The characteristics of mixed martial arts
MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts, which deals with full contact combat and is a combination of the techniques of many other forms of fighting. This form of martial arts is particularly popular because it has scope for all forms of fighting styles. The combination of world famous karate with lesser known street fighting styles makes it highly entertaining and full of energy.
The basic principles of it deal with grappling and hitting techniques. This is the reason why it is possible to undertake this form of wrestling when the opponents or competitors are on the ground or standing on the ground. This is not possible with other forms of martial arts like boxing, kickboxing and others.
One might wonder how this concept of Mixed Martial Arts originated and where. The first time such an art form was exhibited was in ancient Greece, where very few rules were imposed on wrestlers. The Olympic Games of 648 a. C. also included this form of fighting calling it pankration. As time passed, the style evolved into a more intense and violent form and became known as the Roman and Etruscan pancratium. This was practiced in the Roman Colosseum.
It was in the 1800s that music-hall tournaments and challenges across Europe celebrated a no-holds-barred event that attracted many fighters, each belonging to a different region and practicing a new form of martial art.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament is held in high esteem in the present times. MMA is one of the art forms that take place here. A host of submission and knockout fighters show up at the event to be a part of this free-for-all competition.
The popularity of MMA in Japan gave rise to the Pride Fighting Championship, a popular martial arts tournament not only in Japan but also in other parts of the world.
The United States Army also created the Army Combat Championships, which is a mixed martial arts competition hosted by the US Army Combat School.
By December 2006, MMA fame had reached North America. This was due to the rematch between former champion Tito Ortiz and UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. This event attracted a lot of people who paid to see it. This fight helped the UFC buy out and merge with the Pride of Japan Championship Fighting.
The popularity of the style has led to many developments in the fighting techniques of different fighters from around the world. This evolution has proven to be very substantial in the last 10 years.
The early form included a lot of traditional sumo and kickboxing. However, with evolution, these traditional styles have been replaced by new ones.
Submission wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and amateur wrestling were the three most important styles during the UFC’s early years. Over time, these styles were mixed with other forms of martial arts. The wrestlers use their own combinations of grappling, striking, kicking, punching, and submission techniques.
In order to be all rounders, the wrestlers began cross training which involves training all grappling and submission techniques. The reputation of mixed martial arts has greatly increased since its invention and is expected to increase in the coming years. It is the only form of martial art that does not have many rules governing it.