Various Techniques In Mixed Martial Arts

By Frank Wilson


Mixed martial arts (MMA) has been around for a long time but until recently very few people knew of its existence. It is a sport incorporating various martial arts techniques including Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling, karate, judo, boxing, kungfu and Sambo. Competitors use these striking and grappling arts both while standing and while on the ground. The sport is gaining popularity by the day not just within the United States but even beyond.



There is a close relationship between modern mixed martial arts and a sport that frequently featured in ancient Olympics known as Panktrion. The sport started gaining popularity in the early 1900s in many countries in the Europe, in the Pacific Rim and in Japan. The Gracie family founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993 by the Gracie family gave the sport global recognition. Since then, it has been increasing in popularity by the day.

The earlier forms of the sport were somewhat disorganized with very minimal laws. The main technique used by competitors of the time was Vale Tudo which had begun in Brazil during the 1920s. Because of the associated injuries especially to the weaker competitors, there was need to formulate a set of rules to regulate the contests. There was also need to make it conform to the law.

Like any other athletes these athletes need a great deal of exercising and constant training if they are to be highly competitive. Most fighters train with multiple coaches so as to perfect their skills in the various disciplines. Emphasis is placed on speed drills, cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, endurance and flexibility.

The rules regulating the sport have been modified to accommodate female competitors. Some of these modifications include a change of existing rules so as to increase safety such limiting the amount of time for ground fighting and holding the bouts of women at shorter periods of time than is the case for men. Weight classes for women are also different from those of their male counterparts. Women events are fairly commonest in Japan where they have been around since the mid-1990s.

Victory in a contest may be gained in a number of ways. The usual way is for judges to announce the winner after the time allocated elapses. At times, however, the contest has to be stopped when the weaker contestant is at risk of excessive injury in which case their competitor is declared the winner. This is done by either the ring doctor or the referee. Submission by a competitor means that they lose. The other possible decision is disqualification of competitors that violate the set rules.

There are a number of health risks attributable to mixed martial arts. Among them, is an increase in injuries. The rate is as common as that seen with boxing and other combat sports. Luckily though, there is a lower risk of suffering from traumatic brain injury. In the long term one may suffer from memory loss.




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