Hello Readers,

Shihan Patry and I recently came back from Montreal after being treated to our first ever UFC fight (thanks Rishaurs!). Though our fighter lost quite badly we had an excellent time and I couldn't help but tell everyone about it. So of course when my mother called, I told her about how exciting it was, how much energy was in the room. I should have known better than to even bring it up with her, her response was "I don't know how you can watch that! It's just two men beating each other senseless, it's disgusting."

I'm not really sure what it is she thinks I do for a living, I think she must have categorized Karate Instructor somewhere around the likes of Gymnastics Coach, or Aerobics Leader (and who am I to set my mother straight on the matter?).

But her comment really got me thinking. Why do I like fighting for sport so much? I'm a very non-violent person, I avoid confrontation as much as possible and I have been in an actual scuffle once (and it certainly wasn't my idea!). I have changed quite a bit in the last 5 or so years, I've gone from being called sweet and shy, to strong willed and determined. But the non-aggressive little mouse is still in there somewhere, so how could I possibly find such glee in something so animalistic and brutal?

 I think (personally) that it is because I know the power, flexibility and intelligence it takes to participate in that sort of sport and the dedication to perfection it takes to win. Combat is the oldest and frankly, most well suited, form of exercise for humans. Thinking back in history it was the warriors who were strong and fast and had the best physic. The intense training that these athletes go through, the mind games they have to play with each other. I think that's what I enjoy so much, not the high action and blood. But the precision and patience, the reaction and finding out who has worked harder off the mat. 

 As a pursuer of the martial arts I consider them very non-violent, knowing that a true martial artist never need raise his fist and that when in a ring both fighters know completely what they signed up for. That, I think, is the difference here. Both men knowingly challenging each other. Knowingly stepping into a possible knock out, just to prove to themselves (or their fans) that they truly are the greatest warrior. Knowing that years of practice, training and study could be washed away by a lucky punch. That takes more courage then the average person could fathom.

 During one of the matches a fight broke out in the crowd not far from where I was sitting, many people found this enthralling. I just found it down right pathetic. There was no equality there, it was only drunken stupidity and over excited fans who fancied themselves fighters (I'll tell you know I bet the one will never try it again).

So that's what I see; dedication, perfection, precision, discipline and courage. That is how I justify my love of regulated fights and my full out disproval for drunken brawling.

 Or maybe I am giving myself too much credit and I just like the violence, who knows? But I am sure of one thing, I can't wait for the next fight!