The (MMA) Mixed Martial Arts

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