A 17-year-old is fighting on Dana White’s Contender Series…

[@logan3326]

Dana loves em young

[@xPhobxc]

Nahhhh 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@muthrfuqrjonz3530]

Nahh that’s Jared from Subway.

[@daedjynndarklight1797]

Bring me..... tha Boi!!!

[@anibalpuertorico6556]

@@muthrfuqrjonz3530 😂 or Catholics

[@johnpembroke9869]

Biden loves em youngER

[@CanadianBoardCrew]

This is awesome Chael. When I was 17, I would’ve sworn up and down that I could beat up any adult... and I truly believed I could. That’s how this kid is feeling too. He will have more anger in every one of his punches, because of how young he is. I can’t wait to see him fight

[@tomjones2056]

Overeems first fight was at 16. Perfect age to become a legend!

[@ivanskibinsky4901]

@@tomjones2056 a legend with diminishing brain functions.

[@coachhiggins]

I graduated USMC bootcamp at 17. If 17 is old enough for war ... then it's old enough for the cage. 🙃

[@goatmansasquatch1485]

It’s old enough to bomb civilians but not enough to buy a beer at a strip club. God bless’murica!

[@noahrivera2092]

Facts . Thank you for your service brother 💯🙏🏻

[@jeidenrodriguez1228]

Straight facts Gracias 💯

[@yuyo3690]

17 year olds probably shouldn’t be in war either tbh

[@coachhiggins]

@@yuyo3690 The morality of war is far too complex for this venue. 🙂🙃🙂

[@sigmafx7176]

I really feel for his opponent. Imagine you're 26 or 27 looking to feed your family or have a dream and your opponent is 17 year old. It must feel rough to be in his shoes I wish them both well

[@dc3565]

They will give him someone max 23 year old lol

[@Meme-mw7nq]

yeah idk how I feel about this, kid could have his career ruined before he’s ready

[@fatalbert135]

If Im the opponent, you go in with the notion that he gets the hands like anyone else. It's opp vs opp regardless of age.

[@liamrmorgans921]

Imagine losing to the kid

[@JWetzMMA]

@@dc3565 You're not wrong. I was "to old" to get the fight. It's ridiculous

[@joejusto3292]

Chael said to the camera man “ I WANNA DO VIDEO ON THIS 17 YEAR OLD ON DWCS!” Camera man asked Chael “ ok what’s his name? “ CHAEL SCREAMS “ OK GREAT ACTION !!!!”

[@markrosvold1837]

Some you may know of the recently retired Red King, I just knew him as Rory in High school. When I was 15 I got to watch him, at 16, win King of the Cage against a man in his 20s. He did pretty damn well for himself.

[@cncshorts1075]

Dope story

[@dajay2k]

Never heard of him

[@diogofernandes9196]

Song yadong has been doing it since he's 15 as well

[@markrosvold1837]

@@diogofernandes9196 yeah some guys just have incredible strength and technique from a young age. When Rory was 16 he sparred (at our local gym) with my older sister's ex ex boyfriend who was 6 years older than him, and just ragdolled...to my great delight, as the guy was a garbage human haha.

[@ASM881]

Where was that high school? (I’m from Vancouver, now living in Prince George) I heard he was from Kelowna but I also heard he was from Williams Lake and Kamloops.

[@Chicken-Chaser]

The idea of a fighter having to get signed permission from his parents like it’s a school trip is crazy. Crazy to think how mature some of these kids are that started training before they were even in high school.

[@EliteMMAv2]

What if you had a kid and you didn't want him to pursue a career full of brain damage. You know only a select few become successful it takes a lot.

[@SlickRickMedia]

@@EliteMMAv2 then you shouldn’t have him training getting injuries and brain damage for free from 17 down to whenever he started 🤣 you must not have kids , let them chase their dreams and support them or they will hate you 👌

[@SlickRickMedia]

@@EliteMMAv2 correct only a select few become successful and if you are 17 getting a shot at the ufc you got the talent ability and potential

[@hahzhhchebe2393]

@@SlickRickMedia having them train is different than an actual fight you dork lmao. You realize the majority of people training in boxing, mma, wrestling etc haven’t actually been in fights, right? Most people training don’t aspire or seek making a living off. Of fighting lmao.

