Will MMA Ever Catch On in USA?

[HungryWolf21]

I just wanted some opinions on this subject. Will MMA competition ever become as big in America as boxing? Personally, I think that it will continue to have trouble unless the format of the competitions here in the U.S. changes. Japan has the right idea as far as having MMA competitions in a boxing type ring. This gives it more of a sporting image than a cage in. A lot of the misconceptions that people here in the U.S. may be slightly swayed by the cage format. They see this and look at it as something very barbaric and brutal. The cage may cause most poeple to conjure up images in their minds of prisons or other unfavorable places. Anyway, that's my two cents. Anyone else have an opinion?

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

It will never be as popular, just think about it

The grappling bores people, they don't get it and never will. So, why did this sport succeed so well in Japan?

In America the whole put a bunch of crazy asses in a cage to fight to the death just sounds so barbaric and thats what the UFC made MMA seem like at first. Now everytime I talk about the UFC, everyone just laughs and says "hah? you like that stuff?" In Japan, they have an interest in Martial Arts and pro-wrestling, and when you combine the two, you get MMA and thats why its popular in Japan and not here

[Shrimp]

I'm starting to think that the only chance mma has in the US is to get MORE barbaric. That is, go back to UFC I rules. Get rid of weight divisions. Yes, that makes it more of a controversial human-cock-fight, but that's exactly what will bring US viewers. UFC IV was the most-watched UFC of all, if my info is correct.

Yes, it will be more controversial than the current "sanitized" rules, but there's no such thing as bad publicity.

This I do know: NOBODY (except a few of us freaks) wants to watch two guys in the guard for 15 minutes.

[sccr06]

With more cards like UFCs XXVIII and XXIX I think it will get more popular. UFC XXX is already slated for Atlantic City again and I don't Nevada is far behind.
I don't think it will ever be as popular as boxing but I think it will definitely be popular enough to pay for good fighters.
I got a couple friends to come to my house and watch the fights and they really enjoyed it. So I think there is hope yet!

[sccr06]

the cage

Also, about the cage...we were talking about that last night during the fight. Maybe a lot of people think it takes away from the idea of the sport as a "sport" but I think it adds to it.

When you look at a boxing ring, that is immediately what enters your mind, "boxing". When you see a cage, you think MMA. or at least I do. Also the cage keeps the fighters from falling out of the ring every 5 minutes like they do in Pride.