On Guam, our esteemed legislators are trying to do the opposite: Encourage it by formalizing the event and making sure that there is insurance for these fighters — like that is going to make a difference.
Even playing American football has been proven to be deadly for the brain. Wide receiver Chris Henry’s death has proven that someone just playing for a few years has shown significant brain damage — and that is even with protection.
During this debate on raising the drinking age from 18 to 21, and the attendant damage to the developing brain as posited by those who are in favor of it, I think it is even more so incumbent on the legislators to ban MMA on Guam. It is not only a death sport but it greatly corrupts the minds of the youth who are watching at the arena or even at home. It devalues the opposing human being, much like in video games.
Personally, I have had a run-in with an MMA fighter. He is real nice in the beginning of an encounter but as the conversation progresses, he gets angry. I understand these folks are in training mode and it is difficult to detach themselves from that mindset once they finish their training regimen. We would be doing them a favor by putting MMA to death.
MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam
