowing referees to stop a match if they see the danger of a joint injury.

He's also taking away the cage, the chain-link fence that typically surrounds the fighting area. Orand and other MMA supporters say the cage is safer for fighters than the ropes of a boxing ring, but Orand said youth matches will be fought only on wrestling mats.

"One of the main concerns I've run into is the fact that it's in a cage. It can look brutal at first glance. In the interests of the youth sport, we're taking it out of the cage," he said.

So you can have youth boxing, wrestling, judo, TKD, MT, JJ, and karate programs and competition, but Gawd forbid you combine them in one event? Stupid.

None of the sports you mentioned involve a 9 year old getting GnPed. There was a video around here of an actual cage match between two kids around that age, and it awful to watch. Not to turn this thread into a rehash of that discussion, but the MMA competitive mentality could easily mess up a kid's psyche (though, the ref should've stopped that fight much earlier, IIRC).

You have to consider the mentality of the American public on this issue. Personally for me, I would let my child be involved ONLY if I am satisfied that all the safety issues are addressed and the referees are also on the same page as everyone on safety. Isn't learning how to fight a part of what we want our kids to know ? Or is this a double standard issue where its ok to spar in MT TKD Wrestling and others where injuries CAN occur and sometimes do but no one raises hell but put the same kids in an MMA setup and all of a sudden this isn't kool ? I think a lot of parents want their kids to " learn " how to defend themselves, get their belts and go about their business but the kids haven't actually learned " how to fight ", hence the Mcdojos in the US of A. Not all fit this category of course , many schools actually want their kids to know how to fight, but the majority is just waste of time and many fall for this . I do think that there should be an age limitation on how young the child can be before being allowed to do MMA and the parents consent and doctor's review on the kid's health should be also mandatory. I suspect MO will ban this youth MMA due to pressure from parents which I understand but they do not have all the facts.

Personally I am against children under 18 competing in MMA (I am also against children playing American football or any sport for that matter in an overly competitive environment). There are too many adults competing in MMA without proper training or an effective combat based skill set. Children need to be children.

Children should be in wrestling and Judo. This way they can learn the basics of a grappling or combat based sport. Then when they are mentally and physically (key word) mature they can make the decision themselves to participate in the sport.

My son is 14 and been doing Judo and wrestling for a few years. Every once in awhile he hits a stage where he grows or a hormone develops and we have to start all over again in refining his techniques. Its not that he forgets it mentally but his body has to reeducate itself on how to use all the new tools that it has at its disposal. This is the norm for most of the children his age. There are always exceptions to that and these are the ones that are demolishing the others in competition because they are developing faster than normal or just have innate talents. I hope one day my son finds success in whatever his heart desires(right now no one including him doesn't know what it is). I also hope that he continues training in MA for the rest of his life and is an active part of the gym. If he ever decides to fight its his decision and not by the pressure that he may feel coming from me. I made him do Judo and wrestling because I knew they would help to develop his character and get in great exercise. He competes but its not to win but to learn and become a better person. I can barely stomach to see one of my guys lose an MMA match I don't know what I would do if I say my son in an MMA match getting beat. When he loses in wrestling and Judo its tears me up.

By properly developing the children with good skills not just physically but mentally they will become better MMA practitioners in their latter years and not burn outs. Remember 18-24 is not your prime years as an adult male but 25-32ish.

Breaking it down into categories ages 8-16ish you develop your skill set in a base combat form. 16-24ish you develop your MMA style and at 25 to whenever you are a professional with a respected skill set and attitude that people can tolerate. Instead of being in a rush to make the next Liddell or Fedor or whatever you make yourself or help develop your child into a worthwhile human being that contributes to society.

While I understand that a children's MMA match is nothing more than a wrestling or Judo match with some strikes thrown into it. I can not condone it for them. They have all their adult lives to pursue the sport of their own volition.

Also the argument that the child asked to do or wants to do it it holds no water. As a parent you are charged with the responsibility of protecting and nurturing your child. The development of that child and the adult they become is a direct result of the environment that they live. I have seen too many good coaches with sons that where good athletes and poor human beings.

I have seen an internationally respected Judo coach break down and cry one day when he saw me and my son at a tournament. He pulled me aside and spoke to me. He had to practically disown his own son because of the type of man he had become because of competitive environment he raised him in. He told me to cherish the time we have together and don't let him become like his son. I knew the son and he was a prick that no one could stand to be around. While I have had problems with my own son he is a respectable considerate child on the verge of become a fine young man.

I for one am against someone telling me what to do. I don't like people interfering in my life or how I raise my child. I will not support nor train children in MMA under the age of 17 nor will I allow any student I have to compete in the sport until they are 18. If given a chance to vote on the issue I will vote, no. Currently we have someone in the state of Louisiana trying to do this and I have spoken my mind on the situation and told him my points against it. He is not changing his stance on the issue and will continue to pursue it. I will continue to oppose it. As a parent I hope people will research the idea and make a very informed decision on the matter.

