Mixed Martial Arts and the Quest for Legitimacy
The Sport vs. Spectacle Divide
Seiten
2018
McFarland & Co Inc (Verlag)
978-1-4766-7129-1 (ISBN)
McFarland & Co Inc (Verlag)
978-1-4766-7129-1 (ISBN)
Through an exploration of violence, class, gender, race and nationalism, the author of this volume finds that Mixed martial arts (MMA) is both an expression of the positive values of martial arts and a spectacle defined by narcissism, hate and patriarchy. The long-term success of MMA will depend on the ability of promoters and athletes to resist indulging in spectacle at the expense of sport.
Mixed martial arts or MMA is widely regarded as the fastest growing sport. Events fill stadiums around the world and draw vast television audiences, earning strong revenue through pay-per-view at a time when other sports have abandoned it. In 2016, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was bought by the massive talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion. Despite this success, much of the public remains uneasy with the sport, which critics have denounced as "human cockfighting."
Through an exploration of violence, class, gender, race and nationalism, the author finds that MMA is both an expression of the positive values of martial arts and a spectacle defined by narcissism, hate and patriarchy. The long-term success of MMA will depend on the ability of promoters and athletes to resist indulging in spectacle at the expense of sport.
Mixed martial arts or MMA is widely regarded as the fastest growing sport. Events fill stadiums around the world and draw vast television audiences, earning strong revenue through pay-per-view at a time when other sports have abandoned it. In 2016, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was bought by the massive talent agency WME-IMG for $4 billion. Despite this success, much of the public remains uneasy with the sport, which critics have denounced as "human cockfighting."
Through an exploration of violence, class, gender, race and nationalism, the author finds that MMA is both an expression of the positive values of martial arts and a spectacle defined by narcissism, hate and patriarchy. The long-term success of MMA will depend on the ability of promoters and athletes to resist indulging in spectacle at the expense of sport.
Mark S. Williams is a professor of political studies at Vancouver Island University in British Columbia.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. The Aspirations of MMA: Sport and Spectacle
2. National Pride and Prejudice
3. The Rise and Fall of TRT
4. The Spectacle of Violence
5. Feminization, Fighting for Recognition and Octagon “Girls”: Spectacle and Patriarchy
6. The Needle and the Locker Room Bonus
7. “There is no other guy”
8. The Epitome of MMA: The Sport and the Spectacle of Conor McGregor
Conclusion
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
| Erscheinungsdatum | 17.04.2018 |
|---|---|
| Zusatzinfo | notes, bibliography, index |
| Verlagsort | Jefferson, NC |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 152 x 229 mm |
| Gewicht | 249 g |
| Themenwelt | Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Sport ► Kampfsport / Selbstverteidigung |
| ISBN-10 | 1-4766-7129-X / 147667129X |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-4766-7129-1 / 9781476671291 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
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