Are we on the brink of MMA in the Special Olympics?  Kyle Maynard has been honored by presidents, won humanitarian awards and appeared on “Oprah.” He wrote a national best-selling book, “No Excuses,” and has spent the last few years giving motivational speeches across the country. He got so busy that he was forced to drop out of the University of Georgia.  After training extensively for his first MMA fight vs. Bryan Fry, Maynard lost by unanimous decision.

“I accomplished everything I wanted to short of winning that fight,” Maynard told Dan Wetzel of YAHOO! Sports.  He even appreciated the two or three clean punches he took.“They landed hard,” Maynard laughed. “That in and of itself was a huge confidence boost for me. I wanted to get hit in the fight.”  Wetzel writes: He’s 23. He’s a tough guy. He knows what he’s doing.

As expected, there are mixed reactions about the no-restrictions Alabama fight; yet this could lead the way for MMA to be recognized as the top tier sport fighters, promoters and fans believe it is.