The sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has generically been viewed as an
extremely intense sport that draws many fans through its exciting competition,
plethora of storylines, and an extremely dedicated athlete base; however, the
narrative of MMA is constantly being shaped by incidents or events resulting in
suspensions or controversy. Although most MMA fans praise the highlight KO's
from fights, and the champions' legacies; the fact that there are darker sides
to MMA that happen due to failed drug tests, judges making bad calls,
weight-cutting issues and confrontations with the athletic commissions. The
incidents also show the fine line between professional behaviour versus chaos
and also shows that there are severe repercussions for fighters, whether in or out
of the cage.
The Scandals of PED and Drug Failed Testing in MMA
Performance-enhancing drugs (PED) have been at the centre of many of the
largest controversies in MMA history. Fighters today are facing some of the
most stringent monitoring ever because of partnerships between the USADA,
random testing programs and screenings regulated by the commission. Despite the
rigorous standards, high-profile suspension are continuing to subject MMA to
its most detrimental consequences. When big-name athletes test positive for
illegal substances, the effects extend far beyond a single failed drug test.
Suspensions result in a fighter losing their ranking and place in the title
picture, sponsorships and long-term reputation. Many fans continue to debate
whether creating strict anti-doping policies is an essential measure to protect
the health and safety of the fighters or whether it just provides additional
"drama" in the sport, but the recurring theme in the controversies of
MMA is still that PED scandals are at the forefront of how MMA is perceived and
viewed throughout the world.
The Dangers of Weight-Cutting From Extreme Cuts
A second major controversy surrounding MMA has to do with extreme
weight-cutting practices being used by fighters to achieve correct weight to
participate in a fight. The implementation of "dramatic weight cuts,"
i.e. dehydration, frequent last-minute visits to the hospital due to
dehydration and missed weigh-ins, has all resulted in some fighters receiving
suspensions, fines and late/no-fight stoppages. All of this has resulted in a
growing pressure for the promotions to consider implementing hydration testing
and potential changes to weight-class regulations. Ultimately, every athlete
who stands on the scale to weigh in for a fight faces more than just a missed
weight; they also face the health risks, career momentum and the possibility of
being subject to penalties from athletic commissions.
Judges and referees have made mistakes
too often than necessary. Some of
the more common issues that have been debated across numerous MMA forums are
stoppages that cause an athlete to lose momentum, stoppages that are too late,
and judging criteria that create confusion with the scorecards. A single
referee's decision can impact the career of a fighter in addition to creating
social media outrage and forcing commission reviews of officiating. While
fighters understand that the judging of MMA is a subjective process, a poor
call can still result in a referee being placed under a temporary suspension or
being instructed by the governing commission to undergo re-training. These
instances exemplify the need for there to be uniform judging guidelines along
with greater consistency in the way referees officiate MMA contests.
Referee-related issues are a constant component of MMA history. Whether this is
an early stoppage that results in a fighter unable to achieve a comeback
victory, or a scorecard that was incorrect and resulted in a fighter winning an
important fight; referee issues are simply a part of life in MMA.
MMA to a fighter can be illegal strikes
and/or violations during the
fight. A fighter can also be disqualified from a fight due to many different
illegal actions such as knees to the head of a grounded opponent; eye pokes;
groin strikes; grabbing of the cage; and/or punches that are thrown after the
bell. In some cases, unintentional actions by a fighter will cause the fighter
to be suspended. Some of these incidents will result in extremely high-profile
incidents, with the offending action going viral, creating significant backlash
on social media and resulting in the offending fighter being disciplined by the
relevant governing commission. If a foul has changed the outcome of a
championship fight, the entire incident becomes sensationalized. These violations
remind MMA fans that despite its seemingly brutal appearance, there are
actually strict rules that are enforced for the safety of the fighters.
Additionally, fighters often have trouble distinguishing between being
aggressive and being illegal, since the line between the two can be very fine
at times
Examples of Off-Field Controversies in Mixed Martial Arts
MMA's most controversial off-field incidents are generally the result of
fighting-related altercations that occur behind the scenes. When a fighter has
an argument or physical confrontation with another fighter at a fight event, it
can lead to an immediate suspension/ban, possible criminal charges and also
serve as a catalyst to an ongoing police investigation. There is often
promotional drama surrounding these incidents and the line between marketing
collateral and poor behavior is often blurry. While it is commonplace for MMA
fighters to escalate tensions before a fight to increase their marketability.
In some cases when conflict leads to physical violence, the commission
governing MMA will become involved. These types of incidents are always front
page news and can have a negative effect on how fighters are perceived by fans,
other fighters and organisations. In addition to these types of incidents being
a reminder that MMA is intense, these incidents also remind us that the
intensity and passion continues throughout any fighter's entire career, even
beyond the end of the fight.
Accusations of Match Fixing and Betting-related Issues
In recent years, several investigations have been launched and several
fighters have been suspended due to high-levels of suspicious wagering
behaviour and integrity concerns associated with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). This
trend has become more commonplace due to an increase in sports betting and its
potential to increase scrutiny from not only the promotions and commissions but
also the Las Vegas oddsmakers. When allegations of match fixing, illegal
insider info or an altered result arise, it has the potential to severely
damage the integrity of MMA and jeopardise the competitiveness of the sport.
When betting-related controversy comes to light it will likely result in
immediate suspension of the fighter(s) involved and serious inquiries into the
matter. There will also be increased demand for transparency and regulatory
oversight for the long term viability of MMA.
Enforcement of Athletic Commission Rules and Policies
As Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) continues to grow and develop, athletic
commissions have been at the forefront of developing rules for the sport,
issuing suspensions, and addressing controversies. Athletic commissions are the
governing body of MMA, overseeing everything from referee oversight to drug
testing, and when controversies arise in MMA they have the responsibility to
investigate the incident, hand down punishment and protect the integrity of
MMA. The suspension system is used as an educational tool to help fighters
understand the consequences for violating rule infractions and subsequently deter
future infractions, thus preserving the integrity of the sport. Consistent and
clear enforcement of rules in MMA helps create a foundation for MMA to thrive.
How Suspensions and Controversies Change The Course of a Fighter's
Career
Controversies and suspensions have a profound impact on a fighter's
career. A single fight could completely derail years of progress made in the
sport. The time delay from suspending a fighter from competing can leave them
behind the championship competition, their rankings slip down, and momentum
stops. Some fighters can rebuild their careers following a scandal, while
others cannot. Additionally, the controversies affect promotions because they
disrupt fight cards, shift title fights, and draw emotional reactions from fans
based on the upheaval. MMA is unique in that every moment is critical and one
single suspension may determine the fighter's climb to glory or a fall from
grace.
The conclusion is a metaphorical description of the current situation,
which describes how fighters are under an enormous amount of pressure
(physical, emotional, and financial) throughout their careers. Fighters'
decisions affect them tremendously. Factors such as drug testing failures,
weight-cutting injuries, adjudicating problems, and problems backstage will
affect the evolution of MMA toward more structured rules and transparency for
fans as it becomes more widespread internationally. Because of the growth of
MMA, as well as the increased scrutiny of fighter behaviours and the manner in
which officials and regulatory bodies enforce regulations/penalties,
controversies surrounding fights continue to generate excitement for fans and
show that MMA is just beginning to develop and develop within the context of
developing fighters and developing the rules, regulations and responsibilities
necessary for the further growth of mixed martial arts.