In my experience with MMA competitors, the idea that these folks are a bunch of Fight Club wannabes breaking each other's jaws in grimy basements and then telling ER docs they fell down the stairs is inaccurate and offensive fiction.
Comparisons to dog fighting are ludicrous and offensive. MMA competitors are willing participants. Pit bulls forced into a ring aren't.
Mitlov why do you take offense so easily? So what if people think it's a crude sport for idiots? Personally I am just dissapointed by it. You remember as a kid all those arguments about who/what would win if they fought, Superman vs Spiderman, Bruce Lee vs Hulk Hogan, Karate vs Judo, Boxing vs Muay Thai etc. etc. It "should" be more exciting than it is, but apart from the big name fights it's normally two sweaty men sat on each other for five minutes.
It's the history of early UFC that probably drives many people's views, things such as no holds barred, groin strikes, lack of gloves, hair pulling, kicking when down, headbutts etc. In it's early days it looked more like a drunken brawl than a sport, and sometimes, it still does. At least in boxing you don't hit and kick people whilst they are on the floor. Knowing you I'm quite sure you'll post a link showing a boxer hitting someone on the floor...
And you can quote the early days of other sports all you like, we live in the 21st century now.