Once Decried as 'Human Cockfighting', MMA Wants Olympic Spot
- Mixed Martial Arts is making its Asian Games debut this week in Nagoya, Japan, marking a milestone that organizers hope will eventually lead to the Olympics.
- To align the sport with Olympic values, the International Mixed Martial Arts federation replaced the traditional caged octagon with an open mat; a fence 'does not really align with Olympic values,' said Galastein Tan, director general of FIMMA.
- Decrying the sport as 'human cockfighting' in the 1990s, US Senator John McCain helped define a perception that organizers are now working to change as they pursue Olympic inclusion.
- Singapore's Teo Hui Hoon, who is guaranteed a silver medal, said the Asian Games debut creates a 'clear pathway' to the Olympics, encouraging teenagers to 'take it seriously.'
- Rival governing bodies FIMMA and the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts are competing for influence, making an Olympic appearance before Brisbane in four years unlikely.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Mixed martial arts bids to make the Olympics sans the wire cage and blood
A modified mixed martial arts version is being showcased at the Asian Games. This sport aims for Olympic inclusion in Brisbane by 2032. Organizers are removing the cage to align with Olympic values and safety. The International Olympic Committee currently finds the sport too violent. Efforts are underway to change perceptions and gain official recognition.
Mixed martial arts — without the wire cage and the blood — bids to mak
Firdaus Atamuratov of Uzbekistan, bottom, competes with Mirzobek Umarov of Tajikistan during their men's modern 60kg mixed martial arts final at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Combat discipline enters a regional sporting event, which could be a step towards possible integration into the Olympic program.
MMA makes its Asian Games debut
A sport once banned in much of the US and famously decried as “human cockfighting” by a high-profile politician is making an ambitious play for the Olympics.Mixed Martial Arts, known as MMA, is making its Asian Games debut this week in Japan — a milestone that fighters and organizers hope leads to b
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
