Does Mixed Martial Arts really exist?

Chael Sonnen says that Mixed Martial Arts does not exist and that "what we do is just fighting". What do you think?

Well, I normally get a kick outa what Cheal says, but this time really is stupidity!

If you look up the three definitions, Fight, Martial, and Art... put them together, your get a pretty good definition of what MMA is.
Sure, it is fighting, but its a Mmixed disapline fighting styles that's happening inside the cage.

But your right Cheal, it is JUST A FIGHT.

Yea, they're just fighters...who happen to practice and utilize a variety of martial arts...Chael, you're wrong pal

Upper (Striking) - Georges uses KyoKushin Karate, Machida uses Shotokan Karate, Bonnar/Anderson Silva/Ben Henderson/Anthony Pettis use Tae Kwon Do, Marcus Davis/Rampage Jackson use boxing, and the majority use Muay Thai Kickboxing

Middle (Grappling, Control, Clinch Work) - Fedor uses Sambo, Dan Henderson/Randy Couture use Greco Roman, Hughes/Sherk/Phil Davis/Brock Lesnar use College Wrestling

Lower (Ground Control/Submission) - Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, or Jake Shields and Eddie Bravo use American Jiu Jitsu without a Gi

Altogether creates a complete martial arts fighting system called... dun dun dun .. MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. You choose what discipline you want for Striking/Control Grappling/Ground Submission. Your Upper, Middle, Lower.

So therefore Chael Sonnen is wrong.

Chael overstepped a bit on this one. He is not a martial artist. That is true. A lot of the fighters in the UFC, and MMA in general, are not martial artists. They study just enough martial arts in various disciplines to get what they need. Some are just brawlers that could care less about the disciplines they take their techniques from. To say that martial arts doesn't exist is a false statement. Chael impulsively went on a rant about something that he doesn't understand. Even though wrestling is one of the most ancient martial arts, it is not perceived in the same respect that most other Asian fighting styles are.

chael is a martial artist. what he did to stan was just art. beautiful

the commie wrote:

chael is a martial artist. what he did to stan was just art. beautiful

Exactly! You can't name one dude who hasn't been trained in a martial art, that could pull off those transitions and that sub. You just can't.

If a guy comes to me and says he isn't a martial artist then he isn't. There is more to being a martial artist than simply knowing the technique.

like what?

the commie wrote:

like what?

Technique is of course a part of it. Also the training of your character through the training of your body. Discipline, restraint and will power are the goals of a true martial artist. Discipline to get into the gym is not where it ends. Having true discipline will bring restraint. That is a quality that nobody can associate with Chael.

Its interesting to note ... Art is in constant development... taking new paths new directions... some of them work some don't but they all add the the body called art.

Martial arts is the same... at some point the mix the hybrid that is modern mma will develop in to a full and complete martial art form in itself .... with its own discipline techniques and training models. Those who subscribe to the new art will be martial artists.

Pugs like Sonnen who take but do not contribute to the art will be forgotten footnotes in the ufc and certainly will not be remembered with the great masters.

When Anderson kicks his ass and he loses in dramatic fashion I for one will be glad to say goodbye to his sorry ass as he leaves mma forever.

Accept Silva is going to lose.

There is so much to rant about in this thread, but its too early. I'll be back.

really? i guess by that definition, we dont have any martial artist in ufc. except machida, maybe. he is the only one that has true discipline and restrained.
respect for your opponent? nobody shows it. even more so, anderson. he is as cocky as they get. humble? not really anybody there either. anderson is the least humble of them all.
chael is a martial artist, no matter what he says. technique wise, he was just as beautiful to watch on the ground as was anderson standing up.
and what does that mean? chael is not going to contribute anything to the art? future FIGHTERS will study his tapes to learn how to grapple properly.

Technically a martial art is pretty much any type or style of fighting.

Just because you don't wear gi's or earn belts ranks doesn't change that. Really this whole issue seems kind of dumb.

I think chael makes a very strong point.....that he has no point!!!

Really? Chael said something stupid that isn't true? Color me shocked!

^^^ This.... heh

There are guys who look at as an art and creativity, fighters the likes of Jon Jones and GSP for instance. Fighters like this put more emphasis into being complete and total fighters who live and breath all that is MMA. The ones who are always looking to improve and give themselve an edge by ever evolving their style.

On the other hand there are guys who could care less about the means as long as the result of the fight is favorable to them, they are still fighters. A good example of this kind of fighter is Kimbo, although a truly poor example of a mixed martial artist; he is a fighter.

I disagree with Chael when he says they're "just fighters" and mixed martial arts does not exist. The truth is they are all fighters, and there may be fighters who know what they know and do what they have to do win; and there are fighters that do everything they can prior to the fight to ensure victory. The more versatility a fighter has the more dangerous he is as a fighter.

Its kind of a ironic statement isn't it, the one thing that gets me is someone can be a mixed martial artist and never fight in there life......