| Copyright (c) 2007 James Liu | | | | an extent that he/she can no longer fight properly. |
| Mixed martial arts, better known as MMA, is a form of | | | | Competitors participating in MMA have to train |
| sports that involves the use of a mixture of martial art | | | | themselves in a variety of fighting styles so that they |
| combat techniques to win over the opponent. MMA | | | | can effectively overcome their opponents. MMA |
| has become very popular in recent years and MMA | | | | training usually involves stand up, clinch and ground |
| championships like the "UFC" or Ultimate Fighting | | | | combat. To make the stand up combat effective, |
| Championships have become very popular. MMA | | | | boxing and kickboxing are taught. These improve |
| began with pitting one martial art technique with | | | | kicking, punching, kneeing and most important of |
| another under minimal rules, so that the martial art | | | | all-footwork. Freestyle wrestling is taught to improve |
| which would be the most effective in day to day life | | | | clinching. Additionally, competitors are trained in Muay |
| could be found. Modern mixed martial competitions | | | | Thai to improve the striking power during a clinch. |
| have evolved from such events, but rules are much | | | | Training in Brazilian Jujitsu and Sambo improves ground |
| stricter due to which, the sport has been promoted into | | | | combat by improving the competitor's positioning. |
| acceptance. However, there is no centralized | | | | Further, shoot wrestling, catch wrestling and judo are |
| sanctioning authority for mixed martial arts and the | | | | taught to enhance the competitor's ground combat |
| rules vary from place to place or organization to | | | | abilities. |
| organization. | | | | Some of the best competitors are well rounded |
| Striking and grappling are the common techniques used | | | | fighters. But, they all specialize really well in one aspect |
| in MMA. Striking techniques involve kicks, knees and | | | | of mixed martial arts. Sometimes this style is so |
| punches while grappling techniques involve the use of | | | | dominant that it is overwhelming for the other |
| holds, sweeps and throws. Techniques like | | | | opponent. |
| eye-gouging, biting and fish hooking are considered | | | | Success in modern martial arts lies in adapting many |
| illegal in most MMA competitions. Other techniques like | | | | styles. These styles have to be altered accordingly. |
| head butts, spinal locks and elbows may or may not | | | | Today, MMA competitors do not train in a particular |
| be considered legal in different MMA organizations. | | | | style but train all the styles together. Flexibility plays a |
| In MMA competitions, victory is based on the judge's | | | | very important role in succeeding in MMA competitions. |
| decision, submission or knockout. A competitor's corner | | | | MMA is physically a very demanding sport and being |
| man can also decide the outcome of the match and | | | | competent is the only key to success. |
| so can the match doctor if the competitor is injured to | | | | |