Once Decried as 'Human Cockfighting', MMA Wants Olympic Spot

Safety first as mixed martial arts grapples for recognition at Asian Games

With no cage, no elbows and no appetite for blood on the mat, the Asian Games' mixed martial arts competition is not quite the visceral experience of a UFC fight night.

Once decried as ‘human cockfighting’, MMA wants Olympic spot

A sport once banned in much of the United States and famously decried as "human cockfighting" by a high-profile politician is making an...

Games-Safety first as mixed martial arts grapples for recognition at Asian Games

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept 21 : With no cage, no elbows and no appetite for blood on the mat, the Asian Games' mixed martial arts competition is not quite the visceral experience of a UFC fight night.The athletes battle in traditional martial arts uniforms, wear shin guards for protection and dropping knees onto pro

Once decried as 'human cockfighting', MMA wants Olympic spot

Mixed Martial Arts, better known as MMA, is making its Asian Games debut this week in Japan -- a milestone that fighters and organisers hope will one day lead to an even bigger prize. Galastein Tan, director general of the Federation of International Mixed Martial Arts, said being at the Asian Games was "a big step". "As for any sport, the inclusion in the continental games is critical," he told AFP in Nagoya. "Obviously the inclusion means that…

Asian Games MMA puts safety first in recognition push

Asian Games MMA in Nagoya uses an open mat, protective gear and restrictions on elbows and grounded knees as the sport pushes for wider recognition. #boxingmma, #mma, #asiangames, #asiangames2026, #aichinagoya, #flyingeze