MMA always struck me as something that wasn't trying to determine who a "world champion" is but instead to put on a spectacle of brutality. Boxing on the other hand always seemed to be a proper "sport" in the sense that it wasn't just outright pursuing brutality.

I think MMA has mellowed a bit with time compared to its earlier days but it's still carrying that stuff. It's how it built up its early success and attracted people, it always seemed a lot like a no-rules fight pit.