I wonder if this could be considered child abuse. I remember getting into fights as a kid but, having it sponsored by adults seems a little much.
I think certain Martial Arts are an appropriate activity for children this young, as discipline is taught with technique. This just seems like people beating each other into unconscious submission.
I believe the theory is... the younger they start the better they will be as cage fighters, but the main problem is young emotions. Children at that age sometimes cannot separate truth from reality and can take that kind of aggression into other aspects of their life.
Jb you are likely correct on the child taking this physical level of fighting into their play life. At that age they would not see the difference between the cage and the park. I know some people teach boxing and martial arts to children but it is different as they are coached never to use the techniques out side of the Dojo or gym.
What happens when one of the children are killed or end up with long term brain injury? You are right dbackers it could be a form of child abuse.
I think this is the same issue as teaching full syllabus martial arts to the under tens.
I don't think much of the credibility of a ten year old black belt who has been taught adult martial art techniques for seven years. They think its a game - they have a great wakening when their older, both on and off the mat.
I was looking over this topic and the movie "300" came to mind with the way the Spartan children were brought up from young.