| MMA or Mixed Martial Arts is the only sport | | | | and elbows. Although the rules of mixed |
| that combines all of the most effective | | | | martial arts competitions are lax compared to |
| martial arts. It is the case since fighters | | | | other combat sports, there are some moves |
| have to use the art to win rather than to | | | | that are illegal in mixed martial art |
| train. The sport was first introduced by | | | | competitions. Fighters are not allowed to |
| Rorion Gracie who brought it up from Brazil | | | | bite, fish-hook, eye-gouge, manipulate small |
| in the 1980's. | | | | joints (fighters must have control of at |
| | | | least three digits), or strike at the groin. |
| MMA is a growing sport and will get more | | | | There are some techniques that are |
| popular with time. The idea of mixing | | | | questionable such head butts, elbows, and |
| different fighting techniques in one | | | | spinal locks. |
| competition was born in the 1920's and | | | | |
| originated in martial arts tournaments in | | | | Victories in a mixed martial art fight are |
| Brazil. Japan has created several MMA like | | | | determined by judges' decision, knockout, tap |
| events such as Pride and K-1. The idea of | | | | out, or the fight doctor or referee stopping |
| combining different fighting styles gained | | | | the fight due to serious injury. Senator John |
| popularity overseas in the 1970's as famous | | | | McCain was a big opponent of the sport in the |
| martial artist Bruce Lee embraced the idea of | | | | beginning. He found the sport to be too |
| combining different martial art styles in one | | | | harsh. However, there have never been any |
| fight. It was only since the birth of the UFC | | | | deaths in sanctioned fights in the United |
| that MMA was born. | | | | States. While boxing and wrestling are |
| | | | considered by many to be acceptable combat |
| Although Mixed Martial Arts has become | | | | sports, the no-holds-barred approach that |
| popular world wide, there is no sanctioning | | | | mixed martial arts competitions take make the |
| body for the competition and rules can vary | | | | sport out as brutal, when in actuality mixed |
| from each Mixed Martial Arts organization. | | | | martial arts fighters are some of the most |
| The techniques used in Mixed Martial Arts | | | | well trained and disciplined fighters in the |
| competitions fall between two categories. | | | | world. Even though many consider the sport to |
| Grappling techniques are used such as | | | | be barbaric, it has climbed to the top of |
| takedowns, throws, pinning holds, submission | | | | combat sport popularity and has a strong |
| holds, and cinch holds. Striking techniques | | | | following of fans as well as aspiring |
| are also used such as kicks, punches, knees | | | | fighters. |