“IF YOU LOSE AND FIGHT HARD, YOU’LL FIGHT AGAIN!” – MMA AND THE CONCEPT OF SPORT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-8918.108259Keywords:
Sports. Violence. Institutionalization. Sociology.Abstract
The characterization of modern sport lists elements that distinguish it from other bodily practices. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) are often understood as a sportized modality based on changes aimed at regulating and reducing violence. This study analyzed MMA based on what distinguishes it from other sports based on the concept of sportization proposed by Elias and Dunning. The ethnographic methodology employed participant observation in an MMA academy and in fighting events, as well as field diaries and interviews. Three empirical-analytical categories were built to analyze elements of MMA – the “owner of the event,” show rather than victory, and violence as a show – which suggest debates with the notions of victory, institutionalization, belonging and violence. The importance to broaden the concept of sport to understand MMA is underscored.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Movimento adopts the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) for approved and published works. This means that authors:
- keep their copyrights and grant right of first publication to the journal; and
- as long as the authors’ names and Movimento’s initial publication rights are acknowledged, the authors may share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially).
More information at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
