MMA not appropriate for high school athletics

It’s been called violent, dangerous, and savage. US Senator John McCain even called it “human cockfighting” and demanded it be banned.

And now it’s available to Kansas high school students.

Just south of Hays in the small town of LaCrosse, you’ll find teenage boys kicking, punching and choking each other, all under adult supervision.

The group is called Team Prophecy, a MMA fighting club for teenagers, and it’s run by 15-year veteran karate instructor Joe Proffitt.

Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA as it’s more commonly known, has become tremendously popular at the professional level. It grosses millions of dollars per event and has all but drove professional boxing to extinction.

MMA is essentially a kaleidoscope of fighting techniques, which includes everything from kickboxing and wrestling to karate and jiu-jitsu.

Prep level MMA has actually been around longer than most might think. Winchester High School, near Boston has had a MMA club since 2006.

Closer to home, Blue Springs High School (near Kansas City) wrestler Sam Gomez suffered multiple, serious injuries after he took part in an MMA fight under the supervision of the wrestling teams assistant coach.

If it’s so dangerous, why let teenagers do it?

In an interview, UFC President Dana White said it is only a matter of time before one of his professional MMA fighters dies in the ring.

As popular as it is at the professional level, it should not be allowed in high school.

The sport is too dangerous for untrained teenagers.

What next, high school NASCAR?