The program is a youth intervention program created to combat the practice of dog fighting.
Despite the fact that dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, it is both widespread and growing. “Getting and fighting a pit bull has become a way for inner-city youth to show their toughness, they use it as a stature builder and in doing so, they give no thought to what the animals involved endure,” says Knock Out Dog Fighting founder Kris Crawford. “Who better to show these kids what toughness really is than elite Mixed Martial Arts athletes” The fighters’ participation in the charity event is ironic coming off the heels of the now famous Boston Globe that likens MMA to dog fighting. “When I decided to wage war against dog fighting, I knew that in order to succeed, I had to have the best fighters,” said Crawford. “These extraordinary athletes take their responsibility as role models very seriously and are demonstrating that they are champions both in and out of the cage.” Athletes participating in Knock Out Dog Fighting visit schools, children’s groups and juvenile detention centers, to inform children that dog fighting is animal abuse and not a status symbol. Two children were chosen from the youth visited in the program to attend the Strikeforce card that night with the athletes. Strikeforce donated tickets and limousine service for the event. Josh Thomson’s Knock Out Dog Fighting PSA: