| Mixed martial arts, often referred to as MMA, | | | | opponent behind the neck or head, usually |
| is currently a growing phenomenon in the | | | | with fingers interlaced, and pulling forward |
| United States, though the sport has been | | | | and downward. From this position, fighters |
| popular in many other countries for decades. | | | | can utilize knees to the body or head and |
| MMA brings together a diverse array of | | | | dictate the positioning of the opponent. |
| fighting disciplines into one competitive | | | | |
| arena hence the sport's name. Regulated to | | | | Another huge aspect of mixed martial arts is |
| ensure fighter safety, MMA now allows us to | | | | ground fighting. It is very common for a |
| view a much richer human combat experience, | | | | fight to end up on the ground at some point |
| pitting disciplines from around the globe | | | | during the competition. Wrestlers usually |
| against each other in the ultimate one on one | | | | favor attempting to get their foe to the |
| competition. Often compared and contrasted to | | | | ground so that submissions can be attempted. |
| boxing, MMA offers dimensions not found in | | | | Taking a fight to the ground also nullifies |
| boxing such as take downs, kicks and | | | | much of an opponent's striking options and is |
| submission holds. While there are many | | | | usually a fighter's strategy when facing a |
| obscure disciplines and sub-styles, this | | | | superior striker. Once grounded and in a |
| article will outline the three broad combat | | | | dominate position, strikes can be used (also |
| situations that fighters find themselves in | | | | known as "ground and pound) or submissions |
| when competing in mixed martial arts. | | | | can be applied. |
| | | | |
| When most people think of a fight, striking | | | | Mixed martial arts incorporates so many |
| from a standing position is what immediately | | | | unique fighting disciplines and strategies |
| comes to mind. Indeed striking is a huge part | | | | that mastering one could be a life long |
| of the sport of MMA, namely punches, kicks, | | | | endeavor. Often, fighters will become |
| knees and elbows. Most MMA organizations have | | | | familiar with other styles not necessarily so |
| restrictions on where fighters may strike an | | | | that they can utilize them, but so that they |
| opponent and in what situation a strike is | | | | can defend against them. For instance, it |
| legal to apply. For instance, some | | | | isn't uncommon for strikers to learn |
| organizations do not allow strikes to the | | | | submissions even if they never plan to use |
| back of the head or spine and disallow kicks | | | | them. This enables the fighters to recognize |
| to the head of a downed opponent. Rules such | | | | and defend against holds that an opponent may |
| as these are helping the sport become more | | | | be setting up or attempting. |
| accepted by not only mainstream viewers, but | | | | |
| state athletic commissions as well. | | | | For years, people have debated which fighting |
| Kickboxing, Boxing and Muay Thai are fighting | | | | discipline is superior and MMA seems to be as |
| disciplines that place heavy emphasis on | | | | close to a true proving ground as there is. |
| striking, particularly from a standing | | | | So much depends on mastery and execution of |
| position. | | | | the discipline by the individual fighter |
| | | | however, not simply the discipline itself, as |
| Some disciplines, in particular Muay Thai, | | | | is evidenced by the diverse fighters that |
| rely on utilizing a standing position called | | | | have found success in this incredibly |
| "the clinch" to control and ultimately defeat | | | | exciting sport. |
| an adversary. The clinch involves gripping an | | | | |