Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a hybrid fighting sport that allows fighters to compete in multiple different disciplines. These include boxing, kickboxing, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling and others. The combination of different styles makes for an intense and challenging sport that tests your physical and mental strength like no other. If you’re considering taking up MMA as a hobby or even as a profession, it’s important you understand exactly what the sport entails. At first glance, the idea of mixing so many different combat sports sounds very complicated, but once you get past the initial learning curve it’s not as difficult as it appears at first. In this article we will cover everything you need to know about Mixed Martial Arts to help get you started on your path to becoming a fighter before stepping into the Octagon.
What is the History of Mixed Martial Arts?
The idea of combining different fighting styles to create one hybrid sport is nothing new. In fact, most martial arts are a combination of several other fighting styles. A well-known example of this is jujitsu, which has its origins in judo, aikido, kendo and karate. Mixed martial arts as a sport first came about in the early 90s when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Rorion Gracie and his business partner Art Davie set out to create a hybrid fighting sport that would test the most effective martial arts on the planet. Gracie wanted to prove that his family fighting style was in fact the best on the planet. The first event was held in Denver, Colorado on 12th September 1993. The event was called “The Ultimate Fighting Championship” and featured martial artists competing in a mix of different disciplines. The only rules were no eye gouging, no biting and no hitting in the groin. The show received extremely poor reviews and was criticized by the media for its brutality and poor quality of fighting. This was largely due to the fact that none of the competitors had any experience in these fighting styles. Despite the negative reviews, the show managed to get a second season and by the third season the sport had gained a significant amount of popularity. The UFC has since become the most recognized brand in the sport of mixed martial arts and has become one of the most financially successful sports in the world.
The Basics of MMA
In order to understand the basics of MMA, you must first understand the different disciplines that it is composed of. In most cases, these disciplines will be representative of striking and grappling techniques as well as strategies for winning a fight. Boxing – Boxing is the most basic of all the disciplines that are used in MMA. Essentially, it is a stand-up striking art that involves using your fists to hit your opponent. Boxing is a sport that is generally governed by the rules of a standard match, but it can also have a number of different variations. Wrestling – Wrestling is a grappling art that involves using your strength and technique in order to pin your opponent to the ground or take them to the ground. There are a number of different wrestling disciplines that are used in MMA including freestyle, Greco-Roman, folkstyle and others. Wrestling is one of the most important disciplines in MMA as it is what is used in order to get your opponent to the ground. Jiu-Jitsu – Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling art that involves the use of technique and skill to achieve a submission hold that causes your opponent to submit. The most common submission holds used in Jiu-Jitsu include joint locks and chokeholds.
The Rules of MMA
The rules of MMA are different depending on which governing body you are fighting under. In general, the rules are designed to protect the fighters while also allowing the sport to remain exciting and challenging. The rules are also designed to ensure that no one fighter has an unfair advantage over another.
- Rounds – MMA fights consist of three five-minute rounds, with one-minute breaks in between each round. The breaks are designed to give the fighters a chance to recover and reset for the next round.
- Types of Fights – MMA fights can be either a one-on-one fight or a three-on-three team fight. The one-on-one fight is the most common type of fight and is what the professionals compete in.
- Weight Categories – In order to make all the fighters on the card fair and even, most governing bodies have weight classes. In some cases, the governing bodies even have different weight categories for male and female fighters. The weight categories are designed to allow each fighter to compete at their optimal fighting weight.
Types of MMA Fights
These are the five most common scenarios of MMA fights:
- Stand-Up – This is a scenario that takes place on the feet with no grappling or takedowns (though a Thai clinch is technically grappling) . The fighters will stand facing each other trying to find an opening and cause damage with their hands and feet.
- Ground and Pound – This fight refers to a situation where one fighter is on top of their opponent trying to inflict damage with strikes from the top position.
- Submission – A submission is when one fighter either gets a hold of their opponent or applies a lock on them and makes them surrender by causing them pain.
- Sparring – This type of fight is where no one is trying to win. This is for training purposes and is used to help improve the skills of both fighters.
- Draw – This is a scenario at the end of a fight where no one is declared the winner. Sometimes this is due to an injury that causes a stoppage, but in the case of a draw, the judges can award each fighter with a draw.
Pros and Cons of Fighting in MMA
Pros – There are many positive aspects of fighting in MMA, one of the most important being the challenge that it presents to you as a fighter. When you fight in MMA, you will be required to use a variety of different skills including striking, grappling, strategy and stamina. This means that you will be tested in areas where you might not be so great. When you are challenged in this way, it allows you to grow as a fighter in a way that you would not be able to in a different sport. Another great benefit of fighting in MMA is the money that you can make. MMA fighters are some of the best-paid athletes in the world and can make up to millions of dollars per fight.
Cons – The main negative aspect of fighting in MMA is that it can be a dangerous sport. You are putting yourself in a position where you could really hurt yourself or even be seriously injured. It is important that you are as prepared as much as possible for when this happens so you can minimize the effects. Another negative aspect of fighting in MMA is that it is a very competitive sport. It is difficult to get a contract with a top promotion like the UFC and even harder to stay there.
How to Train for an MMA Fight
There is no set way to train for a fight, but there are certain things that you should be doing if you want to be properly prepared for a fight. All of these things will vary depending on the type of fight you are preparing for, but the following things should be included in your training schedule: – Strength and Conditioning – The first thing that you should be doing as a fighter is working on your strength and conditioning. This is something that you should be doing on a daily basis to ensure that you are always prepared for your next fight. – Sparring – Sparring is one of the best ways to prepare for a fight. This is a way of fighting against an opponent that allows you to test your skills and get prepared for the actual fight. – Technique Training – While strength and conditioning are important, you should also be working on your technique. This is where you will practice the techniques that you will use during the fight to help you become more efficient.
Mixed Martial Arts Equipment
In addition to your training regimen, you will also need to purchase a number of other items for your fight training sessions.
- Gloves – Gloves are an important piece of equipment that every fighter should wear. This is to protect your hands from getting injured. There are different types of gloves available, including MMA gloves.
- Mouthguard – A mouthguard is another important piece of equipment that all fighters should wear. This is to protect your teeth and gums from getting injured during a fight. There are different types of mouthguards that are best suited to different sports.
- Shin guards – Shin guards are another item that you should always wear during a fight. This is to protect your shins from getting injured.
- Headgear – Headgear is another piece of equipment that can protect your head from abrasions. But you can still get knocked out while wearing headgear.