[@hahzhhchebe2393]

@@SlickRickMedia and sorry dork, when your 17 and live with mommy and daddy, they still own your ass. I know you weirdos and creeps believe children are adults, but if you are that much of an adult, your parents will co sign and have your back.

[@DBurpees1]

I think what makes this really fascinating is that you can compete in every discipline at 17 that has been represented over the years in MMA, and nobody bats, an eye. Kids compete against adults in wrestling, sometimes, boxing regularly, and so on and so on

[@ivanskibinsky4901]

What is wrong with society?? This is a 17 year old not fully developed young man and we’re going to allow him to fight adult men. What if he gets permanently injured? Who’s going to be responsible if he does. What a sick society we have created, shame on 😢UFC! Leave the boy in the amateur fighting until he finishes physically developing.

[@ivanskibinsky4901]

Not fascinating but sick!

[@DBurpees1]

@@ivanskibinsky4901 17 you can join the military, at 1 you can be locked up in jail with adults if you commit certain crimes. I think if you can share a jail cell with an adult then you can most certainly share a different kind of cage with an adult.

[@cuchiecrook1985]

@@ivanskibinsky4901 you think people stop developing at 18? People's brain develops until their 25. No one under 25?

[@cjr1881]

@@cuchiecrook1985 yes. Why not.

[@thehighcommunity247]

This is gonna be the new wave of fighters. I started training at 30 years old. These other cats are coming out of the womb in a Gi and a mean lead hook. How tf am I gonna even attempt to compete with that. Oh well, lmao. 🤣🤙

[@smoke617]

You don't have to worry bro, you won't be fighting any of these guys.

[@1thenatural1]

@@smoke617 You looked at this poor guy and hit him with the, "Whooo da foook is dat guy? WHOOO DA FOOOK IS DAT!?

[@tomwilson5721]

By having a higher fight iq, better stamina and bigger heart.

[@MechanicalPigg]

You got that old man strength on your side

[@AlfonseGambino]

Your not going to compete with them cuz your too old.

[@armandocaraballo1784]

I got into Kickboxing when I was 12. I was beating guys older than me at 15. By 17 my coach tried to convince my parents to let me go pro, but they wanted me to become a medical doctor (just as my dad), so I did. Left the sport completely at 19, never got to compete at a pro level. Do I regret it? Hell no, but to be honest, I had other opportunities in life. But I remember how badly I wanted to compete at 17, to prove that I could be pro guys older and more experienced. So, to resume my point. If I were this kid's dad, there's no f.*%ing way I would let him do this.

[@joshweigel1131]

You woulda done great, but you made the right call.

[@squadabingo9113]

Unless that’s the only opportunity has, and they live in poverty, and that could be a way out of poverty, and your son is really good, then I will definitely let him do it. Especially if he’s passionate about it and there’s a lot of potential. But it will be a fight by fight basis

[@jeidenrodriguez1228]

@@squadabingo9113 yeah who knows if he even has any other options

[@ShinzoX90]

Dear diary. Lying ass, home boy be Dr Fullashiet

[@SlickRickMedia]

Funny your profile pic is a pro fighter not a doctor but you regret nothing lol

[@harrybolland5996]

Over here in the UK, my dad was a cricket coach and when talking about young kids coming up through the system and whether they were ready to make the step in to proper senior, men’s matches he would say: “If they’re good enough, they’re old enough”. Good luck to the kid.

[@mr.brenman2132]

If he's good enough then he should be fighting. It's his life and he has the right to compete in his sport and make money doing it.

[@TrappyJenkins]

I feel like the difference is MMA is all about damage. Damage is a side effect of other sports, and they wear safety equipment. Sparing can have pads, and not be full contact. so thats appropriate for kids getting into the sport. Young kids dont have the cognitive ability to make fully rational decisions. I wouldnt leave a 6 or 8 year old alone to watch my house. But a 17 year old can mostly care for themselves.

