Anyone can become a Pro Sumo player, there are NO requirements other than a fanatic dedication to what might very possibly be the worlds toughest sport. Watch a Sumo match with 'open eyes' and you'll see some of the highest level of Martial Arts skills you've ever seen. An experienced street fighter knows how hard a human skull can be when hit with an unprotected fist, even if that fist is hardened through training. The big, soft gloves used in Boxing allow repeated pounding with maximum body weight behind the punches. When this goes on for many rounds, its easy to see why people are concerned about the very real threat of brain damage.
Some venues require the new grappling gloves, and others allow bare hands.
Ground striking is MUCH less powerful, any fighter who punches as hard on the ground as he does standing is just an 'arm puncher'. MMA is not boxing, and the fighters are quickly learning that punching power is far more important than boxing skills. Links to various other friends Epona Perry's Celtic Cauldron site. Many of our cool celtic grafix were found on this page, there's lots of general celtic culture info there as well.