| What does boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu and judo all have | | | | culminating together to make an artful form of |
| in common? The answer is that they are all used in | | | | self-defense. |
| mixed martial arts. Elements of all of these combat | | | | The sanctioning of mixed martial arts brought the sport |
| sports come together to make up the moves and | | | | into the spotlight in the mid to late 1990's. Since then it |
| holds that are used in MMA, the sport that spawned | | | | has earned the respect of sports fans everywhere. |
| the UFC. More and more people in the Maryland, | | | | The once bloody and brutal bouts ended and a more |
| Virginia and Washington D.C. areas want to | | | | discerning athlete rose from the masses of the ranks. |
| experience the effects and benefits of MMA. | | | | Although MMA is still considered by some to be a |
| Mixed martial arts is a sport that, over the past few | | | | violent sport, it is no more violent than gymnastics, |
| years, has seen its numbers continue to grow in | | | | football, hockey or other sports in terms of injuries. As |
| thanks to the Ultimate Fighting Championships and | | | | a matter of fact, MMA is less dangerous in terms of |
| television coverage. However, MMA is more than | | | | injuries than other contact sports. The biggest concern |
| fighting, more than a bar-room brawl or a free for all. It | | | | with MMA is a laceration or a sprain, unlike the spinal |
| is suitable for all walks of life and all ages, sizes and | | | | cord injuries or brain injuries of other contact sports. |
| ethnic backgrounds. You use more of your brain to do | | | | The sport of mixed martial arts has evolved from the |
| mixed martial arts than you do brute strength. | | | | myths that were once believed to be true and risen |
| There are benefits to MMA that all ages enjoy such | | | | into a highly respected art form. You have only to |
| as improved fitness, core exercises, some weight | | | | participate in the training to realize that this is an art |
| training and even cardio vascular benefits that helps | | | | form that teaches self-control, respect, along with |
| not only to improve your fitness but helps with | | | | exercise that benefits the heart and the body. Talk to |
| endurance and technique as well. It is structured more | | | | one of your local MMA instructors about enrolling into a |
| around aerobics than fighting. Weight training helps | | | | mixed martial arts school. You can only benefit from |
| when you are grappling or rolling around, pushing, pulling | | | | the exercise and life lessons that these classes teach |
| and moving your body. | | | | and learn self-defense, a self-preserving method of |
| Mixed martial arts is somewhat new to the United | | | | protecting oneself against attack or assault on any |
| States having been banned by some states until the | | | | level. Enroll the whole family for support and family fun. |
| UFC sanctioned it with new relative rules and television | | | | You can try out Lloyd Irvin's, Mixed Martial Arts |
| stations began televising fights. It has quickly been | | | | Academies if you're interested in pursuing mixed |
| found to be a great method of self-defense for | | | | martial arts. They offer a 30 day free trial program on |
| women and children. Several tried and true fighting | | | | any of the MMA programs, and have locations in the |
| techniques of a number of combative sports | | | | Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC area. |