Mixed Martial Arts 101

What is mma? Mma stands for mixed martial arts.for a take down. There are many more components
Mixed martial arts is the blending of two or moreto mma, but these are the basics. More will be
fighting systems. The most common styles combinedcovered in following articles.
are striking and ground techniques. In the early days ofMma Physical training. Along with their mma training,
mma competitions in the U.S., The ground fighters hadmost fighters incorporate a rigorous Physical training
an advantage because most of the stand up fightersprogram. Many fighters use weight training styles that
were not prepared if the fight went to the ground. Anincrease muscle endurance, cardio styles that include
interesting transformation took place. Stand up fightersrope skipping, sprints, and other high intensity activities.
began to train in submission fighting, ground fightersThe goal of this training is to prepare the fighter to
began to train in stand up, and a new breed of fighterwithstand several rounds and still have enough energy
was born into the world of mma in the U.S. It takesto fight efficiently.
special kind of person to compete in this highMma safety. To this day not one report of serious
demanding sport. Most of these famous fighters thatinjury or death has been reported during a sanctioned
you here of did not get there over night. Most of themmma fight. The same cannot be said for boxing. In
competed for a long time in smaller amateur circuits.mma events if you are knocked senseless you do not
There are several components to mma. Striking. This isget a standing count to recover and get pummeled
where the fighter attempts to punch, kick, elbow, orsome more. The referees are very careful not to let a
knee his opponent into a K.O., submission, or refereefighter get severely injured.
stoppage. Submission. This is when a fighter forces hisThe recent popularity of mma has come to be due to
opponent to "tap-out" (give up) due to a jointthe popularity of a certain reality show. Mma is a
manipulation technique such as an arm bar, or adifficult sport to be involved in and requires a lot of
strangulation technique like a rear naked choke. Groundphysical and mental training. It also requires a lot of time
and pound. A fighter takes down his opponent, mountsto reach the level of the guys that you see on TV.
him, and pummels him with strikes until a K.O. orMma stars are not made over night. Most of them
referee stoppage. Take down. When a fighter takeshave spent a lot of time competing in smaller amateur
his opponent to the mat with intention of submission orcircuits.
ground and pound. Sprawl. A tactic used when anMma events are exciting to watch and lets man get in
opponent shoots in for a take down. The defendingtouch with his inner self seeing modern day gladiators
opponent will place his hands on the shoulders of thego toe to toe with respect in a modern day coliseum!
attacker and sprawl his legs out behind him to preventThis article is meant for informational purposes only
the take down. Shoot. To dive in on an opponent's legsand is not instruction.