Question 116: MMA as martial art

I believe that colored belt ranks should not be given out in "Mixed Martial Art systems" that are flourishing and growing today. My system is a highbred system as many out there but we have a kata system that has a lot of traditional roots in it. Some of these mixed Martial Art systems that are cropping up have absolutely no foundation of tradition in them, they are a mix of various Martial Arts systems with no philosophy. I know some MMA teachers out there might disagree with me but I personally feel MMA is not an art..its a blend of combat fighting systems and the colored belt ranks represent "an art based upon some tradition" and should stay out of MMA systems...your opinion?