The various fighting styles and techniques found in the world of martial arts have been honed and perfected over many years. Today, there even exists a full contact sport known as mixed martial arts fighting, that incorporates a large variety of techniques such as grappling and striking during tournaments and sparring sessions. The founding of mixed martial arts can be traced to the formation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993. This prestigious tournament brought fighters from around the world together in never before seen matches featuring fighters of widely differing fighting styles, in order to determine who was the better fighter. As the tournament aimed to determine which fighting style would fare best if fighters were truly faced with life and death scenarios requiring hand-to-hand combat, competitions incorporated few rules and regulations.
In truth, however, mixed martial arts fighting is not a new idea. In the late 1800s, Bartitsu already provided proof of the existence of mixed martial arts. Bruce Lee, an enormously famous martial artist, developed his own unique fighting style that was a combination of the styles, techniques, and theories of various fighting forms. The founding of mixed martial arts tournaments can be traced back to the Gracie family's vale tudo tournament organized in Brazil in the 1920s. Since then, however, mixed martial arts tournaments were few and far between up to the formation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, which brought the international spotlight to bear on the sport again.
In an effort to encourage safe fighting during competitions, rules have been applied to mixed martial arts fighting tournaments. Like boxers, fighters must be licensed in order to participate in sanctioned events, and they must undergo physical examinations on a regular basis before being allowed to fight. There is no oversight committee, however, and the rules vary from one tournament to the other. While there was some speculation of the sport being included in the 2004 Olympics as a medal sport, all of the new sports were removed from that Olympics due to size constraints at the venue.
The two main categeories of techniques by which fighters are judged in mixed martial arts fighting competitions are striking and grappling. Striking techniques encompass punches, kicks, and the use of the knees to take down an opponent. Grappling techniques encompass sweeps, holds, throws, and takedown methods used by fighters of each martial arts style. Moves such as biting, small joint manipulation, eye-gouging, and fish-hooking are disallowed during competitions regardless of whether a particular style of fighting considers them legal or not. Other illegal moves during sanctioned events include strikes to the groin, spinal locks, head butts, and elbowing.
A victor may be declared if there a knockout, concession by one fighter, stoppage of the match by the match referee or fight doctor, or "throwing in of the towel" by a fighter's corner man in order to protect his or her fighter from serious injury. Should none of these happen and a match reach the time limit, a winner will be called by the judges based on various criteria. In similar fashion as boxing, all fights take place in a ring, and each fighter has a corner man to assist him or her between rounds.
In truth, however, mixed martial arts fighting is not a new idea. In the late 1800s, Bartitsu already provided proof of the existence of mixed martial arts. Bruce Lee, an enormously famous martial artist, developed his own unique fighting style that was a combination of the styles, techniques, and theories of various fighting forms. The founding of mixed martial arts tournaments can be traced back to the Gracie family's vale tudo tournament organized in Brazil in the 1920s. Since then, however, mixed martial arts tournaments were few and far between up to the formation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, which brought the international spotlight to bear on the sport again.
In an effort to encourage safe fighting during competitions, rules have been applied to mixed martial arts fighting tournaments. Like boxers, fighters must be licensed in order to participate in sanctioned events, and they must undergo physical examinations on a regular basis before being allowed to fight. There is no oversight committee, however, and the rules vary from one tournament to the other. While there was some speculation of the sport being included in the 2004 Olympics as a medal sport, all of the new sports were removed from that Olympics due to size constraints at the venue.
The two main categeories of techniques by which fighters are judged in mixed martial arts fighting competitions are striking and grappling. Striking techniques encompass punches, kicks, and the use of the knees to take down an opponent. Grappling techniques encompass sweeps, holds, throws, and takedown methods used by fighters of each martial arts style. Moves such as biting, small joint manipulation, eye-gouging, and fish-hooking are disallowed during competitions regardless of whether a particular style of fighting considers them legal or not. Other illegal moves during sanctioned events include strikes to the groin, spinal locks, head butts, and elbowing.
A victor may be declared if there a knockout, concession by one fighter, stoppage of the match by the match referee or fight doctor, or "throwing in of the towel" by a fighter's corner man in order to protect his or her fighter from serious injury. Should none of these happen and a match reach the time limit, a winner will be called by the judges based on various criteria. In similar fashion as boxing, all fights take place in a ring, and each fighter has a corner man to assist him or her between rounds.
Dave Tessevich
[http://www.themmafightsite.com]
For more articles, information, and resources on mixed martial arts fighting, visit The MMA Fight Site [http://www.themmafightsite.com]
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For more articles, information, and resources on mixed martial arts fighting, visit The MMA Fight Site [http://www.themmafightsite.com]