A decade ago, unbridled contact sports were not at all popular in the UAE and if pursued at all were done discreetly and in private, involving a small number of people. Now sports such as boxing, kick boxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling and the mixed martial arts have become popular television spectacles, and touring tournaments such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship are attracting substantial live audiences.
The growing following for these contests was reflected in the large number of fans – almost 8,000 of them – who attended the UFC Fight Night at Abu Dhabi’s du Arena on the weekend. Such was its success that the promoter has raised the possibility of launching a Middle East version of the UFC’s television series, The Ultimate Fighter, which is described as a crucial catalyst for the grassroots growth of the sport.
Why are these brutal martial arts so popular? Possibly it’s because a fascination with contests of physical strength is rooted in human nature. Contact sports – from ancient Roman gladiatorial contests to UFC – satisfy our innate desire to see battles fought and won, and to have heroes to applaud. So long as it’s confined to the stadium and played by the rules, it’s healthy escapism.
