By Stephen Cooney and David Gibb

David Gibb: So, CBS has signed a contract with ProElite, a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. They’re going to put at least 4 events on major network television in a primetime timeslot. To this point, MMA has existed almost exclusively in the worlds of pay-per-view and extended cable.

Stephen Cooney: I am excited for this, but also really worried. It can either be the best of times or the worst of times for MMA

David Gibb: Really? You find this even remotely exciting? What about this possibly gets your blood running?

Stephen Cooney: Well, Dave, as some people have said, it takes a man with some unresolved emotional issues to get into this type of sport. I used to box and train MMA so I guess I am both

David Gibb: Well then you’re in a unique position to tell me why I should even care.

Stephen Cooney: I don’t know if I can make you care. As a matter of fact, I do not even know if Kimbo Slice and ProElite can make you care. CBS has put lead boots on the feet of MMA. As a fan I am a little worried.

David Gibb: How is network exposure bad for ProElite or MMA in general? Even though I don’t like the move, I would think it could only improve their popularity and provide exposure.

Stephen Cooney: Well, MMA is a very dangerous subject, and a very volatile sport. There is a huge mix of fighting and wrestling. I do not know if many people understand this sport well enough to just jump into it head-on. Also, I am worried about the type of competition in ProElite.

David Gibb: You mean how it’s dominated by jokers like Kimbo Slice? CBS only chose ProElite because of him, and ProElite only signed him because he’s a viral internet phenomenon. The whole thing just reeks of publicity stunt.

Stephen Cooney: You have to consider that Kimbo is extremely inexperienced as far as MMA goes. I think he made a very smart move going into MMA and not boxing. He fits in. I do not think the problem with ProElite is Kimbo; I think it is the rest of the fight pool. This, I believe is like a minor league visit for Slice. Everyone knows the real fighters live in the UFC or PRIDE. The smart money would have been on a conglomerate launch; ideally Lesnar vs Slice.

David Gibb: Lesnar vs. Slice would mean tremendous ratings, but I don’t support MMA on network TV to begin with… What about the children, Steve? This isn’t wrestling, this is real life. These are big dudes with emotional issues beating the daylights out of each other.

Stephen Cooney: What about the children? The children? We all know the children watch far worse shows than MMA. I mean, come on. Look at the great boxing era. That was on cable. I wouldn’t say that generation was ruined.

David Gibb: But boxing has rules and weighted gloves and structure. To the untrained eye, MMA just looks like a schoolyard fight. It’s begging for kids to emulate it.

Stephen Cooney: I do not believe that for a single second. But, how about you name one person who has died during an MMA fight? I have not heard of any. People like to think the rules of MMA are “there are no rules,” but that couldn’t be more false. The fighters actually are well protected and the refs are more likely to stop a fight because they understand the danger. People also like to think that gloves mean safety. Ask anyone who has been hit with a solid set of 10oz gloves, and they will disagree. Leather hurts.

David Gibb: Well, fighting is fighting, obviously. I can’t disagree with you there, and I’m NOT saying that MMA is better or worse than boxing to those who actually understand professional fighting… It’s the people who don’t understand professional fighting I’m worried about.

Stephen Cooney: Those people actually worry me too. I think they will go into these looking for Blood Sport and become very disappointed with technical jujitsu and submission fighters. Not everyone likes to bang in MMA.

David Gibb: Precisely. Also, MMA fights are often quick, which seems anti-climactic to your average network fight viewer… who probably watches professional wrestling and is consequently expecting a larger-than-life spectacle.

Stephen Cooney: That could be a bonus, though. People do not have huge attention spans, and quick fights may be good. People who want to see submission fights can watch fights that will move by quickly, and those who want to watch Rocky IV can also get that. The only problem is the real fighters are not in ProElite.

David Gibb: So you like MMA but still don’t like ProElite on CBS because the quality of competition is low? Would you support UFC on network TV?

Stephen Cooney: I do not want to say that I don’t support ProElite, it just scares me. UFC would be far more eventful, but just as dangerous. UFC is better fighting. I wish people could be exposed to true MMA. ProElite is a good stepping-stone, though. It could spark interest.

David Gibb: Well, your points are well-made, but I just don’t think MMA has any place on network TV… It’s all well and good in the basements of bars (a la Fight Club), but let’s keep it OFF TV where children and other emotionally fragile individuals can see it.

Stephen Cooney: Come on now, MMA is by no means Ed Norton destroying something beautiful. This is not a bunch of lost men gathering in a basement to beat each other’s faces in. It is trained athletes who take pride in their sport, competing just like all other athletes. It is not their fault they choose to put their chins on the line and defend themselves with fists and submissions. MMA is growing and most people find ways to watch it anyway. So, why not cash in and let people see guys like Slice fight in an organized world, and then hopefully they will start to show some real fights with premier guys like Diego Sanchez and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.