As a spectator, i personally prefer to watch fights which are in a ring. I personally find that the grappling always stays alittle more alive when the fight is in a ring because the fighters cannot pin their opponent against the cage.
I think two guys fighting in a cage has more an impact upon the viewers who are new to mma, than 2 guys fighting in a ring.
I agree, Yuki. Most people accept boxing, so if they see MMA in a ring they relate it to boxing and don't think it's as "barbaric" (for lack of a better word- I know it's not, but a lot of people think it is) as if it were in an octagon or cage. A lot of people see the cage and think of the early UFC's and think the people try to kill eachother.
Also, you can't get thrown out of a cage, and you can't grab onto a rope (you could try and thread your fingers through the cage, but probably not a great idea to provide that kind of a target ).
I Prefer to watch fights in a ring (PRide) the cage is just there for show and the only purpose for having it there is for the strikers to pin up against it which is crap. I will be fighting in a ring a Clash In Cosette 3 in november. it is one of Freemans Shows.
Likewise Sambo Master. I much prefer a ring. Good luck with your fight! I too will be having my first fight soon.
I recently watched UFC 47, and then watched a Pride fight show. I found the Pride fights to be more exciting to watch. More Ko's, Tko's, and submissions. I like that they couldn't hold on to the ropes of the ring, and when they needed a re-start, they got brought to the middle of the ring in the same position they were in at the ropes(grappling position mostly). Now whether that has anything to do with the ring vs. the cage...I have no idea
Yeah, Pride has the rules that if the two fighters are rolling around near the end of the ring, the fighters are told to move back into the middle of the ring and continue in the same position they were in.
neither - do it on a leitai like in sanda/sanshou if they go out, they fall off will keep the fighters more alert as to where they are on the platform