The Outrageous World Of Child MMA Cage Fighting

I've been in martial arts since I was 7 years old.  I've trained as an MMA fighter, and now I cage announce MMA fights.  While I love the sport, in fact it's my favorite, I'm just a little shocked by what I've learned about the world of child MMA cage fighting.  Young, small children, in a cage literally hurting each other.  MMA is a man's sport, not what I consider a child's sport.

I agree with putting children in martial arts.  It teaches discipline, respect, confidence and turns fear into power.  It's meant to teach self-defense, not to teach a child how to beat the crap out of another.

Kids as young as 5 years old submitting each other, which is literally strangling each other.  Blood chokes, where you cut the blood flow off from the brain.  This isn't something I would want my kid doing to another.

Yet, the world of child MMA cage fighting is a thriving, real deal.

Is it true, full contact MMA fighting?  Maybe not as vicious as grown men, but you can't deny that some kids are definitely getting hurt doing this.

I'm by no means saying this should be taken away from the children that want to do it, if it's a kids dream, they should go for it.

Daily Mail:

"It is estimated that three million boys and girls, some as young as five-years-old launch themselves at each other weekly across the nation engaged in Pankration - some wearing no head protection and throwing punches boasting gloves little more than one-inch thick
.

A New-York based photographer, Sebastian Montalvo, traveled across the country and compiled a photographic essay in which he attempts to shine a light onto the ferocious sport, giving names and faces to the little children whose parents are encouraging their fighting spirit.

One such child, is Kristopher Arrey. He is seven years old and his success in the MMA ring is so fearsome that he has earned the nickname 'The Arm Collector'."

Is it a bit extreme?