Asia Set for Mixed Martial Arts

"Revolution" (2)

Blood and Illegality?

While boxing has a far longer history, the 'sweet science' has a much poorer safety record, with studies in the Journal of Combative Sport putting the number of ring-related deaths at more than 10 per year worldwide.

The death of Sam Vasquez in 2007, however, is the only fatality from a sanctioned MMA bout in North America, though there have been three other deaths in Mexico, South Korea and Ukraine.

The condition dementia pugilistica, also known as "punch-drunk syndrome", is another health risk for career boxers and is caused by repeated dazing blows to the head, resulting in memory, speech and coordination problems.

Chatri said since MMA fights are shorter (three-five rounds) and much of the action takes place on the mat, the potential for permanent damage to the brain is far less than in boxing, where fighters can be "pounded in the head for 12 rounds".

Boxing and MMA have an uneasy relationship, due in part to their battle for pay-per-view revenues. Japanese people's politeness is famous throughout the world, but morality in Chinese martial arts has another meaning.”

WBC chief Jose Sulaiman told Reuters in a previous interview: "(MMA) is fed to those fans who like aggression, blood and illegality. They are not boxing fans. Boxing fans have class."

Thai Chatri, who trained at the world-renowned Sityodtong muay thai gym growing up and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, pointed to the numerous former Olympians who have switched to MMA as an example of the sport's growth and safety.

"If it was all about violence it would be like two animals fighting. But it's not," he added.

"These are professional athletes who love this stuff, dream about it all day long and give their entire lives just to be able to showcase their abilities."