"Blood in the Cage" by L Jon Wertheim-- A Sledgehammer of a Book

"Blood in the Cage", by former Sports Illustrated writer L Jon Wertheim, is a wonderful read about a sport that I have, basically, zero knowledge of. Like a lot of old school sports fans, I have always looked on in horror whenever seeing highlights of Ultimate Fighting Championship style bouts. But having devoured about half of this fine book, I am beginning to see the light. UFC is the ultimate in combat. There is no eye gouging or fishhooking (pulling someone's mouth apart) or biting. Other than that, anything goes.

Which if you think about it is what combat is all about. I see from the pictures included in "Blood" that noted UFC coach Pat Miletich has been employed by the military in teaching his techniques to soldiers, which seems a very good idea indeed. Because if al-Qaeda operatives get into it with our troops, I don't want GI's claiming "no hairpulling" or some such thing.

It appears as if Ultimate Fighting has taken a lot of the most talented potential boxers and turned them into mixed martial artists. The new wave of sport is here, and it is represented by the UFC.

Go read "Blood in the Cage" if you disagree. You may become a convert like me.

---------------

YouTube video of a 60 Minutes piece on Mixed Martial Artists. Good stuff.

Terrific ESPN piece on Miletich' gym in Iowa.