The Organization and Regulation of Full Contact Martial Arts: A Case Study of Flanders

Abstract

To date, martial arts involvement is often described in controversial terms. While some studies report increased antisocial behavior as a result of martial arts involvement, other findings refer to a more positive social and personal development. This paradox has resulted in an ambiguous public discourse on their value and legitimacy as socially accepted sports, often leading to a dichotomization between "good" and "bad" styles of martial arts. Up until now however, there has been a lack of empirical proof that this "good versus bad" perspective divides along the lines of specific martial arts styles. Consequently, the distinct moral and medical concerns regarding the effects of involvement in harder martial arts-combined with their increased popularity, as well as their perceived positive outcomes for specific target groups-have resulted in a growing demand among policy makers to develop (or rethink) their strategy towards the regulation and support of these sports. By means of a case-study approach, the present paper discusses some of the key issues regarding the regulation of a number of full contact martial arts (e.g., kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA), which are considered to be problematic for (sport) authorities, and which confront sports policy makers in Flanders. In describing the Flemish case, this paper aims to highlight the need to develop a sound martial arts policy that can provide a legitimation base for the provision and organization of full contact martial arts, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Kickboksen, een Marokkaanse route naar succes?

“…Daarin komt tevens de relevantie voor beleid naar voren, maar anders dan genoemd onderzoek ligt hier geen nadruk op handhaving en regulering (zie boven) en evenmin blijft het hangen bij de vraag of in de gym verkeerd agressief gedrag wordt aangeleerd (Endresen & Olweus, 2005;Kreager, 2007;Gubbels et al, 2016). Eerder sluit het aan bij onderzoek dat ingaat op de vraag of het beoefenen van vechtsport kwetsbare jongeren kansen biedt (Theeboom & Verheyden, 2011;Vertonghen et al, 2014 De specifieke kwestie van sociale stijging met behulp van kickboksen is onderdeel van een groter onderzoek. 3 'Succes', zoals gebruikt in de titel, kan in deze context een dubbele betekenis hebben.…”

Mixed Martial Arts: Civilizing or Decivilizing Process? A Bibliometric Analysis

“…69 On a global scale, publications in the policy and legal sciences have revealed a lack of organizational will and international governance which, in addition to hindering the development of "full contact martial arts" disciplines, confront them with ethical, medical and organizational questions. 70 Although the application of unified rules has helped to strengthen the safety and health of MMA practitioners, its ban has resulted in the renunciation of an activity with high economic potential in several countries 71 where the UFC nevertheless displays its dominance over other leagues and its athletes. 72 Questions about the organization and development of competitions for minors, free from rules or laws, or about the destructive potential of a discipline that can increase the capacity to kill undisciplined individuals 73 also points to the serious concerns inherent to the regulation and growth of this type of sport.…”