[@ONESKEBEAR]

7:00 I thought my PC froze

[@barakoxman4951]

Back when I trained full-time, there was a member of the MMA gym who was 13 years old and competed in amateur Muay Thai bouts with adults...even though he was one of the best strikers I'd ever seen, it still felt weird to full-contact spar with him because he was so young...it's a weird feeling when a id completely destroys you...even if you've seen the same kid completely dominate other adults and you know the kid is far better than you.

[@Sordemith]

I've seen similar kids too, but he wasn't 13 lol. Maybe 15 or something. No 13 year old on the planet is beating a trained adult. You have barely started puberty.

[@LorcanaTCGcast]

@@Sordemith go back to when mike tyson was 13 ^^

[@destroyerofmorons]

@@LorcanaTCGcast He wasn't shit, those pictures of Tyson at "13" are actually him at 15 or 16

[@Sordemith]

@@LorcanaTCGcast he was not 13 there lmfao

[@Freiheit1232]

13 is vastly different than 17. I’ve sparred a kid in Muay Thai who is 17 and he’s insanely good and looks like he’s 20. Genetics are all different and some people develop quicker than others.

[@zylee7]

There are very very few that I would say can do it at that young of an age. Wilfred Benitez won the world title in boxing at 17 years old, beating a very good and legit champion too to get it. It is very rare though. I'm sure there are kids now who have 10 years of training in numerous disciplines by the time they are 17 or 18 now. It's a different world than mma used to be. I think matchmaking needs to due their diligence to be sure he is capable. If he is, why not let him fight.

[@PBandy89]

Why not wait a few months until he turns 18 and dodge any backlash that may come

[@Romanus-]

Yeh, not a great idea from a PR perspective. Wait till he’s 18 and no one in the media would care

[@mr.brenman2132]

@@Romanus- The UFC has never cared about PR besides the stuff that was keeping the UFC illegal. I think it's worked out. Watch knitting if you are uncomfortable.

[@Elchinoalto]

Bro everywhere let’s them fight at 16 so it’s not uncommon internationally so I mean I’m not surprised it finally happened in ufc and he’s not fighting in the ufc yet he could get a contract and wait till he’s 18 which is prolly what they are going to do

[@k2l87]

If it draws attention and money then the ufc is going for it.

[@Romanus-]

@@mr.brenman2132 I’m not uncomfortable at all I just think them being on ESPN now PR is more of a concern for them. I love that they aren’t PC, just surprised no PR director or whatever shut this down and said wait till the kids 18, that’s all.

[@MetabenderLOL]

Song Yadong started fighting professionally at 15 first against a man that was like 5 years older, and he won... INSANE!!

[@davidfinch7810]

Theres kids i’ve watched spar adults in my old gym and absolutely batter adult fighters, they are 13/14/15 years old but some kids have hit puberty early and combine that with having trained since 4/5 years old, they are insanely skilled and better than most low to mid level professional fighters by 14/15 years old. They get that teenage growth spurt and combined with the skill, they are incredible. The next generations of mma fighter are going to be a formidable force

[@ginamorelli8133]

This would be an entirely different discussion if the fighter was a 17 year old girl. People would be fuming.

[@mdlfngr9262]

Victoria Lee signed with ONE FC @ 16 and competed before turning 17.

[@ShinzoX90]

If anything, the Kid could should of been offered a contract to be in next seasons show while getting trained and getting hyped until hes 18.

[@capitalf9552]

Uncle Chael mentioning Lebanon 🇱🇧 is such and honor 🙏

[@Romanus-]

Based country

[@zebra3519]

On the verge of economic collapse.

[@brianschowetsky6374]

A starting step would be to have a 16-17 year old mma division with difference rules that moderate it a little more. Tough to do all or nothing. In college football where the kids are 20 they use a smaller football and different rule set for what’s a catch. For college basketball the 3 pt line is in a couple of feet. Amateur boxing has head gear. If someone was competing in a 16-17 year old division and feels they can move up, at least there’s tape and history backing the decision. Same with a 14-15, rules get safer. Quicker stoppages, what and where you can strike on ground. Bigger gloves and a head gear. Off top of my head. In all other combat sports they get to practice with the modified rules.

