There should be an MMA organisation for the first generation fighters

[One Punch]

Ok, I'm not saying that guys in their 70's or 80's fight but more like a masters organisation. It would be a place for people like Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn or Tank Abbott to grow old. What do you guys think. Atleast then they wont be getting obliterated by the young guys out there.

[Cancerfit]

That's what the IFL was about with their superfights, and it was the one decent thing about Yamma. I want to see the older guys compete, but I have no desire to see them thrown in against today's top competition.

[TheDynasty22]

One thing to consider is that unlike Golf or Tennis, both ability and safety are greatly affected by aging. While a 60 year old golfer can still golf at a pretty high level (obviously not prime, due to eye sight deterioration and strength loss etc.), an MMA fighter will simply lose the ability to perform effectively (similar to reasoning behind football's earlier retirement rate). On top of this, fighters post-prime and quickly aging pose a serious risk to their health by stepping into the cage. The body does not heal/take damage nearly as well as the 20s or 30s, so you would see many significant injuries/slow or even non-existent recovery.

[Zaroaster]

Originally Posted by TheDynasty22

One thing to consider is that unlike Golf or Tennis, both ability and safety are greatly affected by aging. While a 60 year old golfer can still golf at a pretty high level (obviously not prime, due to eye sight deterioration and strength loss etc.), an MMA fighter will simply lose the ability to perform effectively (similar to reasoning behind football's earlier retirement rate). On top of this, fighters post-prime and quickly aging pose a serious risk to their health by stepping into the cage. The body does not heal/take damage nearly as well as the 20s or 30s, so you would see many significant injuries/slow or even non-existent recovery.

A lot of this comes down to individual genetics, as much as how talented the fighter is - and fighting style is major in this one. Shamrock 45 is well past competing at any relevant level, while Couture 46 can still hang with the top in the sport(and win). Same with a guy like Hendo who's about to be 39 and relatively old for the sport still competing at the highest level.


I think up to a certain point age doesn't really matter for MMA if you have the right skill set and mindset. This isn't tennis or soccer or some other sport that requires a very high level of athleticism that only 20 and early 30 year olds have.