Mixed martial art is becoming increasingly popular, greatly due to the implementation of safety rules for those who are competing in the ring which made it possible to be watched on television. Unlike wrestling, mixed martial arts or MMA is not scripted which captivates the audience both young and old.

The unique characteristic of mixed martial arts that captivates the audience is that unlike wrestling, this sport is not scripted. Mixed martial arts comprises of two main types, the sport and the street style. The sport style involves two unarmed opponents who fight against each other using same or different techniques of martial arts. In sports style, fighters are prohibited to assault the groin, bite, gouge the eye or insert fingers into any bodily crevices.

Ever since the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championship was formed in 1993 many associations and organizations have been established for mixed martial arts which attest to its increasing popularity. The International Fighting Championship, the Elite XC and the PRIDE are just a few of those organizations.

UFC fights are aired in Spike TV which is available as pay per view. The Elite XC is aired in CBS as the “Saturday Night Fights.”

In addition to their fame in television, other forms of mixed martial arts merchandise like videos which can be watched at home are increasing in sales. There are many blogs and forums that discuss everything about this sport and many websites give information about upcoming competitions.

Fans who are captivated by this sport are eager to join in gyms that offer mixed martial arts as part of their package. This sport can be used instead of treadmill or weight lifting to work up a sweat. A few who are very serious train harder so that they can participate and win in competitions.

If you think that the craze about this sport started only 15 years ago then you might be wrong. It has been known for more than 2000 years by a different name. It was first introduced as Pankration by the Greeks in their Olympic Games.

The growth of this full contact combat sport is not only evident with its growing audience but also in its growing sales revenue which has surpassed that of boxing or wrestling. Its popularity is also apparent with the increasing number of associations, organizations, academics and gyms that have been established in local and international communities.

Mixed martial arts as a sport was even suggested to be added to the 2004 Olympics that was hosted in Greece. However, due to various concerns it was not included

Regardless of the fact that it was not added in the Beijing Olympics too, more and more competitors are eager to enter various competitions that are held by other organizations. Even though the International Olympic Committee is yet to approve the mixed martial arts, increasing number of competitions are being broadcast on the television that are sponsored by various organizations and watched by millions.

Though the mixed martial arts has been referred as “human cockfighting” by Senator McCain according to whom this sport was too violent, there has been no fatalities in this sport yet when compared to boxing, where the figures average about 11 per year. With its ever growing popularity there is no doubt that MMA will continue to be a part of American society for a long time.

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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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