[@ShinzoX90]

No. Also save this kinda trash for your diary.

[@Thegoat-dk7qj]

No lol, anything under 17 for mma just don’t seem good for the sport in any way, and a different rule set for mma would change the sport drastically, I don’t see any benefits honestly 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@richards6965]

I joined the military at 17 with parental consent. I doubt my mom could have given consent at age 7. I'd think that there is something in law regarding parental consent exemptions. I was in several fights my first 2 years in the service. I did well.. 17 is old enough. Those are your bravest most agile years.

[@Romanus-]

7 year olds would be more effective than some of the freaks they let in these days lol

[@ShinzoX90]

No it just happens to be a time where youre easily manipulated into being cannon fodder for billionaires and politicians..

[@richards6965]

@@ShinzoX90 wtf are u talking bout? I joined the service in 86.. got out in 93. I admit that whoever joins now is asking for trouble...

[@nicholasmaddalena1451]

He earns my respect and he's probably helping his family get ahead in life....double win!!!

[@jacobpotter2081]

Hopefully they do it the right way I’m sick of illegals in this beautiful country

[@killerwardog3354]

He said he has no living room and is tired of eating beans and rice

[@leogoga5832]

@@jacobpotter2081 Bro gatekeeping. Sad

[@But_Stuff]

Ive competed at bjj competitions with 16 yr olds I'm 27 they are some of the best blue belts to roll with, technique wise, but man strength helps come out on top

[@jd8169]

He’s 17 in Mexico but really 25 in the USA 😂

[@jeffreymyers1761]

I think what's the rush? Dude is 17 still a baby. Just wait 6-9 months or have ever long it takes for him to be a legal adult at 18. Just to avoid any unnecessary drama/controversy. Beside another year of training would only help him. And even when he is a legal adult i would still recommend matching him up with another youngsters that is you younger than 21.

[@direstraights4571]

He’ll turn 18 three weeks after the fight talked about above, 17 years and 11 months old, plus parental permission is good enough in my book. He’ll be fighting a 25 year old. I feel like that is a significant age difference, but all parties are in agreement, the fight is on.

[@zylee7]

The issue is do you try to stall if he is matched with a killer. I don't know the kids weight, but say he is 185 and wins 3 or 4 fights and in a year or two is matched with Chimaev or maybe Perreira if he is still around after the Izzy fight. Guys that can give him horrible beatings or brutal KO's can ruin his career. Remember Justin Lawrence was going to be the next great thing. He was rushed, but ran into another young (even younger) stud named Max Holloway and was brutally beaten. He never really recovered really recovered or looked like the next great that people thought he would be. I guess if your cautious and take your time it doesn't hurt things too bad. Match him tough in the different areas in the gym and he can still improve. Dont rush and get him into a match where he can get a brutal beating. Rush too early and it's very possible he doesn't recover or get back the confidence needed to be great. I would rather be conservative and cautious and take the slow burn approach. Pico tried to do it right, but it still seemed a little too green. His fight IQ was lacking and he wanted to KO everyone, which lead him to Unnecessary KO's that he could probably be avoided had he used his Olympic level wrestling. I guess we will see Tuesday what this kid looks like.

[@25Soupy]

Maybe it's a good idea to set an age limit of 18 years old to turn pro. That would be anywhere between 1 month to 12 months away for this young man. I'm not sure any fighter would feel good about beating up a 17 year old, it would haunt you for the rest of your life. Say 5-8 years later the 17 year old wants a rematch and states "You beat up on me when I was just a 17 year old kid". No one wants that thrown in their face. And if you lose you're a loser for being beat up by a 17 year old kid. It's a lose/lose situation for the competitor.

[@ADman2B]

John Morgan interviewed the opponent, Mando Gutierrez, on the MMA Underground channel.

[@johno30197]

This year's contender series is dope...

