Social representations of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Brazilian media

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the social representations about MMA on the Brazilian media. In order to that, three medias were chosen: a magazine, a daily news website and a newspaper. In total, 316 articles were obtained from the years of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 e 2013. The statistical analysis was performed in Iramuteq, which held a descending hierarchical classification. As a result, four classes were generated and classified as: "Exercise", "Motivation for the fight", "Advertisement" and "Personalities". Using the classes, it was identified that the advertisement around the MMA’s events is gaining prominence and generating social values, knowledge and practices about MMA. The MMA repercussion is gaining space in media and, consequently, is appearing more in daily life news and affecting people’s view about the sport.