Fun fact: Early in their history the UFC turned down a plan to have full contact stick fighting events because they felt that it was too violent.

https://dogbrothers.com/ufc-letter/

Who needs a stick when you can just stand behind podiums and take turns slapping each other for Dana White's pleasure?

Too violent for pay-per-view, not inherently too violent. The letters shows admiration for the intensity of stickfighting.