MMA Evolutionary Science
By Gabe “Kuya” Charboneau
Nature, as a process of selection has proven over and again that given certain environmental factors, the right combination of climate, timing and genetic opportunity coupled with the right organism will produce a progressive perfect storm we know as evolution. And despite being refuted by pseudo religious types, the need for consistent growth and adaptation is an unmistakable and well documented process by which the world decides which species will survive. Nowhere in the modern era is this scientific course of action more evident than the predatory world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Dawn of an Age
Let’s for a brief moment say that we have an MMA time machine set for the early 90’s. The wild landscape that paved the way for our sports early development was a tumultuous and often unrefined display of antiquated techniques, since disproven training methods and one sided affairs. This is not to say that there were less then credible representatives for their particular disciplines rather, in stark contrast to the athletes of today, most of the combatants of that period were blue collar “hobbyists” interspersed with a few genuine articles. Of those we would call genuine however, one irrevocable fact rings true, The Gracie name ruled the wilds with an iron fist. Kick-boxers karateka and wrestlers all fell prey and as the legacy spread, so too did evolutions need to level the playing field, thus the era of ground and pound was born.
Super Predators
With the sport of Mixed Martial arts experiencing a surge in interest, the need to develop a fresh crowd pleasing talent pool of fighters to satisfy the growing number of consumers ensued. Competitors had to be bigger, stronger and meaner than had been known prior and this group, many of them accomplished world class athletes had a newfound realization. Wrestlers were now cross-training on a broader scale and it became apparent that by establishing positional dominance and negating sub attempts they could themselves rain down heavy shots and invariably shut the Brazilian game down. The heavyweight tournament of UFC 14 heralded the arrival of the super predators, Mark Kerr, Kevin Jackson and Mark Coleman who like their Jurassic counterparts a million years prior would establish the longest reign of the sports history but as “show business” refined into sport business we would soon again see a turning of the tides.
Full Circle
Today, mixed martial arts are part and partial of the fabric of modern sports. Today’s modern athletes are well oiled machines built for optimum performance and well rounded to handle any number of situations. No longer competing to prove or disprove combative theory or familial pride, they are personalities each with human interest backstories, celebrities, heroes and far beyond what anyone in the early stages could have conceived. Notably, it is the re-emergence of the striking game streamlined and functional that is proving the newest genetic mutation in the ever changing evolution of the sport. To the delight of boxing enthusiasts the world over one can now witness the staccato rhythm of a slick jab cross combination followed by liver and body shots and even the occasional acrobatic spinning technique. And while all of this is supported by an advanced network of takedown defense interspersed with wrestling and BJJ it is only the latest progression in mans quest to wage war for sport. This begs the question, what next? With each succeeding generation natural selection decides which life forms survive, which fail and which variations in form and function will last the millennia. The next game changing Gracie is out there, waiting to be found. - Kuya
The Super predator.
By Gabe “Kuya” Charboneau
Nature, as a process of selection has proven over and again that given certain environmental factors, the right combination of climate, timing and genetic opportunity coupled with the right organism will produce a progressive perfect storm we know as evolution. And despite being refuted by pseudo religious types, the need for consistent growth and adaptation is an unmistakable and well documented process by which the world decides which species will survive. Nowhere in the modern era is this scientific course of action more evident than the predatory world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Dawn of an Age
Let’s for a brief moment say that we have an MMA time machine set for the early 90’s. The wild landscape that paved the way for our sports early development was a tumultuous and often unrefined display of antiquated techniques, since disproven training methods and one sided affairs. This is not to say that there were less then credible representatives for their particular disciplines rather, in stark contrast to the athletes of today, most of the combatants of that period were blue collar “hobbyists” interspersed with a few genuine articles. Of those we would call genuine however, one irrevocable fact rings true, The Gracie name ruled the wilds with an iron fist. Kick-boxers karateka and wrestlers all fell prey and as the legacy spread, so too did evolutions need to level the playing field, thus the era of ground and pound was born.
Super Predators
With the sport of Mixed Martial arts experiencing a surge in interest, the need to develop a fresh crowd pleasing talent pool of fighters to satisfy the growing number of consumers ensued. Competitors had to be bigger, stronger and meaner than had been known prior and this group, many of them accomplished world class athletes had a newfound realization. Wrestlers were now cross-training on a broader scale and it became apparent that by establishing positional dominance and negating sub attempts they could themselves rain down heavy shots and invariably shut the Brazilian game down. The heavyweight tournament of UFC 14 heralded the arrival of the super predators, Mark Kerr, Kevin Jackson and Mark Coleman who like their Jurassic counterparts a million years prior would establish the longest reign of the sports history but as “show business” refined into sport business we would soon again see a turning of the tides.
Full Circle
Today, mixed martial arts are part and partial of the fabric of modern sports. Today’s modern athletes are well oiled machines built for optimum performance and well rounded to handle any number of situations. No longer competing to prove or disprove combative theory or familial pride, they are personalities each with human interest backstories, celebrities, heroes and far beyond what anyone in the early stages could have conceived. Notably, it is the re-emergence of the striking game streamlined and functional that is proving the newest genetic mutation in the ever changing evolution of the sport. To the delight of boxing enthusiasts the world over one can now witness the staccato rhythm of a slick jab cross combination followed by liver and body shots and even the occasional acrobatic spinning technique. And while all of this is supported by an advanced network of takedown defense interspersed with wrestling and BJJ it is only the latest progression in mans quest to wage war for sport. This begs the question, what next? With each succeeding generation natural selection decides which life forms survive, which fail and which variations in form and function will last the millennia. The next game changing Gracie is out there, waiting to be found. - Kuya
The Super predator.
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