 "Photo: Jason Driggs")
No eye-gouging. No fish-hooking, head-butting, biting or groin attacks of any kind.
The evolution of warriors has not become a bloodless battle, but modern-day gladiators have refined the art of battle. Their bodies are their weapons, an octagonal cage their battlefield.
Mixed martial arts is on the rise worldwide. It is a combination of martial arts that integrates Muay Thai, Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, judo and karate to name a few.
With the brutality of a thug and the sophistication of a chess master, mixed martial artists deliver knees, elbows, fists and feet to all who oppose them.
There is a curious appeal to it that is not going unnoticed.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization is drawing a huge audience to its tournaments, attracting fighters from around the world, and bringing a lot of attention to mixed martial arts.
Ultimate Fighting is available on Pay-Per-View and has nearly sold out its March 3 event at Nationwide Arena.
The faint-hearted might wonder what entices people to such an aggressive sport.
"The physical aspect is great," said Bo Dimly, head instructor and founder of the Martial Arts Alliance in Hilliard.
"Many of these guys, they're losing 20 to 40 pounds in just a few months," Kimly said. "It's amazing how in shape these guys get. You can work out really, really hard. It's good for your mental health, absolutely, and discipline. It's like a chess game. You need to plan ahead, set your opponent for different moves."
In mixed martial arts, the true fight comes from within, said Josh Adams, a student of Kimly's.
"MMA is the apex of total competition. Not only for your body but for your mind," Adams said. "It's all about technical skill, endurance and heart. The toughest bodies may not hang because they're not ready mentally. Your body can take a lot more than your mind."
Sparring with one of these fighters may make one wonder what keeps him coming back.
"Every male on Earth is competitive whether it be at Jeopardy, gaining material possessions, or sports," Adams said. "For me, MMA is the whole gambit. There's no competition that can challenge you as intensely and winning at (it) is the greatest reward you can ever feel."
Evidentially, fans are able to absorb the intensity that comes with a competition. The Ultimate Fighter reality show on Spike TV drew about 2.6 million viewers.
Japan's Pride fighting organization broadcasts its tournaments to about 40 countries and holds the world record for the largest live audience at 91,107.
Bo Kimly will be hosting another Martial Arts Extreme Fighting Challenge at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion on Sat. Jan. 27. Ticket prices range from $20 to $60 and doors open at 7pm.
There are scores of schools throughout Ohio offering training in the art.
Those who might identify it as just a legal blood sport may be in for a rude awakening, said Thomas Zapf, owner and instructor of Cincinnati Mixed Martial Arts.
"You can't just have a knack for taking a punch and now want to step in the cage," Zapf said. "There's an athletic aptitude you need to excel: health, cardio drills, conditioning and stamina... It's not a kill-or-be-killed mentality. We have sanctioning bodies, weight classes, pro versus amateur status, time limits and regulations to help insure the safety of the fighters. Like any sport there's an inherent risk of injury by default but as the sport grows it legitimizes itself through things like UFC."
Zapf is an advocate of mixed martial arts because the discipline, goal-setting and camaraderie are skills that can be applied to life outside the gym. He trains all ages, shapes and sizes of people and finds it to be a safe and productive way to vent aggression that could otherwise be harmful.
"As human beings we're all scared of what we don't understand," Zapf said. "I wish more people would just take a second to get past the knee-jerk reaction to gain more insight, not only with MMA but with life in general."
Dustin Smith can be reached at smith.2933@osu.edu.
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