Do mixed Martial Arts competitions really compare to Cockfighting from an ethical point of view?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/200709...





I read this today, and I think the comparrison between animals thrown into a pit/cage with no choice but to fight is far from the reality of people training with the purpose and intent to fight.





So from an ethical point of view is Cockfight really an accurate comparison to Mixed Martial Arts bouts, or just a shock tactic aimed at disgusting people to gain public support?

Do mixed Martial Arts competitions really compare to Cockfighting from an ethical point of view?
Unless the humans in the fight are being forced to do it, then there is no comparison.
Reply:no the c*ck has no choice...you can chose as your in control of the situation and if you want to fight that should be your choice. im, more against bull fighting though and not just cause im a Taurus but even if they win there murdered, some are even set on fire alive its sickening


like i said its personal choice, if i want to die why cant i, if i want to smoke why cant i, i know the risks ( this friday will be my week 5 without a ciggy.


its a way for the powers that be to slowly take more and more controll, like banning jungle gyms cause you might fall off, the world is getting to pc and people are becoming soft.


people need to harden up. like vaccines for flu, actuallyu weakens your immune system so when the next strain comes you have more chance of dying than someone who deals with it naturally. its a way to make money, by regulation then banning and criminalisation
Reply:MMA can be stopped...cockfighting is to the death or they kill and eat the loser
Reply:I feel the element of free will of a person choosing to partake in these sports is somewhat greater then that of a cock tossed into a ring...





But hey, if we can ban that, lets ban cricket as it causes trees to get chopped down to make the wickets and so is causing widespread deforestation.
Reply:No.


Martial arts and boxing is with consenting adults or minors with parental permission are making a choice.





Animal fighting is abuse.
Reply:Bit of both and actually there is not much difference. You have a choice to fight? i dont think so, you may choose to start the sport but if you are good and get contracts it is not your "choice" anymore. Death threats happen in real life.





I cant see why people complain about the influence of violence from movies and computer games but this is no problem?????? Something seriously wrong with the logic there
Reply:The BMA have their head in the sand. People will fight NO MATTER WHAT.





So should we make criminals of people - knowing they are going to continue their sport anyway?





Then what? Illegal bouts, have little medical support, black money, unfair decisions, etc.





Shouldn't they be spending their time looking for a cancer-cure, or something?
Reply:Years ago I used to be in a Goju martial arts school and we would often engage in competitions with other schools. The participants clearly had a choice and they were optional for us to join, the grandmasters who ran the schools tried to minimize the possibility of injuries by making sure the participants used the proper padding and equipment to prevent injuries, and had referees present to make sure the participants followed strict rules (i.e. no biting or hitting sensitive areas like knee joints on the body). But this recent "mixed martial arts" fighting fad is something completely different from what I knew. I don't think it should be banned, but there should be a lot more government oversight to ensure that the participants are properly trained, are not being coerced in any way, and know exactly what they are getting into.
Reply:humans choose to fight, animals, it is chosen for them.





RRRRR
Reply:I agree with you. People fighting is the most primal and amncient form of sport, and there are rules (some of the foreign competitions are really dodgy and need sorting out though), and people choose to do it, unlike animals. People stop before anyone gets hurt, unlike with animals.





That comparison is like saying people shouldnt get drunk because force feeding alcohol to animals would be cruel. It is a very dodgy anlogy.