Mixed martial arts (MMA)

Mixed Marital Arts (MMA) is a sport that uses combat and fighting techniques. The concept behind MMA is to allow fighters to take down their opponents by using chopping, punching, and gripping movements. The earliest forms of MMA competition took place during the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, where fighters used not only their bodies but also used tools to inflict pain and blood. Several modern forms arose during the late nineteenth century, both in England and Japan. The development of MMA during the twentieth century spanned into Europe and the United States. Marital arts master and well-known actor Bruce Lee brought MMA to the attention of Western audiences in the 1960s and 1970s.

Overview

The type of fighting that is now known as MMA dates back to the Olympic Games held in ancient Greece in the seventh century BCE, where it was known as pankration. In the modern era, a combination of Greek and Roman fighting led to matches in the 1800s that featured a boxer and wrestler. Another combination of fighting styles took off in Europe, Japan, and the Pacific Rim in the 1900s in which fighters used rules based on “merikan” (i.e., American) fighting. Merikan rules allow a point system to base on the decision of the match, three take downs, and one ultimate victory match.

In the 1960s and 1970s, MMA gained in popularity with the help of Chinese-American martial arts expert Bruce Lee and Japanese wrestling promoter Antonio Inoki. Lee developed his own personal style of MMA that shaped how the sport is viewed today. Lee believed that knowledge of boxing, karate, and judo were all important, as was the ability to transition seamlessly from one to the other. Inoki created a Japanese version of MMA utilizing quick striking movements. These movements are used in MMA tournaments throughout the world in the twenty-first century. He is responsible for creating Shooto, a type of full-contact MMA in which competitors are called shooters.

In the 1990s and 2000s the rules and standards of MMA continued to evolve. To protect the welfare of the athletes involved in matches, all MMA-sanctioned events tightened their rules. These stricter rules did not keep MMA from creating a worldwide stir. In 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was televised for the first time, featuring hardcore MMA contests in various disciplines, including boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, muay thai, karate, and judo. In subsequent years, competitors began combining moves from each of these disciplines in their fighting styles. The winner of the first UFC match was a descendant of the Gracie family, Roy Gracie, who taught MMA in Brazil in the 1920s. Gracie’s victory shocked the world and ignited an MMA frenzy. Nine years later the UFC introduced the idea of pay-per-view, and as of 2013 it is the largest MMA promotion company in the world.

While MMA has transformed throughout the years, it remains a sport that rewards skill and strength. MMA focuses on three types of techniques: stand-up strikes, clinch holds, and ground fighting. Stand-up strikes require practice in boxing and karate to develop balance and kneeing. During a match, this type of technique is referred to as the “sprawl and brawl.” Clinch holds utilizes freestyle and Greco-Roman techniques to develop throws, punches and clinches. Within a match, the clinch fighting is called “dirty boxing.” Ground fighting is used in judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and pankration. In a match, the ground technique is referred to as the “ground and pound.” In addition to these techniques, MMA students are trained in weight management, exercise, and strength conditioning.

The ultimate goal of an MMA tournament for the fighter to take down his opponent with a knockout, submission, or decision. A knockout is when a fighter knocks his opponent unconscious; in some MMA events, knockouts are prohibited. A submission is when a fighter taps three times on an opponent’s body as a signal to stop the fight, in which case the opponent wins the match. A technical knockout is when the referee stops the fight on behalf of the fighter who can no longer withstand the pounding from his opponent. A decision is when the fight continues until the bell rings and the point system determines the winner.

Bibliography

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