MMA as an Olympic event?

Currently, boxing, judo, wrestling and taekwondo are the only hand-to-hand ´combat´ sports competed in during the Olympics.

Given the rise, popularity and nature of MMA, could or would you like to see this as an Olympic event?
(as opposed to controversial events such as golf, soccer, tennis, rugby-sevens, etc)

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration

MMA was one of the oldest Olympic events. The difference then was that they didn't know all the different fighting styles from Asia.

It should be an event in the modern Olympics. They shouldn't restrict it to amateur fighters like boxing. The best fighters from the US, Brazil, or wherever should be allowed to represent their countries in the Olympics. I think the UFC would actually support it. They'd get more exposure and recognition around the world.

 

"In an odd turn of events, a pankration fighter named Arrhichion (Ἀρριχίων) of Phigalia won the pankration competition at the Olympic Games despite being dead. His opponent had locked him in a chokehold and Arrhichion, desperate to loosen it, broke his opponent's toe (some records say his ankle). The opponent nearly passed out from pain and submitted. As the referee raised Arrhichion's hand, it was discovered that he had died from the chokehold. His body was crowned with the olive wreath and returned to Phigaleia as a hero."

Some shit went down back in the day. I had forgotten about this guy.

It's easy to say someone like Anderson Silva or GSP was the greatest of all time. I wish we had videos of these old old school fighters from thousands of years ago.

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mNQx3KPxifQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Someone who hasn't been paying attention to the 2016 Olympics.

 

Not necessary. Maybe somebody should point out to the writer we have footage of MMA only a few decades ago and can compare it to today.

 

That was probably Vale Tudo though?
Health & Safety wouldnt allow it in today´s cotton-wool-surrounded envionment....

 

It's not necessary. It's just fun to think about. Did they know any fighting techniques that were lost and forgotten over the years? I'd love to see what the fights actually looked like.

 

I guess they didn't have doctors watching that closely back then. Not submitting to a choke might mean death.