Be Careful Who You Blame The Recession On

It’s been tough on the city boys for the last eleven months. Accountants, Investment bankers, and Hedge “Fundies” have had to deal with job loss, cutbacks, and international ire since the global economy went belly up. They need a release, and possibly protection from, dare I say, the general public.

It was recently reported in the British broadsheet, The Guardian, that cage fights or mixed martial arts events are now mostly the domain of well-to-do city boys in London making at least £30k a year. It seems the fellas can’t wait to get out of their suits, off the trading floor, and into the caged octagon for a “ground and pound” session. And no, that’s not vernacular for gay night at The Ministry of Sound.

Cage fights also mean big money. The Ultimate Fighting Championship franchise, which runs the MMA events, has for the last five years just been in the domain of the United States. But it is now one of the fastest growing sporting events in the UK, and the brand is worth $1bn. You read correctly. That’s some serious blood money. And they’re also hoping to open gyms across Britain, just like they’ve done in the U.S.

Of course movies like “Fight Club” have helped stimulate the interest in cage fights, but it really isn’t that different from Bruce Lee inspiring a generation of kids to learn Karate in the 1970′s. I imagine fourteen-year-high unemployment, the ridiculous cost of living, and general urban malaise are probably just as potent stimulators as big screen Hollywood.

Whatever the case may be, I just love the idea that hooded teenagers on the subway aren’t the ones to be scared of now – It’s hedge fund managers with a black belt in jujitsu and a nasty grudge against the world that you’ve got to watch out for.

Get in the cage.

• UFC Will Be ‘Bigger Than Ali Vs Foreman’ (news.sky.com)