There Will Be Blood, Right?

Believe it or not, there was a time when the sport of mixed martial arts was actually extreme. But then John McCain hopped on his high horse to rant about the incomprehensible evils of "human cockfighting." And so the game was forced to get legit — backing off its vale...

By S. Pajot

January 21, 2010

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Believe it or not, there was a time when the sport of mixed martial arts was actually extreme. But then John McCain hopped on his high horse to rant about the incomprehensible evils of "human cockfighting." And so the game was forced to get legit — backing off its vale tudo (anything goes) policy, setting up weight classes, and otherwise repackaging itself as an acceptable alternative for the average American audience.

This Saturday, get a glimpse of MMA's newest school when upstart organization Strikeforce brings the big-money battle to the BankAtlantic Center. The fight card includes a welterweight title bout between Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis — not to mention the debuts of ex-NFL star Hershel Walker and former pro wrestler Bobby Lashley.

Will it be as extreme as those old-school human cockfights? No way. But will there be blood? Probably. And if not, you can always buy a UFC 1 DVD from Amazon.
Sat., Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m., 2010

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