ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the development of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) from a figurational perspective, using the concepts of ‘quest for excitement’ and ‘informalization’ as key elements of the analysis. This chapter draws on personal interviews with UFC (the most successful MMA promotion worldwide) ringside physicians, expert UFC journalists and statistical information from specialists to argue that the overall development of MMA is an example of the informalizing trend within the sportization process. MMA’s development went through spiraling informalizing/reformalizing short term phases in which new social standards of what could be considered a legitimate combat sport were set. The informalizing/formalizing balance occurred in a complex way: along with typical ‘cosmetic changes’, other changes induced the ‘spectacularization of violence’. The combination of both ways solved the question of an adequate tension balance. It made the activity more exciting, selling the risk of ‘violent appearances’, without the undesired consequences of excessive damage.
