Ring or Cage

[sccr06]

I was wondering, for those of you who have seen both: what do you think is more appropriate for MMA fights? the boxing ring or a cage?

Personally I prefer the cage.

[gungfuhero]

I like the cage better because it is more of a barrier.

[Evilution]

Definitely the cage. What I don't like is when people grab the cage to pin the fighter against the fence. Then again it sucks when fighters have to restart because they are going outside the ropes, so the cage is more appropriate for MMA I think. But a lot of (uptight)people think a ring is more civilized and acceptable for public viewing.

[HungryWolf21]

I like the ring better, because it gives it more of a sporting aspect. At least in the eyes of the untrained viewer. A lot of people associate the ring with sport (boxing) and the cage with barbaric.

[dan downard]

Depends on what you want out of the sport.The ring is good for a boxer.It is easier to cut off your opponant and keep him in a corner.The octagon was designed for grapplers.It is a very good way of taking away from the boxer.Just ask Rorion.


[Edited by dan downard on 01-16-2001 at 01:29 PM]

[sccr06]

Dan,
That is a good point. I really hadn't thought of that.

I like the cage not only because it keeps fighters from falling out of the ropes but that it gives the sport its own distinctive feel.

Al ot of folks have made the claim about fighters using the chain link to hold on or to pin an opponent but I have to think that that works against them as well. That is one arm that you are not using to fight with, right? Remember the Gurgel/Bohlander fight? Bolander I think, held the fence the entire fight and it pissed everyone off but he was really handicapping himself. Especially with the new judging standards, it is hard to be offensively effective if you are hanging onto the fence with one arm the entire fight.

[curf_grappler]

Rings are just too small to allow enough freedom of movement, and the lack of any barrier to stop a ground fight from falling outside the ropes make it impratical. The ideal would be a large, round cage with the supports outside so you can't pin your opponent's head against them, with holding the fence not allowed. The fence would also be high enough that you couldn't throw your arm over it and hold on. This seems the freest, least biased set up.