Senior project PowerPoint07

Despite being the world’s fastest growing sport, mixed martial arts is still not 100% legal in the United States.

Riding Out the Senior Project

Andy SranMr. John H. Fien

31 May 2011

My journey through the Senior Project and my Senior year has been a lot like riding a bull.

To successfully ride a bull, balance and consistency are key, just as they are in life. Without these, failure is imminent.

By balancing myself and being patient, I can successfully ride out

the tough bull.

Riding the bull was definitely no easy task. I had to hold on tightly

and be prepared.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never

have to work a day in your life.”

-Confuciu

s

Educating the public

Raising Awareness

Legalization of MMA

MMA is Still Illegal in Some Places.

-Connecticut

-New York

-Vermont

Ancient Roots of Mixed Martial Arts

Pankration : Ancient Greek sport extremely similar to modern MMA

Debunking Common Myths of Mixed Martial Arts• The Two Major Myths:

1. MMA has not changed; it’s still as violent and bloody as it was in 1993

2. A negative and stereotypical view of the MMA community

MMA FROM 1993 VS MMA OF 2011MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: 1993 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: 2011

Single-Discipline Athletes Multiple-Discipline Athletes

Other Martial Arts involved in MMA

o Greco-Roman Wrestling/ Judo

o Tae Kwon Do/ Karate

o Muay Thai Kickboxing/Western Boxing

MMA Appeals to Many Different Audiences

MMA’s Core Demographic: Men, ages 18-49. This is further split into:

1. Ages 18-34 2. Ages 35-49

Women: 35 to 45 percent of the demographic

Mixed Martial Arts is a True “Global” Sport

The UFC has held events in:BrazilCanadaJapan

The United StatesThe United Arab EmiratesThe United Kingdom

Germany IrelandAustralia

The UFC has visited 69 cities around the globe, spanning 10 countries and 30 U.S. states

MMA Fighters are Educated

70% of UFC Fighters hold a college degree

There has never been a

recorded death in

the history of the UFC.

Benefits for Practitioners

Physical Fitness

Self-DefenseCore Values

A challenge presented to me as I rode the bull was the fieldwork phase of the paper.

MY MENTOR: PHILLIP KOON

Professional MMA Coach and founder and current owner of BlackMat Mixed Martial Arts

Over 20 years of experience in various martial arts

Hard work

My Mentor’s help

15 Hour

s

My Fieldwork

The VIDA Program

VIDA = Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives

LEARNING STRETCHMy patience was tested

Training was physically and mentally grueling

Patience

My patience level

increased by working with kids

TRAININGTRAINING WAS

RIGOROUS AND

CHALLENGING

Aside from training alongside the members of the gym, I also helped kids with their homework.

Homework Help

Personal Growth

I learned self-defense skillsI got in better shape and I became more well-conditionedI learned how to deal with certain people and my patience level increased

Fieldwork Connection

Fieldwork

Research Paper

• I got a good understanding of the sport

by actually training

•Very hands-on

experience

Without properly preparing for the future, my ride on the

bull can prove to be disastrous.

Fullerton College

• Transfer after finishing my G.E.

UC Santa Barbara

• Obtain my BA and Masters here

UC Berkeley

• Attend UCB School of Law (Boalt Hall)

The Future

Without balance, I can be thrown off the bull in the

blink of an eye.

By remaining consistent and persevering through the tough ride, I can successfully pull through and succeed.

In life, you cannot take everything at once. Like a bull ride, it’s a tough ride and you must hold on and

persevere in order to succeed.

Thank You!