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Combating Fight Clubs

Ten years ago, the film Fight Club’s message about rebelling against society through violence spawned countless imitations across North America. Now, with the in-your-face — but controlled — brutality of mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is organized physical violence gaining more popularity? The recent news of a fight club organized at the University of Manitoba suggests it’s possible.

The message of David Fincher’s Fight Club was one of breaking free from the constraints of society — using violence as a means to escape. Though the shock value at the time of its release was high, it has since decreased as the sport of mixed martial arts has gained in prominence.

Be it through a combination of people’s interest in violence, or a savvy media-oriented message delivered by the sport’s founders, the spectacle of two individuals engaged in combat seems to have struck a chord with modern society.

Whether it is the rise of MMA or the continued popularity of Fight Club that caused an illegal underground fighting club to form at the University of Manitoba is unknown. Certainly it can be argued whatever the reason was for the club’s creation, some people still derive satisfaction from taking and receiving punches — so what does this say about our society?

First, the differences between illegal fight clubs and professional MMA leagues need to be explored. While both deal with issues of violence and aggression — predominately between young men — the manner by which they face these emotions and actions are vastly different.

Since it has gained increasing popularity, MMA has been able to take advantage of a high entertainment value — another extreme sport people can take part in to test the limits of their endurance. It also allows those who may not be interested in the sport for the technique to release their aggression in a controlled setting. After all, humans seem to be aggressive by nature, so finding an outlet is somewhat beneficial.

On the other side of the issue are the underground fight clubs. Though perhaps not quite as popular as they were following the film, stories still crop up about young people putting together similar groups.

Perhaps it is the illegality that makes these clubs so alluring. The sense of freedom given by taking part in a no rules engagement may be something disaffected youth may find appealing. Beyond that, it’s difficult to rebel against society — one of Fight Club’s primary themes — if you’re joining a socially accepted activity, like a gym or boxing club.

With that being said, if you’re so aggressive you need to create an underground fight club, there may be deeper issues than a simple need to rebel against society. While the structure offered by a professional gym and trainers may not carry the same primal emotional responses as a back-alley brawl, it still offers a better outlet for dealing with personal issues of aggression.

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