About the book
Mixed martial arts or MMA is widely regarded as the fastest growing sport. Events fill stadiums around the world and draw vast television audiences, earning strong revenue through pay-per-view at a time when other sports have abandoned it. In 2016, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was bought by the massive talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion. Despite this success, much of the public remains uneasy with the sport, which critics have denounced as \"human cockfighting.\" Through an exploration of violence, class, gender, race and nationalism, the author finds that MMA is both an expression of the positive values of martial arts and a spectacle defined by narcissism, hate and patriarchy. The long-term success of MMA will depend on the ability of promoters and athletes to resist indulging in spectacle at the expense of sport.
Editions of Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781476671291
- PDF
- ISBN 9781476630557
Read an Excerpt
Mixed martial arts or MMA is widely regarded as the fastest growing sport. Events fill stadiums around the world and draw vast television audiences, earning strong revenue through pay-per-view at a time when other sports have abandoned it. In 2016, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was bought by the massive talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion. Despite this success, much of the public remains uneasy with the sport, which critics have denounced as \"human cockfighting.\" Through an exploration of violence, class, gender, race and nationalism, the author finds that MMA is both an expression of the positive values of martial arts and a spectacle defined by narcissism, hate and patriarchy. The long-term success of MMA will depend on the ability of promoters and athletes to resist indulging in spectacle at the expense of sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy about?
Mixed martial arts or MMA is widely regarded as the fastest growing sport. Events fill stadiums around the world and draw vast television audiences, earning strong revenue through pay-per-view at a time when other sports have abandoned it. In 2016, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was bought by the massive talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion. Despite this success, much of the public remains uneasy with the sport, which critics have denounced as \"human cockfighting.\" Through an exploration of violence, class, gender, race and nationalism, the author finds that MMA is both an expression of the positive values of martial arts and a spectacle defined by narcissism, hate and patriarchy. The long-term success of MMA will depend on the ability of promoters and athletes to resist indulging in spectacle at the expense of sport.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy?
Sports and Active outdoor recreation > Combat sports and self-defence > Martial arts
Where can I read a sample of Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781476671291
How long is Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy and how many pages does it have?
Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy has 201 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy?
Mark S. Williams
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy is available as paperback(ISBN 9781476671291) and pdf(ISBN 9781476630557)
Where can I buy Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy from below
Where can I buy Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy?