Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts, commonly referred to as MMA, is a full-contact sport where competitors utilize a variety of fighting techniques including traditional Jiu-Jitsu,Greco Roman wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing and more. Striking and wrestling techniques are used while standing and on the ground. While it's thought that Mixed Martial Arts has it's origins in ancient Greece and later with the Gracie family in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the MMA that we know today owes it's popularity to the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993.
Do you want to see Gracie in Action?
Arnold/Gracie World Submission Championship 2004 DVD
Ultimate Fighting Championships Vol. 60: Gracie vs Hughes DVD
The Ultimate Fighting Championship originally featured specialists in different martial arts fighting each other to determine the most effective fighting style, however MMA has morphed into a discipline of its own incorporating techniques from all of the martial arts. Mixed Martial Arts continues to explode in popularity, with enthusiasts participating in grappling competitions at traditional wrestling tournaments as well as being featured in heavily promoted pay-per-view events bringing audiences from around the world.
As has happened with professional wrestling, there are different factions and organizations within Mixed Martial Arts. In the United States MMA is commonly referred to as cage fighting due to the UFC events where fights took place withing an octagonal cage. Not all mixed martial arts events are held in a cage. Fights are also held in rings similar to those used for boxing or professional wrestling. It's important to note that the shape and surface of the fighting area can impact the techniques the fighters employ during the fight. Critics note that the presence of a cage contributes to the "bad boy" image of Mixed Martial Arts in the mainstream media. Ironically it is this same image that seems to attract many of the participants who want to prove themselves in the most brutal conditions without a lot of rules.