MMA - Mixed Martial Arts

The ultimate self-defense system! Mixed martial arts was originally based around the concept of pitting different martial arts and fighting styles against each other in competition with minimal rules, in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real combat situation. This was in an effort to answer the age-old question that had plagued martial artists for generations: which style is 'the best'. Finally, in the 90s the question was put to rest, as the world witnessed one confrontation after another going to a grappling type scenario on the ground, and Jiu Jitsu dominating virtually every MMA event. Eventually, strikers would adapt their game to include ground fighting, as well as the ability to prevent being taken down. Now, MMA refers to the cross training of various arts, like a triathalon of self-defense. As such, modern MMA competition is an evolution of such events, but rules have been implemented to promote acceptance of the sport, while at the same time maintaining as much of the original no-holds-barred concept as possible.

The techniques utilized in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws). Some unarmed hand to hand combat techniques are considered illegal in arguably all modern MMA competition, such as biting, eye-gouging, fish-hooking and small joint manipulation.

As a result of the MMA sporting events, martial arts training and the understanding of the combat effectiveness of various strategies have changed dramatically over the last ten years. MMA competition has indicated that there are three distinct phases in unarmed fighting:

• Stand-up fighting
• Clinch fighting
• Ground fighting

Mixed martial artists today train in a variety of styles that have been proven effective in the ring, so that they can be effective in all the phases of combat.

Although MMA fighters will try to play to their particular specialties, they will inevitably encounter all kinds of situations; a stand-up fighting specialist will probably get taken down at some point and a submission artist might need to fight standing-up for a while before he can complete a takedown.

MMA competition requires training in striking, wrestling, and submission fighting.

• Stand-up: Boxing, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai are trained to improve footwork, elbowing, kicking, kneeing and punching.
  
• Clinch: Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo and Judo are trained to improve clinching, takedowns and throws, while Muay Thai is trained to improve the striking aspect of the clinch.
  
• Ground: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shoot wrestling, Catch wrestling, Judo and Sambo are trained to improve submission holds, and defense against them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and styles of Amateur wrestling are trained to improve positioning.
  Many styles have to be adapted slightly for use in the sport. For example, several boxing stances are ineffective because they leave fighters vulnerable to leg kicks or takedowns. Similarly judo techniques have to be adapted to an opponent not wearing a judogi.

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