*This is the first in a series titled What Would Jesus Do (throwback to the sweet WWJD bracelets from the 90’s). A few disclaimers before jumping in. Sports as we know them today did not exist back in the first century. While we can speculate and guess, we can’t know for certainty what Jesus would do in some of these situations. More often than not, he did the exact opposite of what majority culture thought he should/would do. All that to say, I don’t know and can’t say with certainty…so take these with a grain of salt, some grace, and some counterpoints so we can see these questions from different angles. With that being said, the purpose of this series is an attempt to help us see sports through the eyes of Jesus and try to align ourselves with Him—as best as we can with what the Bible teaches about Him.

Would Jesus attend a UFC fight? I think he would. But there is a bigger question we need to wrestle with before we can fully understand why I think he wouldn't hesitate to show up.

The bigger question(s) is this: would Jesus support UFC as we understand it today? Would he champion it and celebrate it? Does UFC, broadly speaking, bring glory to God? I think the answer to all of those questions is no. 

Are there parts of UFC that bring glory to God? Absolutely. Physical training (1 Timothy 4:8), pursuit of excellence of one’s craft (Colossians 3:23), submission to those in authority above them (Romans 13:1-7), following the rules of the sport (Genesis 1:2,3). But as men and women made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), I don’t think Jesus would celebrate or support his image bearers beating fellow image bearers to an unconscionable state—in the name of sport. 

But football is a violent game? What about boxing? Or Rugby? 

Football and rugby both have elements of violence, yes. But the purpose of both games is to score more points than the other team. That’s how you win. And you score points by getting the ball into the end zone, not by a roundhouse kick to the face. There are also many rules put in place to help curb the violence in sports like football and rugby. Boxing seems like the closest comparison to UFC. I don’t think we can use boxing’s mentioning in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 to make a supporting argument for its existence, but I do think there are enough rules and boundaries (boxing gloves and punching only above the waist) in place to keep it from being barbaric. 

I get that, like wrestling and boxing, there is a tactical component to UFC that I do not fully understand. It involves a high level of skill and technique. It’s more than just brutally beating your opponent. But it’s certainly not less than that either. And that’s why I think Jesus would frown on UFC as we know it. It doesn't seem like it passes the eye test for something that would bring glory to God—at least not to me.

Does that mean that I think every UFC fighter is not walking in God’s will for their life? Absolutely not. I think a fighter, redeemed by God, can fight in a way that honors his Creator—as well as his fellow image bearers. I think it’s absolutely possible for a fighter to have a Godly respect for their opponent. I think it’s absolutely possible for a fighter to fight to pursue winning in a way that shows they have a respect for the human body. I think it’s absolutely possible for a fighter to fight without anger as his/her primary driving emotion. But I think all of those are the exemption within UFC, not the norm. 

So, do I think Jesus supports and celebrates UFC as we know it? No. But I think he would absolutely show up at a fight. Why? Because Jesus showed us that his presence did not mean he was there for the same reasons the rest of the crowds were there. His presence often has more to do with the people in attendance than the purpose of the event.

Mark 2:13-17 shows us an example of this: 

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

To be clear, we are all sinners. We all miss the mark of God’s perfect standard. It’s the reason Jesus showed up in the first century. To live the perfect life on our behalf and die in our place. Don’t read what I am not writing. I’m not using this story from Mark in a feeble attempt to make UFC and its fighters look bad. I’m simply pointing out that Jesus doesn’t need to agree with everything to show up at something and engage with the people involved.

I think Jesus would attend a UFC fight because he would go anywhere to show his image bearers his grace, truth and love. And because of the high value he places on his image bearers, I think he would frown upon what actually takes place inside of the ring.