Combat sports embrace verbal aggression in a way that other sports don't. What leads fighters to interact in a manner that is antithetical to civil society? And why do fight fans accept behavior that would be intolerable in any other context?

  the risk of stating the obvious, being a fan of combat sports necessitates embracing behaviors one would condemn in almost any other context. Violence is antithetical to civil society, so reconciling one's passion for sanctioned combat with one's social conscience can occasionally be something of a mental gymnastics routine. However, something we rarely reflect on is the verbal aggression of fighters relative to that of other athletes. The topic doesn't carry the same weight as the consequences of violence, but it's nevertheless interesting that we accept, and even encourage, a manner of interacting that would make even the most misanthropic sociopath cringe.
Conor McGregor's charming/entertaining/obnoxious performance -- depending on who you ask -- at the UFC's recent "Go Big" press conference perfectly illustrates this point. At said event, the Irishman excoriated and belittled his peers at every opportunity. It's the kind of display one is rarely going to witness outside the culture of combat sports. To emphasize this point, let's go ahead and recast a few characters from said presser while retaining the script. Replace McGregor with Roger Federer, Donald Cerrone with Rafael Nadal and Chad Mendeswith Novak Djokovic, and then allow the scene to play out in your head. Congratulations, you've just created something approaching a Monty Python sketch.
If the above scenario isn't sufficiently absurd, try to picture a professional curler channeling Mike Tyson and informing members of the opposing team that their children look awfully appetizing, or a pool player suggesting the honor of playing him is a red panties-worthy occasion. None of this is to imply that all sport beyond fighting best exemplifies civil society. To be sure, one is likely to encounter more sledging at a soccer match than at the average dinner party. But for better or worse, combat sports embrace verbal aggression in a way that others don't.
read more
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/10/6/9460093/mma-psychology-the-use-of-verbal-aggression-in-combat-sports
NOTE:

MMA Psychology: The use of verbal aggression in combat sports


Combat sports embrace verbal aggression in a way that other sports don't. What leads fighters to interact in a manner that is antithetical to civil society? And why do fight fans accept behavior that would be intolerable in any other context?

  the risk of stating the obvious, being a fan of combat sports necessitates embracing behaviors one would condemn in almost any other context. Violence is antithetical to civil society, so reconciling one's passion for sanctioned combat with one's social conscience can occasionally be something of a mental gymnastics routine. However, something we rarely reflect on is the verbal aggression of fighters relative to that of other athletes. The topic doesn't carry the same weight as the consequences of violence, but it's nevertheless interesting that we accept, and even encourage, a manner of interacting that would make even the most misanthropic sociopath cringe.
Conor McGregor's charming/entertaining/obnoxious performance -- depending on who you ask -- at the UFC's recent "Go Big" press conference perfectly illustrates this point. At said event, the Irishman excoriated and belittled his peers at every opportunity. It's the kind of display one is rarely going to witness outside the culture of combat sports. To emphasize this point, let's go ahead and recast a few characters from said presser while retaining the script. Replace McGregor with Roger Federer, Donald Cerrone with Rafael Nadal and Chad Mendeswith Novak Djokovic, and then allow the scene to play out in your head. Congratulations, you've just created something approaching a Monty Python sketch.
If the above scenario isn't sufficiently absurd, try to picture a professional curler channeling Mike Tyson and informing members of the opposing team that their children look awfully appetizing, or a pool player suggesting the honor of playing him is a red panties-worthy occasion. None of this is to imply that all sport beyond fighting best exemplifies civil society. To be sure, one is likely to encounter more sledging at a soccer match than at the average dinner party. But for better or worse, combat sports embrace verbal aggression in a way that others don't.
read more
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/10/6/9460093/mma-psychology-the-use-of-verbal-aggression-in-combat-sports
NOTE: