UFC President Dana White is confident that mixed martial arts (MMA) will one day become an Olympic event, according to an interview with The Oregonian.
Here's a snip from White:
"That's always been my goal, and it will happen. It will be awesome. I know there have been talks, but no one has approached me."
The article mentions that "speculation is increasing about the possibility of [MMA] as an Olympic event."
I'm not sure if that account comes from firsthand knowledge of this situation or it's merely hearsay, but either way it's an incredibly tantalizing prospect.
Japan vs. USA. Brazil vs. Canada. Britain vs. South Korea -- all the possible machinations and international showdowns would be downright insane.
These fighters already fight for pride, but imagine the passion and pitched battles on the world stage fighting for their national colors? I can't ... to be honest.
It's the IFL on serious steroids. Even that analogy doesn't do it much justice.
With wrestling, Judo and other mixed martial arts already an integral part of Olympic competition, adding MMA seems like a logical next step. One that would more than likely do wonders to debunk the widespread misconception of "human cockfighting."
The next summer Olympics are in 2008 in Beijing, China. There's no way MMA will be on display in these games, but maybe 2012 in London, England, isn't so far-fetched.
Bisping fans rejoice.
(Note: Read this entire article if you can -- it has some solid information about PRIDE FC, Fedor Emelianenko and the feud between Sherdog and White.)
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