On the first two bits, fair enough. Still a lot of people watch Nascar to see the crashes; the safety stuff makes it "okay", much as the penalties make it "okay" for a lot of (in many cases the same) people to enjoy watching the fights in hockey.

On the last... I'll buy that like any athletes, they condition their bodies; what makes you single out MMA folks? I would expect gymnasts, skaters (i.e. figure skaters), and dancers to be better comparisons.