Krieger,
Go spend a couple years training Judo (Kosen or a Kodokan Dojo that places a decent emphasis on ne waza), Wrestling, Brazillian Jiu Jiitsu or Japanese Ju Jutsu (again in a dojo that does Ne Waza) and then tell me that ground fighting is 'boring' or not an art.
I would actually argue that MMA in and of itself is becoming an art. In the past it was a forum for people of various styles to test themselves within a certain ruleset. But as most would agree, the average competitor has changed and as a result MMA has changed so that it is a unique entity and not just an eclectic blending of various styles.
It will continue to grow and evolve I'm sure, but it's well on its way to becoming it's own art / style.
To all the naysayers who are going to jump in and say that it's just a sport and not an art I would argue that by that logic then Judo or any other competetive representation of TMA isn't an art.
Two things on this -
First, the skillful competition between combatants in any discipline (Karate, Kung Fu, Judo, Ju Jutsu, MMA whatever) can in and of itself be an art or a part of the broader art.
Second, there are more people training MMA that will never step foot in a ring or octagon then those that pursue it for competitive / professional purposes. Just because one CAN compete in MMA doesn't mean one HAS to.
There is as much to be gained from MMA as TMA (I would argue that for both in order to get the maximum benefit of physical, mental and emotional / spiritual you need the right environment, the right instructor, etc but BOTH can lead to growth in an individual in all of these areas.