Remember National Geographic's "Fight Science" show last year? I didn't personally rate it that much, but there were some cool aspects. The next episode, however is based on MMA and looks like it's going to be done right. Tito's elbow in high-speed photography is pretty cool. They've got Bas Rutten, Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz and Dean Lister in to abuse their dummies [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjVvhDwFnJk]Here's the trailer[/ame] and here's the website
Yin and yang, for everything that looks like it might be a little good, theres something that looks utterly stupid: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/fightscience/videos_3.html
Looking at the MMA clip, I noticed that Bas is the only striking specialist they have. I'm currious to see if they measure anything other than strikes. I'm sure they'll show an arm bar or heel hook or something, but Randy and Tito are known for their slams, takedowns, and GNP. Ya think they'll try to measure the force of a double-leg slam? I think I recognized Bas Rutten in the "self defense" clip, but I'm not sure I recognize any of the other names. Karachi? Like the city? Dominic DeVito? Gary... Fraydo?
I'm curious to see how they make the obscure connection between samurai and Chuck Liddel. It's sad, really. I mean, listen to the trailer (paraphrasing from memory): "Ancient masters passed down their arts for millions of years, and now the ultimate masters of MA are in the octagon! XTREME!" Dunno. I'm sure the slow motion/CGI will make it worth watching, but I dread to think of all the mystic BS they're sure to include, just like all their other specials.
I think the mystic BS around MMA could be an awesome subject: "In this test we're going to see if Randy Couturee actually does push the earth down as opposed to pushing himself up when he does a press up..."
"Using our state-of-the-art equipment, we actually registered seismic activity in the Gouzhoung region of China at the exact same time as Randy's slam..."
Time to start putting down money on what its going to be: "We usually only see those sorts of numbers in..." a) Car crashes b) Rhino attacks c) Mid-Air collisions d) Nuclear explosions
Cut to scene of technician with awestruck look on his face: TECH: I just... I'm stunned. I didn't think it would be this high, ya know? We typically only see these kinds of numbers during rapid decompression in outer space. NARARATOR: With a total force of 30,000 lbs per square inch, Bas's kick could easily cleave a man in two.
No doubt there is a strong correlation to the magintudes of force generated by the big bang... mainly that every time Couture slams someone it generates so much force that he creates new universes. If MMA continues at it's current pace... there will be a supernova per second for the next 1,000 years. Awesome. Stephen Hawkings just booked ringside seats!
This statement comes without any actual backup, so it would be good to see any physics guys, support/destroy the idea but [vague] I seem to remember that because of gravity and out interaction with the Earth, we actually push the Earth down when we jump up. [/vague]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjPnLjvvrs"]Fight Science MMA - Bas Rutten Kicks a Crash Test Dummy - YouTube[/ame] 'MMA kick'? lol, love how Bas trained as a thai boxer for years and delivers a classic thai kick. But its not a thai kick, its an 'MMA' kick! Bas is a machine though, 40 odd years old and still kicking like that. NB,the rest of the show is on Youtube as well. Pretty boring mostly but worthing once I guess. Interesting with Randy when he holds a choke for a minute and then actually has less lactic acid in his arms than when he started. That guys in amazing shape
I think Bas delivers such a more powerful kick by the angle at which he stands near the dummy as well. rather than being front on he stands more at the side, which allows more movement through the target. another reason IMO why he got such a significant result compared to the other kickers. I love it when he does his left hook, the scientests are astonished by his power... he points at his biceps and says "these aint no marshmellows"