[@shadowbolt2910]

yeh.. that show is going to produce some ridiculous talent

[@CM_MMA]

Ive only ever really followed this years. What would say is the main difference from others? I personally see 1000% more promotion for it

[@ShinzoX90]

Tell me youre old as fuck without saying age. “Bro this is so dope”

[@shadowbolt2910]

@@CM_MMA just more and more prospects with really good records / accolades. like Bo nickal for example

[@seams4186]

@@shadowbolt2910 Ikram Aliskerov too

[@robert2690]

If you started training between 5-10 years old... meaning no playing video games or watching tv or KZbin... Or even studies, whatever your kid likes to do, develop a passion for something... I don’t know what point I’m trying to make but at least your kid is doing something productive because watching KZbin or playing video games isn’t productive.

[@jeidenrodriguez1228]

Look up how much gamers make in these gaming competitions going on in arenas and convention centers in Las Vegas Nevada .........

[@CacoExplosivo]

and what would you define as "productive"?

[@jeidenrodriguez1228]

@@CacoExplosivo I wouldn't most dudes making a living dint di much on the job its a confusing term in the real world all I know is get up and make some of ya self and the gamers that are become great are making mils

[@CacoExplosivo]

@@jeidenrodriguez1228 i appreciate you answer, but my question was directed to robert

[@davidbarnes4742]

Those hands don’t have an age restriction

[@rictoectol9814]

17 year olds attended Basic Military Training in 1998 when I was in. Everything else just doesn’t measure up. - If the paperwork is in order and their family has signed all the liability releases: Proceed as Normal.

[@amhawk8742]

Tbh all those waivers etc don't need to be signed off by a parent. I've been signing myself off at gyms/competitions etc for the last few years & nobody can tell the difference between me signing it off in my own name & a parent signing it off. At 17 most guys are already pretty athletic. Many of the 17 year olds I know look about 20 (including myself) & if we want compete we can usually hold our own going toe to toe with an adult in the same weight class of the same skill level.

[@thebigdawg9632]

I'm from South Africa and I'm 17 years of age and would like this opportunity in the new year, uncle chael let me rank up a few accolades here in South Africa and want to go through the contender series and this is the platform, we are a family here and I need exposure. Pay close attention to me I will takeover in this industry and when all is said and done, you will all Bow Down. I'm heavily influenced by Chael Sonnen he was the reason I started wrestling in 3rd grade

[@Georges420]

Good luck I'm rooting for you.

[@Machu-records]

Sounds made up

[@thebigdawg9632]

@@Georges420 Thank you so much pal❤

[@littletom7433]

It is not fair at all to say a 17 year can not compete and beat a 20 or 30 year old. It happens in gyms all across the world in combat sports every single day. I personally have the oppurtunity to watch it regularly in international wrestling. Now one thing is everybody physically and mentally matures at different times. At that point it really is up to the individual and parents ultimately to decide if the level of maturity matches the level of situation. As far as opponent goes, he should plan on doing whatever it takes to win as quickest possible. He should not view this opponent as anything other than somebody trying to beat him out for a spot in the big show, and also take half his pay check(win bonus)

[@RyanPortland420]

Lordshale just changed the rules of Pop Warner football in Oregon in 5 seconds. Yesterday we could tackle in third and fourth grade. Now it's 6th grade today. Crazy.

[@themeanaverage.1692]

Can you punch or kick an opponent in the head in pankration?

[@ginovalentino5735]

Chale is the voice of the fight game! Thank you sir for everything you do for combat sports.

[@accountofthevail9894]

facts

[@k2l87]

Its Chael, better edit that before the biggest arms youll ever see come knocking on your door. I forgot to capitalize the c in Chael,luckily i got it edited before he saw

[@rickiovine2170]

“Chael” Sonnen

[@jonaswhite5842]

Jesus man, respect to the master of names, ffs

[@zappasaves]

@Sub if you are against antifa and BLM are you smelling toast?

[@mmairet1]

You can’t do headers in soccer as a minor, but I’ve seen kids sparring in gyms across the US (though they have headgear). It’s a good question, I would lean towards no. Wait a few more months till he’s 18. If Dana & Co. are so interested in him, give him a development contract in Vegas @ the Apex culminating in a fight on his bday weekend. It won’t be DWCS, but again, if you’ve got eyes on him now, just take the bet… It’d be a great story, gets the kid a little $ and training, and the debate is alleviated.

