All About Mix Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts like tae kwon do and karate are well known to most people. However, are you aware of a fast growing sport known as mixed martial arts?
Mixed martial arts differ from other martial art disciplines in that it uses various martial art techniques. It is a full contact combat type sport in which competitors try to take control of their opponents using the same or different techniques like punching and grappling while standing and when they are on the ground
Mixed martial arts or MMA was first introduced in 648 B.C by the Greeks in their Olympic Games. It was then called as Pankration. There are records of a similar sport that was continued to be practiced throughout the 1800′s and the 1900′s. However, mixed martial art as it is now called was first introduced in 1993 with the establishment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC.
Mixed martial art was founded when martial art fighters of different disciplines were gathered to determine which technique was effective in a combat situation. Initially there were very few rules set out for mixed martial arts, but now many rules have been implemented for the safety of the fighters and to help in the growth of this sport.
Because of these changes it is now possible for you to watch the Ultimate Fighting Championship on television. Studies show that this sport is growing in popularity and has more audience than either boxing or wrestling, as more people are willing to use the pay per view channels in which the mixed martial arts competitions are aired.
Now UFC has approved five weight categories for MMA which include the 67 to 70 kg called lightweight, 71 to 77 kg called welterweight, 78 to 84 kg called middleweight, 85 to 93 kg called light heavyweight and the 94 to 120 kg category called heavyweight. Apart from these five categories there are four more but they are not currently used by the UFC.
One of the major differences between boxing or wrestling and mixed martial arts is the shape of the ring in which the combat occurs. While the boxing or wrestling ring is rectangular in shape, the MMA competition is conducted in an octagonal shaped ring. The eight sided cage is made of metal chain link fence that is coated with black vinyl. The entry and exit gates that are located at opposite ends in the ring, the space between the eight walls and the top of the fence are adequately padded for safety.
Appropriate attires have to be worn by competitors. Appropriate attire includes shorts and gloves. Shoes should not be worn by the fighters inside the ring. There should be adequate padding in the gloves to protect the knuckles of the fighters, but it should not hinder them when trying to grab their opponents.
In a mixed martial arts competition the match ends the instant when one of the competitors taps the ground or is knocked down unconscious. The fighter who is still standing wins the match. In case both the fighter are standing at the end of a match, the presiding judges choose the winner
Any unauthorized contact by a fighter with his opponent is declared a foul. Points are deducted from the concerned fighter by the referee. The referee also has the authority to disqualify a competitor in case the foul was made intentionally or declare a no contest if it was unintentional.
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Tagged with: brazilian jui jitsu • Kickboxing • martial arts • mixed martial arts • MMA • mma equipment • mma gloves • mma gyms • mma training • sports • ufc
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