| Mixed martial arts, better known as MMA, is a form of | | | | are taught. These improve kicking, punching, kneeing |
| sports that involves the use of a mixture of martial art | | | | and most important of all-footwork. Freestyle wrestling |
| combat techniques to win over the opponent. MMA | | | | is taught to improve clinching. Additionally, competitors |
| has become very popular in recent years and MMA | | | | are trained in Muay Thai to improve the striking power |
| championships like Ultimate fighting championship have | | | | during a clinch. Training in Brazilian Jujitsu and Sambo |
| become very widely known. MMA began with pitting | | | | improves ground combat by improving the competitor's |
| one martial art technique with another under minimal | | | | positioning. Further, shoot wrestling, catch wrestling and |
| rules, so that the martial art which would be the most | | | | judo are taught to enhance the competitor's ground |
| effective in day to day life could be found out. Modern | | | | combat abilities. Success in modern martial arts lies in |
| mixed martial competitions have evolved from such | | | | adapting many styles. These styles have to be altered |
| events, but rules are much stricter due to which, the | | | | accordingly. Today, MMA competitors do not train in a |
| sport has been promoted into acceptance. However, | | | | particular style but train all the styles together. Flexibility |
| there is no centralized sanctioning authority for mixed | | | | plays a very important role in succeeding in MMA |
| martial arts and the rules vary from place to place or | | | | competitions. MMA is physically a very demanding |
| organization to organization. Striking and grappling are | | | | sport and being competent is the only key to success. |
| the common techniques used in MMA. Striking | | | | Many mixed martial artist train too hard and |
| techniques involve kicks, knees and punches while | | | | experience injuries at an alarming rate. The trend now |
| grappling techniques involve the use of holds, sweeps | | | | is to use technical training as a way to avoid injuries |
| and throws. Techniques like eye-gouging, biting and fish | | | | and be healthy for the next event. Since there is more |
| hooking are considered illegal in most MMA | | | | money pouring into these events, the longevity of the |
| competitions. Other techniques like head butts, spinal | | | | fighters is important for themselves and the event |
| locks and elbows may or may not be considered legal | | | | promoter. Therefore, smarter training methods have |
| in different MMA organizations. In MMA competitions, | | | | been employed instead of the "train till you drop" |
| victory is based on the judge's decision, submission or | | | | methodology that has been in place for years. In the |
| knockout. A competitor's corner man can also deicide | | | | past, Senator John McCain has been an opponent to |
| the outcome of the match and so can the match | | | | the mixed martial arts events. It will be interesting if he |
| doctor if the competitor is injured to an extent that he | | | | becomes President of the United States whether he |
| she can no longer fight properly. Competitors | | | | will focus on these events and try to shake the |
| participating in MMA have to train themselves in a | | | | foundation of the industry. |
| variety of fighting styles so that they can effectively | | | | John Galt is an instructor at Orange County Jiu Jitsu |
| overcome their opponents. MMA training usually | | | | and MMA located in Lake Forest, California. Orange |
| involves stand up, clinch and ground combat. To make | | | | County Jiu Jitsu and MMA is the premier center for |
| the stand up combat effective, boxing and kickboxing | | | | MMA and BJJ training. |