| Have you seen the Ultimate Fighting Championship? If | | | | coming boxers, a mixed martial arts version came out |
| you have, then you already know why this sport uses | | | | soon after. Here, amateur fighters are trained by |
| mixed martial arts. For those who have no idea, here | | | | professionals and compete in elimination matches until |
| are some facts you should know about. | | | | the last two standing fight for the title of the Ultimate |
| Mixed martial arts made its introduction in early 1990's. | | | | Fighter. |
| Its growth was very slow at first and it was always | | | | Mixed martial arts has spread throughout the globe. |
| both brutal and violent. In the years that followed, rules | | | | They are called by different names as well. In Japan, it |
| were set up which helped gain its popularity among the | | | | is called PRIDE. The ring and the rules may be |
| audience which enabled television channels to | | | | different but its essence remains the same. |
| broadcast it in the airwaves. | | | | What you see is what you get when two fighters |
| Despite the rules, matches between two fighters are | | | | enter the ring. This means there is no script and |
| still violent. Some leave the ring with a broken arm or | | | | everything you see is real. If a fighter goes down, it is |
| leg while others have cuts or bruises. The only good | | | | because one fighter was better skilled then than the |
| news is that no one has died yet in the ring unlike | | | | other. |
| boxing. Just to give you an idea, there are at least 11 | | | | Mixed martial arts is growing despite the fact that it |
| boxers who die every year. | | | | was once banned in television by Senator McCain. |
| The reason why you call it mixed martial arts is | | | | Experts believe that it will peak in the next 15 to 20 |
| because a fighter for instance in judo challenges | | | | years and who knows; this sport may one day be part |
| another fighter in another martial art discipline. The key | | | | of the Olympics. |
| to winning depends on your technique and your | | | | But despite what you see on television, mixed martial |
| conditioning. | | | | arts is a great form of exercise and it also teaches |
| Mixed martial arts are now more popular than boxing | | | | you about self defense. This is very useful regardless |
| or wrestling. In one show, it made $30 million and the | | | | of your age or gender because criminals attack when |
| company owned by the Fertita brothers is now worth | | | | they think you are vulnerable. |
| $700 million. | | | | As a result, a lot of gyms offer classes to their |
| The athletes who also participate in these matches | | | | members. Other benefits of learning mixed martial arts |
| get paid very well. One example is Diego Sanchez | | | | include building your self confidence and making you |
| who was given $7,000 for a fight. If he won the match, | | | | strong both mentally and physically. Children can also |
| he gets an additional $7,000. You could earn more | | | | learn it so they can defend themselves if ever |
| depending on your skill. Top rated fighters can get | | | | someone at school decides to pick on them which is |
| $200,000 or even more for just one fight. | | | | something that no parent wants their child to |
| If you saw the Contender which featured Sylvester | | | | experience. |
| Stallone, Sugar Ray Leonard and a few up and | | | | |