Ten years ago saw a wave of bloody MMA matches that led to horrible sportsmanship. Nobody questioned that out of every two fights, one would lead to disgruntled competitors talking dirty, swearing, and getting angry outside the ring. Luckily in recent years, Dana White’s UFC has worked to improve sportsmanship inside of the ring.
Unfortunately, this may not be enough to turn the momentous tide of mischievous brats that think they’re already big shots. Local tournaments have had a rise in aggressive competitors, so much so that rude gestures, swearing, and threatening have made their way into some tournaments flyers as grounds for disqualification.
“It’s always been an issue, and it’s always something that we ask our judges to correct if they hear or see unsportsmanlike behavior,” says Jerrod Hintz, a sixth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. “When we run tournaments now, we tell the kids ahead of time ‘look, be nice, or you’re out the instant we see anything foul.’ It’s sad that we need to take this kind of initiative.
Jerrod went on to talk about how now kids, primarily adolescents, will imitate members of the UFC with popular quotes or moves. “Every tournament I’ve held in the last three years, someone has spray-painted our school’s bathroom, and just last year I had to break apart two fights.”
Despite the downward trajectory that many instructors on martial art forums have been expressing, other members say it’ll get better in the future.
UFC members have become better role models, some argue. After fights, competitors embrace to show that the match is over, and no hard feelings are held after the conclusion of the match. More and more members of UFC having strict martial arts backgrounds and as a result the compassionate nature of the arts is beginning to show through.
Throughout forums all over the internet, martial arts instructors are beginning to ask others out there to watch how they talk to their students. Students are very impressionable when it comes to martial arts. Although debated, and I believe they’re correct in thinking so, schools that advocate the competitive nature of martial arts are easy to spot. Their students are more aggressive, less respectful, are more apt to argue with judges, and less apt to shake hands with another competitor before and after matches.
While tournament goers are want to win, always keep in mind that part of the beauty of martial arts is that it is an art meant to increase compassion in our lives. Winning may be important, but being respectful toward others is of the utmost importance.
