| Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, combines many | | | | competition. Although many critics have |
| different fighting techniques, including | | | | attempted to portray the MMA fighting style |
| grappling and striking, and high performance | | | | as violent and brutal, there has never been a |
| standards, particularly in the often intense, | | | | death or crippling injury in any sanctioned |
| and very popular MMA tournaments. The first | | | | MMA event in North America. |
| tournaments came about as a result of the | | | | |
| 1993 Ultimate Fighting Championship, which | | | | The U.S. state athletic and boxing committee |
| matched different fighting styles in a | | | | regulates the MMA, requiring participants and |
| competition where the rules were minimal and | | | | sponsors to adhere to a set of officially |
| the goal was to find the best fighters in the | | | | sanctioned rules and regulations, which |
| world. | | | | include rules for knockout, submission, |
| | | | technical knockout, the ten point system, |
| The success of this mixed martial arts combat | | | | disqualification, and no contest. |
| style led to the development and | | | | |
| implementation of rules designed to keep | | | | Common fouls include: clawing, twisting and |
| athletes safe and deflect early criticism of | | | | pinching flesh; small joint manipulation; |
| the sport while still holding on to the | | | | attacking an opponent from or on the break in |
| original concept of the UFC as much as | | | | the care of an official, attacking the groin |
| possible. The modern MMA tournaments have | | | | or trachea, fish-hooking, biting, and hair |
| their roots in the Vale tudo martial arts | | | | pulling, spitting, use of abusive language, |
| tournaments held in Brazil by the Gracie | | | | and other similar acts. |
| family beginning in the 1920s, and the | | | | |
| preliminary martial arts tournaments hosted | | | | The MMA continues to grow in popularity and |
| in Japan by Antonio Inoki in the early 1970s. | | | | reputation, as athletes associated with the |
| | | | sport have also gained reputation and renown, |
| There are several different competition | | | | as well as successful careers and endorsement |
| techniques, including striking techniques, | | | | deals. |
| like kicks, punches, and knees, and grappling | | | | |
| techniques, like pinning holds, submission | | | | With mainstream acceptance, worldwide |
| holds, clinch holds, takedowns, throws and | | | | acclaim, and an every growing fan base, what |
| sweeps. | | | | started as an abstract concept has become an |
| | | | established sport and a successful platform |
| The permissibility and legality of certain | | | | from which many athletic careers have been |
| other techniques like head butts, spinal | | | | launched. The future of the MMA appears to be |
| locks, and elbows vary according to the | | | | bright, and the popularity of the sport even |
| specific organization and sponsored | | | | more so. |