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