Actually Sirfish,
It's a much safer sport than people think/ are aware of. Professional boxing is far more dangerous and has had numerous deaths and often brain related injuries. People die in Nascar, but I've never heard a negative comment towards that.
There have been no deaths resulting from a profesional MMA fight.
I think some just see it as a barbaric sport and don't see the technical side and the devotion to the training that these guys have given. It's one of the safest fastest growning sports out there.
Heck I wish I could do it!
Cheers,