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Mixed martial arts ('''MMA''') is a Combat Sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including Striking and Grappling . OVERVIEW is an intrinsic part of the sport.]] A victory in a bout is normally gained by the judges' decision after an allotted amount of time has elapsed, a stoppage by the referee or the fight doctor (in the event that the competitor is injured or can no longer defend himself intelligently), a Submission , by a competitor's Cornerman throwing in the towel, or by Knockout . HISTORY Pre-modern was an ancient form of unarmed Hand To Hand Combat resembling modern MMA.]] Boxing vs. Jujutsu contests were popular entertainments throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s. In Japan these contests were known as Merikan, from the Japanese slang for "American {Link without Title} ". Merikan contests were fought under a variety of rules including points decision, best of three throws or knockdowns, and victory via knockout or submission. Professional wrestling died out after ", in which the fighters actually competed, and " Show ," which evolved into modern Sports Entertainment Professional Wrestling . Modern 180-lb fighter '', Nov. 17, 1999.]] Modern mixed martial arts tournaments are rooted in two interconnected movements. First were the vale tudo events in Brazil , followed by the Japan ese Shoot Wrestling shows. Vale Tudo began in the 1920s with the " Gracie Challenge " issued by Carlos Gracie and Hélio Gracie and upheld later on by descendants of the Gracie family. In Japan in the 1970s , a series of mixed martial arts matches were hosted by Antonio Inoki , inspiring the shoot-style movement in Japanese Professional Wrestling , which eventually led to the formation of the first mixed martial arts organizations, such as Shooto , which was formed in 1985. The concept of combining the elements of multiple martial arts was pioneered and popularized by Bruce Lee in the late 1960's to early 1970's. Lee believed that "the best fighter is not a Boxer, Karate or Judo man. The best fighter is someone who can adapt to any style." His innovative concepts have been recognized by UFC President Dana White, who called him the "father of mixed martial arts."Wickert, Marc. 2004. ''Dana White and the future of UFC''. kucklepit.com. See Wikiquotes for the text. Mixed martial arts gained significant international exposure and widespread publicity in the United States in 1993, when Royce Gracie won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, sparking a revolution in the martial arts. In Japan in 1997, the continued interest in the sport eventually resulted in the creation of the PRIDE Fighting Championships . (right) and Tito Ortiz broke PPV records with their rematch at UFC 66 .]] The United States Army began to sanction Mixed Martial arts when the US Army Combatives School held the first annual All Army Combatives Championships in Nov 2005. Evolution of fighters The early years of the sport saw the widest possible variety of traditional styles—everything from Sumo to Kickboxing — the continual evolution of the sport has gradually eliminated less effective techniques and "pure" styles, usually because specialized fighters were lacking in skills to deal with broader techniques. In the early , Amateur Wrestling and Shoot Wrestling . This may be attributable in part to the Grappling emphasis of the aforementioned styles, which, perhaps due to the scarcity of mixed martial arts competitions prior to the early 90s, had been neglected by most practitioners of Striking -based arts. Fighters that combined amateur wrestling with striking techniques dominated the Standing Portion of a fight, whilst Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylists had a distinct advantage on the ground. Those unfamiliar with submission grappling proved to be unprepared to deal with its Submission Techniques . Shoot wrestling practitioners offered a balance of amateur wrestling ability and Catch Wrestling based submissions resulting in a generally well rounded set of skills. The shoot wrestlers were especially successful in Japan , where the this style initially dominated others. As competitions became more and more common, those with a base in Striking became more competitive as they acquainted themselves with Takedowns and submission holds, leading to notable upsets against the dominant Grapplers . Subsequently those from the varying grappling styles learned from each other's strengths and shortcomings and added striking techniques to their arsenal. This overall development of increased Cross-training resulted in the fighters becoming increasingly multi-dimensional and well rounded in their skills. PHASES OF COMBAT Training , Wrestling , and Submission Fighting .]] Today, mixed martial artists 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 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. A mixed martial artist might train in a particular style to enhance his or her skills in the phase of combat that the style encompasses. Typical styles, known for their effectiveness, that have been trained prior to the mixed martial arts career, and that are trained individually to enhance a particular phase of combat, are:
