but it is called Mixed Martial Arts. it is kinda like how Molsen still calls their beer "Canadian". it is just wrong
but seriously. it is called a Martial Art, so what does that mean for the future of it and MAs ingeneral. i am all aboard with calling it a martial sport, and then would not be as upset with the bastardization. but i do not think that is doing it justice because as you said there are a lot of good fighters, and some that are extrodinary MAist. what we need is another organization that can represent the fighters and the sport better.
...... honestly (to hit on your last point) there is no difference from fighting and martial arts. in the end all we are doing is attacking and defending. the beauty of the sport is the more "bushido" aspects of it, but i think they only exist because decent people need a code of honour to deal with the concept of hurting people. so that is likely to exist in any formalized fighting school. the difference is that Tommy won his fight by decision. the judges looked at both guys fighting, one technical and one raw and CHOSE the winner, the unskilled one. if Tommy knocked the other guy out then yeah he won, but he did not. so it makes you wonder how they choose their winners. "i like the guy that hits thing"?
i once read an article from a guy that judged muay thai matches, and yes biases like that do exist, but the rules seem to be fairly formalized so that strength in technique is the tie breaker when no one wins.
Tommy was able to throw Ben down, but once down just stayed in Ben's gaurd and occationally threw punches and elbows. Ben attempted many submissions did some good defence. Tommy is a big guy and can take a lot of damage, so Ben's submissions did not work, but either did Tommy's hits. Ben was not knocked out and was not close at any time. and Tommy 'won' both rounds. i might give him the second with mild convincing, but not the first. he was almost submitted twice in the first 2 mins. and did not get in any really good hits.