[@dixonbuttes]

Back before they changed the laws, my buddy had his first mma fight at 15. Tbh I think starting that early is what burned him out and made him quit after 6 or 7 fights.

[@georgeg1330]

Or he over trained, the more you do something the more you think about it, you get mentally tired and you start hating

[@dixonbuttes]

@@georgeg1330 I could see that, it could be both. He felt like he wanted to try a bunch of new stuff, so I figured maybe he just didn’t feel like he had a normal teenage experience

[@Lord_Sully]

To answer the question "if they can do it when 17 why not 8?" Well they simply aren't competitive at that age. I like to think no competitor or promotor would go near that even if it is legal. The eye test can work... but I think it should be illegal with the clause that a sanctioning body can make exceptions. It's not like it will be common. But like this case they can look at his body of work and vote.

[@rickiovine2170]

I only know about this based on this video, but, here we go. First, and foremost the law as it stands today must be adhered to. I don’t know what the appropriate statutes are to know where the line is with a 17 year old fighting adults. And, it is not based on federalism so each state has their own laws, based on my interpretation of what Chael said. Congress has passed laws regarding youth participation in sports but it is mostly on safety, and, any statute of that nature must have guidelines to avoid ambiguity. Damn…this is tough because we first must know how the laws are written. If Nevada, for example, has legislation written in a manner that allows athletes under 18 to fight professionally with parental and pediatrician written consent, and his/her coach and trainers say they are ready and capable of the imminent dangers inherent in combat with their signatures (on the pile of forms required) sports then I believe all the columns have been checked, and let’s go! It is damn exciting. Now, if California forbids any athlete under 18 to be involved in combat sports in any way whatsoever than there is no discussion. Ok. This is too long. If you are still with me it goes like this: if a card that has a 17 year old on it gets sanctioned than the fight is on. If it does not than this tough young man better have frequent flyer miles. I want to see him fight, but that carries about as much weight as a Republican in D.C. Give us the lowdown on the legal issues, and if there is somewhere and somehow this fight gets sanctioned it will be a jackpot $$$$ for all involved. And, if the young athlete wins and shows the maturity of a seasoned fighter it might effect new legislation. But, If he gets thrown around like a child, and gets badly injured, say bye-bye to this concept.

[@DrunkDuckXD]

I think one of the only real arguments to make is in MMA you are at risk of suffering the most harm vs other sports. And at that age you are not fully capable of consent. Tough one.

[@noahahlers4740]

If he trains and the state commission decides he is serious enough to be licensed then he should have the right to compete. At the same time an adult fighter should be able to decline the fight and not be judged at all for it. Thats gotta be a tough thing for a 30 year old guy to go in and do everything in his power to hurt a 17 year old kid. I dont think I could do it.

[@sdt44]

This 17 year old is not from California, he is from nevada and trains at 10p las vegas

[@deano4274]

Victoria Lee competed in ONE at 17.

[@kinginfinite8748]

The UFC is a man's sport. 18 to fight. Period

[@tommyleefunderburg7766]

Well I started riding bulls when I was 14 I would say that's a much rougher sport you don't just have to ride in 1800 lb bull you have to get off in 1800 lb bull without getting horned without getting stepped on and get away from that 1800 bull that would just as soon stick a horn in you so what's wrong with the 17-year-old fighter you can stop a fight you can't stop a bull

[@LeoneWorlds]

I wanted to fight at 17. I’m 18 now. And I don’t think it should be allowed, This kid could get seriously hurt, let’s not forget what happened to Sage Northcutt, and this kid takes alot of strikes to the face.

[@gabelincoln3608]

If your 18 you are an adult you can make that choice for yourself buddy

[@LeoneWorlds]

@@gabelincoln3608 ?

[@capncrunch6209]

He's going to get smashed and tossed aside just like Northcutt did

[@goatmansasquatch1485]

His life

[@gabelincoln3608]

@@LeoneWorlds What don’t you get

[@stevenw2933]

Song Yadongs first fight was when he was 16.

