Mixed Martial Arts is Growing

Mixed martial arts is growing in popularity ever sinceThis can be done just to work up a sweat instead of
rules were implemented for the safety of those in thelifting weights or running on the treadmill. Those who
ring and you can now watch it on television. It capturesare serious train hard so they will be able to join a
an audience both young and old since what happenscompetition 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 sportanswer is no because mixed martial arts was known
and street. In sport, two unarmed competitors fight itby 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 bodilyOlympic 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 butThere 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 thehigher than that of boxing and wrestling, the
Ultimate Fighting Championships was established inestablishment of academies and gyms as well as the
1993. There is PRIDE, International Fightingfounding 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 issport in 2004 when the games were held in Greece
featured in Spike TV. Elite XC airs their events afterbut 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 annew sports.
increase in the sale of mixed martial arts merchandiseFour years later, the recently concluded Beijing
especially in the form of videos which fans can takeOlympics did not also have mixed martial arts as one
home. There are also websites which featureof the new sports. Despite that, there are still fighters
upcoming competitions, blogs, forums and everythingwilling 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 sportthe 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.