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Article: Mixed martial arts is all the rage
- Article from:
- Yakima Herald-Republic
- Article date:
- July 29, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Yakima Herald-Republic. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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By PAT MUIR
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Millions of Americans watched backyard-brawler-turned-pro-
fighter Kimbo Slice bust open James Thompson's cauliflower ear May
31 on primetime television, spilling blood all over the canvas.
Like any movement, the mainstreaming of Mixed Martial Arts has
its landmarks.
That night on CBS, after years of the sport being relegated to
pay-per-view and cable, is one of them. But the closer-to-home
changes in how the sport is viewed really prove its place in the
mainstream.
As recently as six months ago, Matt Hughes would tell people his
Yakima gym, Focus Martial Arts, didn't teach mixed martial arts; he
taught tae kwon do, jiujitsu and karate.
Things have changed ...