| Mixed martial arts is growing in popularity ever since | | | | This can be done just to work up a sweat instead of |
| rules were implemented for the safety of those in the | | | | lifting weights or running on the treadmill. Those who |
| ring and you can now watch it on television. It captures | | | | are serious train hard so they will be able to join a |
| an audience both young and old since what happens | | | | competition and win. |
| either in the cage or ring is not scripted unlike wrestling. | | | | But did this craze really start 15 years ago? The |
| There are two main styles of MMA. These are sport | | | | answer is no because mixed martial arts was known |
| and street. In sport, two unarmed competitors fight it | | | | by a different name more than 2,000 years ago when |
| out using the same or different martial art discipline. | | | | this was first introduced by the Greeks during their |
| Here, you can't bite, insert fingers to any bodily | | | | Olympic Games and that time, this was known as |
| crevices, attack the groin and eye gouging. In street, | | | | Pankration. |
| you are allowed to use a weapon of your choice but | | | | There is no doubt that mixed martial arts as a sport is |
| the first is more popular that the other. | | | | growing. You can see this in the number of fans who |
| Just to prove how popular mixed martial arts is, | | | | watch it, the sales revenue which happens to be much |
| various organizations have been formed since the | | | | higher than that of boxing and wrestling, the |
| Ultimate Fighting Championships was established in | | | | establishment of academies and gyms as well as the |
| 1993. There is PRIDE, International Fighting | | | | founding of organizations both local and abroad. |
| Championships and Elite XC. | | | | There was even a move to make this an Olympic |
| You can watch UFC fights on pay per view which is | | | | sport in 2004 when the games were held in Greece |
| featured in Spike TV. Elite XC airs their events after | | | | but this was not added since there were concerns |
| striking a deal with CBS entitled "Saturday Night Fights." | | | | that this venue will not be able to host a list of other |
| Aside from its popularity on television, there is an | | | | new sports. |
| increase in the sale of mixed martial arts merchandise | | | | Four years later, the recently concluded Beijing |
| especially in the form of videos which fans can take | | | | Olympics did not also have mixed martial arts as one |
| home. There are also websites which feature | | | | of the new sports. Despite that, there are still fighters |
| upcoming competitions, blogs, forums and everything | | | | willing to make a name for themselves using the other |
| else related to this sport. | | | | organizations since these events are shown all over |
| Some fans who have become engrossed in this sport | | | | the world with millions watching even if the International |
| have signed up in gyms that offer this in their classes. | | | | Olympic Committee has not yet approved it. |