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 . Commonly, modern fighters do not train in any particular style, but either train in multiple styles with multiple coaches, or train in teams with other athletes focusing specifically on competition. Energy System Training , speed drills, Strength Training and Flexibility are also important aspects of an MMA fighter's training. Mixed martial arts competition is very demanding physically, and the athletes need to be in top shape to be successful. Strategies The following are various nicknames applied to different fighting styles. Although fighters are usually much more versed in one fighting style such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Judo, and other martial arts, the following terms are used to describe how a particular fighter is attempting to accomplish a particular victory. For instance, BJ Penn and Fedor Emelianenko score victories both striking, "ground and pounding," and submitting depending on the strengths of their opponents. Furthermore, some styles are not complete styles; rather, they are merely phases in a fighter's game. is an integral component of sprawl-and-brawl.]] Sprawl-and-brawl Sprawl-and-brawl is a Stand-up Fighting tactic that consists of effective stand-up striking, while avoiding Ground Fighting , typically by using Sprawl s to defend against Takedowns . A sprawl-and-brawler is usually a Boxer , Kickbox er, Thai Boxer and/or Full Contact Karate fighter who has trained in Wrestling to avoid takedowns and tries to keep the fight standing. Usually these fighters will study enough Submission Wrestling so that in the unfortunate event that they are taken down to the ground, they can tie their opponents up and survive long enough to either get back to standing or until the referee restarts the fight. This style is deceptively different from regular kickboxing styles, since sprawl-and-brawlers must adapt their techniques to incorporate Takedown and Ground Fighting defense. Clinch fighting Clinch fighting, or "Dirty boxing", is a tactic that consists of using a Clinch Hold to prevent the opponent from moving away into more distant striking range, while at the same time attempting takedowns and Striking the opponent using Knees , Stomps , Elbows , and Punches . The clinch is usually utilized by wrestlers that have added in components of the striking game (typically boxing), and Muay Thai fighters. Often, wrestlers that have added the striking game are partial to strikes from within the Clinch , particularly wrestlers who have already developed a strong clinch game. In the case that an exchange on the feet does not go in their favor, they can bring the fight to the ground quickly as their true expertise lies in wrestling, so they are ultimately less timid about trading blows. Through the use of Greco-Roman clinching techniques and Muay Thai strikes, neck clinching and body locks Clinch Fighting could be used to devastate ill-prepared opponents. Wrestling components include pummeling and underhooking arms along with "bodylocking" the waist. Pummelling is commonly learned as a drill and is similar to the "snaking hands" drill used for practicing the plumb clinch. Muay Thai typically employs the neck clinch where the back of the head is held. From here one can knee, wrestle, stomp the feet and calf, or perform Greco-Roman style trips using the feet and knees as leverage, much like trips and slams in Greco-Roman wrestling. Thai boxers will also clinch or Bodylock the waist and either perform Throws or force the opponent to the floor using their chin as the force and the bodylock as the Fulcrum , with the legs providing thrust. Ground-and-pound Ground-and-pound is a ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a top Position , and then striking the opponent. Ground-and-pound is also used as a precursor to attempting submission holds. This style is used by wrestlers or other fighters well-versed in defending submission holds and skilled at Takedowns . They take the fight to the ground, maintain a Grappling Position , and Strike until their opponent Submits , is Knocked Out or is Cut so badly that the fight can not continue. Although not traditionally considered a conventional method of striking, the effectiveness and reliability (as well as recently-developing science) of this style is proven. Originally, most fighters who relied on striking on the ground were wrestlers, but considering how many fights end up on the ground and how increasingly competitive today's MMA is, strikes on the ground are becoming more essential to a fighter's training. Submission grappling Combatives instructor Matt Larsen uses a Chokehold on an opponent.]] Apart from being a general martial arts term, submission grappling is also a reference to the ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or Throw , obtaining a Dominant Position , and then applying a Submission Hold to defeat the opponent. Some submission grapplers are also content to work from the bottom position because they are confident that they can find a way to secure a Submission . They will sometimes fall back into the guard position, dragging the opponent with them. This is known as "pulling guard." Submissions are an essential part of many disciplines, most notably Catch Wrestling , Judo , Sambo , Pankration , Army Combatives and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . Fighters with a strong background in these sports often use submission grappling as a tactic to win their fights. An example of a submission grappling tournament is ADCC . "Lay-and-pray" Less commonly, the term has been applied to a defensive strategy in which a striking-based fighter who has been taken down and seeks to cause a stalemate in the action by tying up the opponent and "praying" for the round to end or a stand up by the referee so that they can continue with a striking offense. RULES See Also: Mixed martial arts rules Background promotion and were later adopted by the UFC as their brand of mixed martial arts developed from a brawl to a regulated sport.]] |
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