Your friend is dumb. Humans have come a long way from gladiatorial death matches, both as a society and as a people. Why would we suddenly revert to old, archaic ways of unbalanced tomfooloery? While we are at it, why don't we make petty crimes punishable by public ridicule in stocks, or maybe we can solve all of our disputes with ten paces? Hell, why don't we just pit two people against each other that use newborn babies as their weapons.
EDIT: Of course most people on The Escapist like the idea. The Escapist, like most sheltered and uneducated groups, thinks that every single criminal on earth is the worst piece of scum ever. Did that guy go to jail for unpaid speeding tickets?! FUCKING HANG HIM BY HIS TOES AND BEAT HIM TO DEATH. You people disgust me sometimes.
EDIT 2: I also love the people saying that they would totally watch it. No, you most likely wouldn't. You're saying that to look "edgy". Despite all the self diagnosed medical problems people have on this board (all of which are most likely non existent), I highly doubt many, or even a few, of you are as "twisted" as you say you are. I guarantee that most of you would get nauseous, or even start crying uncontrollably, when seeing 2 grown men fight to the death. Hell, most of you barely have the courage to speak to members of the opposite sex, so I highly doubt you could even watch two people punch each other if blood was involved. Grow the fuck up. This isn't high school. Stop lying to yourself.