There has been a long and never-ending debate in mixed martial arts – a Ring or a Cage?

Preference is the key, some prefer the ring and some prefer the “cage” but which is healthiest when it comes’s to viewing, safety, “mainstream/corporate”, and fighter friendly.

Viewing:

There is no question about it for a live viewing audience a ring is much more suitable. The ring producers less obstacles to view through, meaning less posts, less angles, and no fence to have to see through – ropes on the other hand is a lot more manageable to view through. I’ve been to some of the biggest events in the world and some the only way I saw the action of the fight was on the jumbo screens.

Ring 1 – Cage 0

Safety:

I’ve never seen fighters fall out of a cage (not yet at least) and I’ve been to quite a few event’s were fighters have fell out of the ring and this could cause serious injuries to the fighters. On that note I would have to say that a cage is a little bit safer.

Ring 1 – Cage 1

“Mainstream/Corporate”

As big as the sport of MMA is getting, and the amount of coverage and recognition we are receiving some of the bigger corporate company’s have not jumped aboard and in my opinion it’s based on the fact that MMA is thought the be fought only in a cage? And the perception of animals, and chicken fights are used. See ring promotes sport, professional sport and a ring is respected and accepted in mainstream society. I’m guessing this is why you will never hear the word “cage” in an ufc broadcast but will hear “octagon” and “fence” and they always step away from using the word “cage”.

 Ring 2 – Cage 1

Fighter friendly:

A ring causes a lot of stoppages because of fighter’s rolling under the ropes. A ring also promotes stand up exchanges while a “cage” predominately helps wrestlers as they can hold you up against the fence and just lay on top of you. Different fighting styles will be a factor on the preference of fighting in a cage or ring. With that said a fight is a fight no matter the shape of the venue.

The ring win’s a close decision again this is only my opinion.

I am very excited about the MFC’s new custom made ring that will be displayed at the next MFC on July 25th at the River Cree casino.

The MFC has researched some of the biggest con’s of a ring and has customized parts to make the MFC the undisputed champion of ring’s allowing all the pro’s and eliminating all the con’s.

Fixing the con’s

Safety – fighter’s falling out of ring

The MFC ring will consist of 5 ropes with the 5th rope being almost down to the mat, which will also eliminate fighters from rolling under the ropes and causing the ref to stand or move the fight to a different position also eliminating controversial decisions. The ropes will also be made out of railway cable and adjusted so tight that when fighters are against the ropes it will feel like a wall or a “fence” creating better takedowns and/or takedown defense.

The ring will also be 6 feet bigger all the way around on the inside of the rope’s making it 26 feet inside the ropes, which is much bigger then the previous MFC ring. The added size will establish more mat for ground positioning and submission attempts.

The most interesting customization would be the corner pads which go all the way down to the mat eliminating fighters rolling under the posts and they are also three times the size wide which will improve fighter’s clinch work. Fighters who find themselves in the corner will now actually feel like they are in a corner a padded corner of course. This will increase the level in striking in the clinch and better movement and stability for takedowns.

Maintaining the pro’s

Viewing  

Ropes are much easier to see through then “fence” and the MFC ropes are all white almost making an illusion of having no ropes at all which is a plus for live audiences.

Mainstream/Corporate

The MFC prides them selves in having some of the biggest and best corporate partners around and having a ring which symbolizes Athletes and professional sport will continue to grow with sponsorship. Because the “cage” in many eyes promote bad rep (I.e. caged animals, Criminals, Chicken fights) in reality things are usually caged for a reason.

With all the con’s being fixed and keeping around the the positives it looks like the MFC has made their ring a perfect fit for Mixed Martial Arts – and we will see on July 25th if it is the almost perfect fighting environment in every aspect of the sport.

Filler – Matt Miller.