The issue with MMA is not the grappling and so forth, because in effect, this is the most skillful part of MMA, it’s the elbowing, ground and pounding on the canvas. This is where the barbaric nature of MMA comes into play. An opponent might already be out, but might sustain two, three, or four further elbows to the head before a referee can step in to stop the fight.

There might be a lower incidence of concussions and so forth in MMA, but there could be far serious injuries down the road.

Boxing is a brutal sport and one only realizes it’s long term effects as a result of the sport being around for so long. MMA is still in it’s infancy and we really do not know the long term effects as of yet!