You can dodge a bullet the first time but sooner or later, the next one is going to hit you and strike hard.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has witnessed enormous growth the past 3 years, thanks to increased media coverage on TV and Pay-Per-View.  In fact, ESPN magazine recently had the UFC’s biggest star, Chuck Liddell, on its cover along with very interesting article focusing on him and MMA.  It didn’t take long for other sporting magazines to follow.  Now Sports Illustrated has finally recognized MMA by placing a rising star on their cover (Roger Huerta), along with an in depth article on how the UFC is changing the sporting landscape.

If you’re a fan of MMA, I would definitely recommend reading the article at SI.com.  Titled “The New Main Event”, L. John Wertheim carefully examines, in a very neutral tone, the growth and prominence MMA has experienced.  Overall, he doesn’t exactly praise MMA but doesn’t look down upon it either (unlike most sport writers who can’t live beyond the big four sporting organizations).

My thoughts on the article are very positive as MMA will live and die based on its leadership and direction.  If the sport continues to ignore mistakes made by boxing, viewers will continue to enjoy this phenomenon for a very long time.

To read the entire article, click here.