Wisconsin MMA and the Ring vs. Cage Debate
The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel published this article about the Wisconsin MMA regulations about to go into effect on September 1. Most of the rules seem pretty typical. One that caught my eye, however, is a requirement that matches take place in "enclosed cages" in order to "prevent falls."
Such a regulation would certainly have the approval of Zuffa, which is the parent organization for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). Other organizations including Canada's biggest MMA Promotion, Maximum Fighting Championships, would disagree. MFC issued a press release in June stating: "When not inside the unforgiving walls of a cage, fighters are forced to move and press the action. There’s none of the wedged-into-the-cage ground-and-pound or wall wrestling, there’s more stand-up fighting, more movement, and more overall excitement."
My personal preference is for a cage. I enjoy the additional techniques it brings into play, and I quickly grow frustrated with the re-positioning that is required when fighters get tangled up in the ropes of a ring.
What do you think readers? Is a cage or a ring better for spectators? Which is safer for participants?
