Mixed Martial Arts

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MMA (mixed martial arts) is a combat sport where two fighters beat the snot out of eachother by utilizing different styles of stand up fighting skills and grappling techniques.

Surely you've seen or heard of the UFC or Pride Fighting on Spike TV or Espn. These are probably two of the most well known mma/fighting organizations around right now.

MMA is a mix of several most effective martial arts such as Thai boxing, Wresling, Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Sambo. MMA uses punches from boxing,kicks from Thai boxing, throws and takedowns from free style Wresling and Judo, on the ground submissions and escapes from brazilian jiu jitsu and leg locks from Sambo.

Back in the day when MMA was still pretty new, the fights were arranged to see two different martial arts styles go at it and see which style would be victorious.

To me personally, the most interesting of bouts to watch was between a Muay Thai fighter v.s a Tae Kwon Do fighter or any other style of martial arts versus another.

Nowadays, the style of MMA has evoled into its own type of fighting. Trainers figured out which styles and techniques were most effectve in MMA competitions and put them together to make a fighter very well rounded in all techniques.

You won't be seeing a Tae Kwon Do practitioner versus an MMA fighter no because obviously the TKD guy will not stand a chance when he gets driven down to the ground and put in a fighting position he is not accustomed to.

The styles that stood out from the rest were Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Shoot Wrestling, and Amateur Wrestling because of the effective ground fighting and submission techniques.

Submission Grappling is the art of ground fighting without a gi (uniform). The concept of being a well-rounded fighter is to be able to defend yourself both standing and on the ground. Most self-defense situations will end up on the ground, so being prepared for it is most important.

MMA fighters are trained to fight on the ground utilizing techniques from Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, various other sources. Training techniques found in MMA ground fighting are body positioning, control, escapes, and reversals. One must also be capable of executing  submission techniques including chokes, arm locks, leg locks, ankle locks.

Then began the cross training of ground fighting with boxing techniques, muay thai elbows, knees, clinching, and various other stand up training to develop a fighter who is versatile and can take a fight on his feet or on the ground.

Founded - 648 B.C
Meaning - Mixed Martial Arts