MMA Teaching Kids be Violent? Children Acting Out Brutal Moves On Playgrounds

A child psychologist has warned that mixed martial arts could dangerously influence kids. School children are reportedly mimicking brutal MMA moves in playgrounds.

Psychologist Arlene Naughton urged parents to refrain from enrolling their children in MMA classes because of its serious effects on kids. Naughton's warning came after Portuguese MMA fighter, João Carvalho, was taken to the hospital last weekend after getting defeated by Charlie Ward, Conor McGregor's clubmate.

Three days after being hospitalized, Carvalho reportedly died on Tuesday due to his injuries from the fight, the Telegraph reported. He was knocked out in the third round of his walterweight fight against Ward.

Naughton said the media is portraying brutal moves performed by MMA stars as wonderful, and that it can entice children to play out what they see on the TV. She said that mimicking MMA professionals are unsafe, adding that "It's dangerous and irresponsible when it's done improperly like that on the playground," the Irish Independent reported. 

Children Get Desensitized

Naughton warned that being exposed to violence at an early age can damage kids and make them desensitized to it. She added that the children see "brutal violence, blood and then the unusual reaction which is the crowd cheering," the Irish Independent noted. 

Dr. James Gray, an emergency department consultant at Tallaght Hospital, said adults suffer from grave fractures, soft tissue trauma, and dental injuries after MMA fights. According to him, a blow to the neck -- for example -- might not result to a fracture, but it could lead to a damaged artery or an internal tear. With this, blockage of the artery and a stroke can occur given time.

"When I was growing up, the Incredible Hulk was the big thing, so one day I got a hold of some green chalk and covered myself in it," Gray continued, as quoted by the Irish Independent. "I climbed onto the roof of the shed, jumped off it and got hurt. Children do these things. They mimic what they see on TV or what they are interested in."

Coach Defends MMA

John Kavanagh, who is McGregor's and Ward's coach, defended MMA and insisted that it's not a brutal sport. He argued that it is more dangerous for kids if they do not practice any sport, adding that physical activities can help children avoid being obese, a health condition which he claims is one of America's biggest problems.

"What is a lot more dangerous for kids than contact sports is doing no sports," Kavanagh said, as reported by the Irish Independent. "For young kids, we don't allow any striking towards the head. When they are coming into their teen years, contact can go up a little bit but is still closely monitored."