| I know that whenever I write one of these | | | | Van Gogh might. |
| articles on Mixed Martial Arts I am going to get | | | | Now, let's not take it away from the MMA-ers. |
| hate mail, but the truth is the truth, and one can | | | | To say there is no art in the execution of their |
| only hope to rescue the misbegotten. That bit of | | | | technique is silly. But, and this is a big but, it does |
| humor aside, I actually love MMA, especially the | | | | lead to the big and most important difference |
| UFC grudge matches. There is just enough | | | | between the Mixed Martial Arts Masters and the |
| Roman in me to enjoy the circus. | | | | True Art. The difference is that in the true art |
| Now, the main reason such venues as Strike | | | | there is no contest. |
| Force and the venerable Ultimate Fighting | | | | In the true art an opponent is considered on the |
| Championships aren't art is because of a lack of | | | | par of a training aid. The contest is not to beat up |
| control. When Joe Beatemup is mounting Billy | | | | one's fellow man, you see, it is to stifle the desire |
| Mouthpiece and the announcer is praising his | | | | to fight (and therefore have enemies). And that |
| control, take it with a grain of salt. The contest, | | | | brings to mind the old saying, 'To know yourself is |
| you see is real, and the control is pretty shaky at | | | | to know your enemy.' |
| best. | | | | If you are busy beating people up...you are not |
| Real control means that you are controlling the | | | | seeking peace within yourself. And, one can hope |
| other person so well they don't even know it. | | | | that, eventually, the young turks of the gladiatorial |
| There is no wrestle for control (a superior | | | | ring will one day renounce their savagery and |
| position), but rather an actual technique wherein | | | | pursue the true art. They will seek to understand |
| Mr. Victim feels like he is in a whirlwind, and Mr. | | | | their desire to contest with others, and realize |
| Incharge is definitely and surely and without a | | | | that the truth is within themselves. |
| doubt taking the other fellow for a ride. True | | | | Then all of their mighty potential will be turned to |
| control is control without doubt or contest. | | | | beneficial ends. Then their sport will make the |
| This is like the difference between painting a | | | | transformation into art, and the circus will become |
| house and a Van Gogh. Yes, the house painter is | | | | an event of significance. The real joy for this |
| using the same tools, and he may even get a | | | | writer, you see, is when one of the Mixed Martial |
| peaceful and artistic feeling about what he is doing. | | | | Arts fighters has an artistic moment, and the true |
| But he is not controlling the tools of his trade as a | | | | art does shine forth. |