[@dieseltyme]

If he wins it makes for a great story, but if some 25 year old beats this kid into a puddle it’s going to look really bad. Wait a year.

[@TheAndizzy]

Chael, you gotta stop calling him a child. Minor does NOT equate child. If it did, you wouldn't see any 16 year olds able to be emancipated, or even have sex for that matter. 16 is legally old enough for both of those things in a lot of the USA. 17 years of age is considered a young adult, and has been for the past century, plain and simple.

[@jiujitsuislife4256]

I live in Georgia and they start actually tackling in football full pads in 2nd grade and I think even 1st grade.

[@andrewrios2295]

Hope him the best, good luck.

[@DetricBelectrical]

I don’t believe at 8:17 you have life figured out not even close. But you are more advanced mentally than a seven or eight-year-old you know right from wrong. And it’s only one decision you have to make do you wanna fight or not. If he’s brave enough to fight he should be commended more than anything else.

[@Robrulz666icloud]

I think give the kid a chance and I will be following his journey with enthusiasm and hope.

[@QuagmireFeels]

I mean I think 17 is fine, that's the age where you can get your own debit card, enlist in the military, and do other shit. You are practically grown up at 17. 16 idk because 16 is your last year of growing usually, or even sometimes at 16 you stop growing, depends.

[@letsRumble814]

Bruh you don't stop growing at 17 especially in weight and in brain development, even in height only women stop getting taller at 18. Guys can still grow taller till 23

[@cjll2043]

@@letsRumble814 was about to comment the same thing

[@indigochild2.098]

16 is your last year of growing??!!!!! what bullshit place did you get that idea from????

[@davids9002]

This could be an even bigger marketing campaign than chimaev’s

[@TheDuketexas04]

On one hand we have rules and we must adhere to those rules just like when Charles missed a half a pound and still costing the title so even if this kid is a day away from 18 I think we still must adhere to the rules. Maybe this opens the door up for the UFC to do a minor league for the youngins that are coming up

[@TO_HELL_AND_BACK]

Thai kickboxers I believe start training at age 4 or 5 and the youngest to compete professionally was a 14 ye old French Thai kickboxer. Other countries have been doing this for a very long time. MMA is different, but if the kid can fight let him fight. Age has nothing to do with how good he is. He was already a champion, I'd love to see him follow his dream. Wish him luck. I'll be watching. 💪

[@FancyAF85]

Didn’t Thai boxing start with forcing orphans to fight? It was full on child abuse

[@25Soupy]

Those are all great points but there's nothing wrong with waiting somewhere between 1 month to 12 months to turn pro. No fighter wants to be known as the guy that beat up or was beat up by a 17 year old kid.

[@missvickimae1150]

Didn’t Rodtang turn pro at 8 yr old? He’s arguably one of the best muaythai fighters alive.

[@Nick-eq1to]

Mando is a character and tall out of his tail…but he does have some skill. He trains with Nick Simmons who beat Henry Cejudo in the Olympic trials so I do believe his grappling is better than people think it is🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jonaswhite5842]

Oh, by the way, there’s a fight night card going on right now

[@EclecticBuddha]

It wasn't even a law but when I was growing up 4-6 grade was flag football. We averaged 150 students per grade and managed to field 6 teams and have our own league because it was cheap to join and fun to play. Eventually the parents who thought their kids were going to go pro won out and now they wear pads and there's one team for every two grades down to like 1st grade. The gatekeeping for youth sports stinks.

[@royaltrunks8003]

All hail the 🐐 Uncle Chael 🙌

[@donnyrockett7490]

This kind of scares me bc you have kids now for the first time ever who are growing up wanting to be MMA fighters. Sport is very young. They aren't growing up and getting put in just a BJJ class and falling in love with it and becoming great at it. Or boxing or wrestling. I mean these kids are learning them all very young and how to mix them all and now we are seeing 20 year Olds get signed to the UFC and 21 year Olds like Saaiman who is so good as we saw from the Contender Series week 2 or 3 this year I believe and my worry is the punishment and brain damage they are now taking at an earlier age. Like is the new prime going to be 25 26 and yeah it just worries me. On one hand it's amazing to see the growth of the sport and the amazing talent that these kids have but it does worry me not just for a shortened career but most importantly their life after.

