About MMA

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a multi-dimensional, full contact combat sport in which competitors utilize a variety of fighting techniques to defeat their challenger.

The roots of MMA can be traced back to the ancient Greek Olympics, when Pankration (meaning "sport of all holds") combined the best techniques and skills of multiple disciplines by incorporating striking, boxing, kicking, wrestling and submissions to find a champion. The sport was then revitalized years later in Brazil through the Vale Tudo ("anything goes") competition. Today, thanks to the popularity of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (U.F.C.), mixed martial arts has, once again, become a dominant sporting event.

Once portrayed as a bloody and brutal competition, mixed martial arts today is considered, by many, to be one of the most demanding and challenging sports in the world. Competitors are world class athletes who are required to master multiple martial arts disciplines and seamlessly incorporate them while in intense competition. Physical and mental strength are equally as important and intense training is required on a level unparalleled to most other sports. Even then, one mistake can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Mixed martial arts promotions are required to meet the strictest of safety requirements and rules today focus on fighter safety. Now a true mainstream sport, MMA is formally practiced in Canada by children as young as four years old. The most effective and highly practiced mixed martial arts techniques include: striking (stand-up), grappling (Jiu Jitsu), wrestling and ground fighting.

SAFETY

As the sport evolved, it became evident that the rules needed to evolve with it. Fighter safety became a priority along with promoting exciting, engaging events for maximum entertainment.

Rule changes were so effective that the sport saw a significant decrease in athlete injuries; this allowed fighters to train more consistently and better develop their skills. The result is not only a safer, more entertaining sport but today's mixed martial artists are considered true professional athletes, having more highly developed skills (overall) and better conditioning than the original U.F.C. athletes from the early 1990s.

LEGALIZING

Today mixed martial arts is legal in 43 of the 50 U.S. states and currently under review in at least three of the remaining seven states. Canada has begun to follow suit; MMA is legal in seven provinces and under review in three (the other three provinces do not have an athletic commission).

The primary concern for legalizing MMA seems to be fighter safety and lack of true education to the sport. Mixed martial arts is now not only the fastest growing sport in the world, but considered to be a true mainstream sport with world class athletes.

TYPES OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

Striking - Can include punching, kicking, elbows and knees; can be performed during stand up fighting and ground fighting.

Common forms include: boxing, karate, kickboxing, muay thai, taw kwondo

Grappling - Techniques applied to an opponent to gain an advantage or escape dangerous situations (Wikipedia); general term that encompasses several disciplines; does not include striking

Can include: clinching, takedowns, throws, submissions, pinning and controlling, escapes and sweeps

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - A form of martial arts that focuses on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds; utilized to counter the advantage larger, stronger opponents may have striking

Wrestling - One of the oldest forms of martial arts; involves grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws, takedowns and holds

Types of wrestling - Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Submission

Ground Fighting - Hand-to-hand combat on the ground; often referred to as ground work or ground game; includes striking
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taken from W1MMA

Featured Fighter

Michelle Tyler is 0-0-0 in their professional career.