(though, the ref should've stopped that fight much earlier, IIRC).
Anything not regulated right is stupid. Referencing a thread with out all the information is bad form.

People were pissed because it was unregulated, in a bar, before a group of possibly drunk adults. Most people said, under the right circumstances, it would be no worse than any other youth sport.

Sounds like the aesthetic of the cage is part of the problem.

I recommend replacing the cage with something a bit different. Perhaps a ring of flames.

Sounds like the aesthetic of the cage is part of the problem.

I recommend replacing the cage with something a bit different. Perhaps a ring of flames.

Yup,

That would do it, LOL a ring of flames would create a safer environment and put parents fears to rest.

The " cage " scenario is what the main problem is. Take that out and most people would not even have much to say about youth MMA fights unless the fights are not being safely regulated or the kids participating are way too young.
Age of the youth participants should be mandated and applied across the board. In my humble opinion no younger than 12 should be allowed to fight

Anything not regulated right is stupid. Referencing a thread with out all the information is bad form.

People were pissed because it was unregulated, in a bar, before a group of possibly drunk adults. Most people said, under the right circumstances, it would be no worse than any other youth sport.

True. I suppose I'm saying that getting the circumstances right so that kids benefit is much harder to do.

True. I suppose I'm saying that getting the circumstances right so that kids benefit is much harder to do.
Yes, I can agree with that. Everything about that display rubbed me the wrong way.

My kids have competed in Sport Jiu Jitsu (my oldest won the provincial and Canadian championship for his age and belt) and IMO it's the ideal "mixed" style out there for kids to compete in.

Just make it a ring of stuffed animals.

None of the sports you mentioned involve a 9 year old getting GnPed. There was a video around here of an actual cage match between two kids around that age, and it awful to watch. Not to turn this thread into a rehash of that discussion, but the MMA competitive mentality could easily mess up a kid's psyche (though, the ref should've stopped that fight much earlier, IIRC).

I GnPed my little brother on a damn near daily basis. Every kid who has an older sibling has been on the receiving end of some GnP. It would have been nice if we owned some gloves....
Kids compete in all KINDS of ****. And the kids aren't the ones who get into the competitive BS. It's their damn parents. If your parents are the kind that want you to be a tennis pro, or a soccer phenom, or a concert pianist from the time you can walk then you're gonna end up fucked in the head. Kids see it as a game, just like youth wrestling, just like youth boxing, just like youth TKD.
Competition is GOOD for kids. If you don't believe that then you're some kind of whiny liberal *****. As long as proper precautions are taken , and it sounds like these guys are taking PLENTY of precautions, then there is nothing wrong with two kids who want to get into the ring and see who is better at their sport.
Oh, and I saw worse beatdowns at little league baseball games than the GnP video you're talking about. You ain't seen nothing till you've seen a 10 year old charge the mound with an aluminum bat....

.
Competition is GOOD for kids. If you don't believe that then you're some kind of whiny liberal *****.
From the article: Republican state Reps. Bryan Stevenson of Webb City and Steve Hunter of Joplin introduced the measure Monday, days after an Associated Press report about the practice. (emphasis mine)

It's true. Nothing says whiny liberal ***** like Missouri Republican.

I GnPed my little brother on a damn near daily basis. Every kid who has an older sibling has been on the receiving end of some GnP. It would have been nice if we owned some gloves....
Kids compete in all KINDS of ****. And the kids aren't the ones who get into the competitive BS. It's their damn parents. If your parents are the kind that want you to be a tennis pro, or a soccer phenom, or a concert pianist from the time you can walk then you're gonna end up fucked in the head. Kids see it as a game, just like youth wrestling, just like youth boxing, just like youth TKD.
Competition is GOOD for kids. If you don't believe that then you're some kind of whiny liberal *****. As long as proper precautions are taken , and it sounds like these guys are taking PLENTY of precautions, then there is nothing wrong with two kids who want to get into the ring and see who is better at their sport.
Oh, and I saw worse beatdowns at little league baseball games than the GnP video you're talking about. You ain't seen nothing till you've seen a 10 year old charge the mound with an aluminum bat....

That is something that most parents in Little League baseball and peewee football will want to talk about. Injuries to their kids PLAYING ball. It happens and it will continue to happen. Nature of any contact sport. Proper gear and safety procedures is all you can ask for in these situations. Sportsmanship and safety should be stressed and allow the kids to have fun. Youth MMA could be a fun thing for the kids and a learning experience if the adults allow that to be.

From the article: Republican state Reps. Bryan Stevenson of Webb City and Steve Hunter of Joplin introduced the measure Monday, days after an Associated Press report about the practice. (emphasis mine)

It's true. Nothing says whiny liberal ***** like Missouri Republican.

Even whiny liberal pussies run under the republican banner if it will get them elected... Especially in bible belt states. Clearly those two republicans are just whiny liberal pussies in disguise.