[@zekepeters3971]

I maybe biased but I believe peco was a bust in my eyes. My OP that's all

[@MichaelBryant420]

There are a few NBA players that didn't start playing until Jr. Or Senior year. A couple of them being starters.

[@Romanus-]

Very few. It’s a handful of guys over decades.

[@nickyt8956]

it all depends on skill level. obviously there are weight classes but skill level has to be a major component to competing with the adults.

[@RonniePTexan]

17 is old enough. I had been in 50+ real fights, street fights, by the time I was 17.

[@koNfliKt_614]

In motocross which may be the only other sport to require so much physical strength and endurance. In that sport 16 in is the youngest you can get your pro license.

[@hlatj7579]

I think Chase Hooper also fought at 17

[@LeoneWorlds]

nah. 18.

[@kpath74]

Some kids start wrestling at the age of 5 and never make it to the college level and some ppl start wrestling at high school and become a ncaa all American. Starting off early does not always equal better results.

[@chinto6389]

Looks like baby Big Foot Silva, hope he has a great performance tho 💯

[@Steve-hl4rf]

i paused it at 7:00 then when i unpaused it he was so still i had to double check that i pressed play

[@toddconley9065]

How old was Vitor Belfort when he started?? He was knocking everyone out as a teenager. A trained killer is a trained killer.

[@squishycld]

Yeah like immediately I don't want to fight a minor but at the same time I think Mike Tyson was literally my size when he was 13. That's like a really weird place when a minor is more developed than adults he's competing with.

[@georgeg1330]

MMA it's the most ruthless thing in the modern world. Being a kid and competing against an adult. If he gets hurt really bad, that could affect him mentally and the public oppinionabout UFC decision making. The kid it's probably tuff but who knows...

[@willjimenez9013]

This dude looks 38 with a full pride career 😳

[@Dennis32alpha]

Chael forgot to mention this kid beat an adult

[@Joe-id8bd]

The fighters are starting at a young age and the prime of a fighter is going to be in the 20's. I think we needs a seniors mma. 35 and up would be good. In my opinion.

[@Lawofhonor]

I was a Soldier at 17. I'm fine with it.

[@belalbelal4614]

17 is fine with me .Nowadays we baby kids. Young people are capable of Amazing achievements. Yes!!!!

[@gamerbloodeagle9432]

just watched his fight, if he was competing against kids his age he would dominate them like it was nothing. In this case he should be fighting against better competition. This happens rarely so expect him to be a star in the future if he is this good now.

[@HARV305]

You can't plan the NFL until you've been out of highschool for 3 yrs.

[@colewalsh915]

kobe and bynum were both 17 when they got drafted into the NBA

[@franklimper2677]

Wilfred Benitez was a pro boxer at 15 . I don’t think they were babying him

[@Pedro-tw6jr]

the earlier you are the better it is boxers start real young most of them at least so it wouldn't be a surprise that MMA would go that route as well

[@JJ-zo8sh]

Put his name in the title or subject

[@Joeyz94z]

Joel Embiid didn’t start playing until he was 16

[@kinginfinite8748]

The USA is divided not United, these states need to become more uniform on child laws. Hopefully in a ethically better way..

[@chalky_white]

I can't believe they deleted that "Dana ❤️'s em young" comment. What's the issue? He likes his fighters young. What couldn't that young man share that thought?

[@Left_4_Dead1997]

chael i have no idea what you just said but great video

[@dontpressbuttons8087]

I was concerned until I found out he was Mexican. They’re a completely different breed.

[@pixiedust4047]

balls of steel.

[@kyledavis7292]

Honestly I'm not sure how I feel quite yet about it but I think I would need to know more of how it's conducted the setting rules so on and so forth How many rounds how many minutes

[@krystinascherbarth2603]

guys chill out he is 17 it is not like he is 12. Really that much a difference between 17 and 18.