Im annoyed, yes really annoyed.

Sweden, together with our good friends Cuba and North Korea (as well as Norway and Iceland) are the only countries in the world were pro boxing is outlawed.

But I dont care, I dont like boxing that much (Unless its Frida Wallberg). What I dont like is all the media bullshit about full contact martial arts events, about it being so dangerous for the practitioner (which is bullshit btw, there are more injuries in ice hockey, horseback riding and even frickin tennis).

And now the top EU politicians recommend a Europewide ban of all cage fighting. This basically means that europeans that want to compete or watch events live will have to go to japan, the US or Brazil.

Its not frikkin fair!

Sweden, together with our good friends Cuba and North Korea

north korea? uhm

sux2bu.

I thought euro's liked there EU telling them what to like and think?

Were have you gotten that idea from?

Besides.. I seem to remember reading that the swedes are the most sceptical people in Europe in regards to the European Union.

I could kick your ass, Hubbe.

You know it's true. Bow to your masters!

huhu violence!

there are more injuries in ice hockey, horseback riding and even frickin tennis

By percentage? Obviously there are far fewer participants in boxing and full contact karate.

It's the creeping "political correctness" that is responsible. Their view is all violence should be outlawed...and ridding societies of violent spectator sports is their next step. After that it will be violent TV/movies, maybe eventually books to be targetted for censorship IMO.

Personally I think it is a futile effort. I would expect to see illegal underground matches start to spring up, or at least video/live transmissions from other countries where it is not illegal. I think humans (the males in particular) have naturally aggressive traits and they can't just be legislated away. I think it is better to channel them into controlled situations like sports than leave them to simmer and explode. Ah well, at least we still have our entertainment in the rest of the world.

>By percentage? Obviously there are far fewer participants in boxing and full contact karate.

a dojo i used to go to 3 times a week had over 45 participants at it, each work out concisted of full contact fighting, there are also many other dojo's in my area as well, i don't know if he was talking pro or amature, but there are definetly alot more people practicing full contact karate then there are people playing hockey, can't comment about boxing, i've only done boxing as a workout and never did any real contact fighting

Yes by percentage.

There has been one recorded death in the history of MMA and that was a guy who went and competed in Ukraine because he couldnt get cleared to fight in the states.

"there are definetly alot more people practicing full contact karate then there are people playing hockey"

This isnt really true.. If you look at the whole demographic, truckloads of kids play hockey (this is based on sweden tho) but amongst adults (esp 25-30+), more people either go the gym/weight lifting path or start a martial art, than dedicate themselves to a team-sport.. so on the whole hockey has way more participants here.

Anyway.. Full contact Karate isnt that bad in the eyes of politicians when placed along side MMA and that is what annoys me.. Professional MMA fighters arent thugs off the street, they train just as hard as pro fotballers, boxers, longdistance runners etc.The whole stamp on MMA, partially due to the UFCs early marketing as "as real as it gets", is exaggurated and based on assumptions.. and it pisses me off.

sorry, felt like venting some steam =)

sad euro faces ((((((((