MMA is a great sport that pits highly trained combat athletes against one another with rules governing the event and a referee residing over the fights. MMA is not something that goes on in locker rooms, at parks, or with bunches of teenagers looking on trying to emulate fighters they've seen with little or no training behind them. Actually, that's stupidity. Ready for another story that falls under that topic?
Here goes. According to the Kansas City Star, former Blue Springs High School wrestler Sam Gomez is suing the district for injuries stemming from a mixed martial arts-style fight under the supervision of assistant wrestling coach James Williamson. Gomez's lawyer indicated that Williamson actually watched and cheered on an MMA style fight that Gomez participated in after a preseason workout was cancelled. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $25,000.
Of course, this one will be fought out in court. But considering Gomez lost three teeth, had a rod placed in his mouth, and needed two root-canal surgeries as a result of his participation in what has been described as an MMA style match just serves as a reminder that MMA is a professional sport. In other words, if an MMA style match happens anywhere else other than a cage with referees, rules, and a governing body watching over, it's not MMA- it's a fight.
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