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Mixed martial arts

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Ryan Purwick (top) works the guard of Joaquin Velasco.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is the combat sport in which two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another by utilizing a wide variety of permitted martial arts techniques, including striking and grappling. Well-known MMA organizations include the ISCF, International Sport Combat Federation (www.ISCFMMA.com - A Worldwide Sanctioning Body For MMA), the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships. MMA was previously known as "NHB" for "No Holds Barred", but this term is now technically retired; it is no longer an accurate description of modern competitions since they utilize a list of rules inhibiting certain holds, as is necessary for the fighters' safety.

A mixed martial art is also sometimes used to describe hybrid martial arts which incorporate techniques and theories from several different martial arts.

History of MMA

Modern mixed-martial arts contests have a long history, dating back at least to the late 1800s when wrestlers representing a huge range of fighting styles including jujitsu, catch-as-catch-can, collar-and-elbow, Greco-Roman wrestling and many others met in tournaments and music-hall challenge matches throughout Europe. However, the vogue for professional wrestling died out after the First World War, only to be reborn in two major streams: "shoot", in which the fighters actually competed, and "show" which became increasingly dependent on choreography and theatrics, which evolved into modern professional wrestling.

MMA is also sometimes considered an evolution of pankration, a combination of striking and grappling that was introduced in the Olympic games in 648 BC. The Pancrase fighting promotion in Japan has strong ties to modern MMA and actually predates the first UFC by a few months.

Evolution of MMA fighters

A mixed martial arts bout featuring Ken Hamamura (top) vs. Masaaki Shinzato, during the Okinawa Hardcore Championship.

In the early 1990s, two styles stood out for their effectiveness in MMA competition: amateur wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu artists had the early advantage, since wrestlers were not equipped with a way to defeat them standing or on the ground. However, when wrestlers started training in striking, pure jiu-jitsu stylists ran into difficulties since they had a hard time taking the fight to the ground and away from their stand-up weaknesses. This represented the first step of evolution towards cross-training. Wrestling eventually branched into two styles described below: "ground-and-pound" (striking on the ground) and "clinch-and-pound" (striking in the clinch).

Kickboxers and boxers were next to evolve and added grappling skills to their arsenal. In the early days, they could not compete with the grapplers, since they could not avoid the takedowns and had no defense on the ground. After adding ground techniques to their training, they scored some major upsets, and showed that fighters specializing in striking could be effective in the sport.

Due to its early dominance, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters were the last to evolve. Eventually, wrestling and Muay Thai were added to their training, and jiu-jitsu fighters regained their competitiveness.

Techniques

The techniques in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees, punches and sometimes elbows and head butts) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws. Victory is normally gained through a knockout, a submission, a stoppage by the referee, the fight doctor or a competitor's corner-person, or by a decision by the judges scoring the fight.

Phases of combat

As a result of the MMA sporting events, martial arts training and the understanding of the combat effectiveness of various strategies have changed dramatically over the last ten years. MMA competition has indicated that there are three distinct phases in unarmed fighting:

While the early years included the widest possible variety of styles (everything from sumo to karate), the continual evolution of the sport has practically eliminated the less effective styles from the competitions, usually because the fighters of each particular style were lacking in their skills in particular phase.

Training

Today, mixed martial artists train in a variety of styles that have been proven effective, so that they can be effective in all the phases of combat. Although MMA 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 MMA 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 day MMA fighters do not train in any particular style, but train in teams and with coaches specialized in MMA fighting. They might however refer to the different aspect of training according to the most representative traditional style, such "training in jiu-jitsu" when referring to training in submission holds. In addition, the fighters also train in striking on the ground, a concept which cannot be attributed to any particular traditional martial art or combat sport.

Conditioning, calisthenics and strength training are also important aspects of a MMA fighters training. Mixed martial arts competition is very demanding physically, and the athletes need to be in top shape to be successful. The different styles of fighting favour different kind of training. For example, strength and power are often favored by ground fighters while stand-up artists generally favor speed over strength. All fighters aim to have plenty of stamina so that they can be effective for the entire duration of their matches.

Modern fighting strategies

The following is a breakdown of the different fighting styles of modern MMA.Most sucsessful fighters are known to train in multiple fighting styles under the guidance of experts.Professional Fighters generally concentrate on mastering one particular style and eventually become associated with it.

Sprawl-and-brawl

Sprawl-and-brawl (alternative spelling sprawl and brawl or sprawl 'n' brawl) is a stand-up fighting tactic that consists of effective stand-up striking, while avoiding ground fighting, typically by using sprawls to defend against takedowns.

A sprawl-and-brawler is a usually a boxer, kickboxer or Muay Thai fighter who has trained 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. Maurice Smith is credited with introducing this style by becoming a successful kickboxer in a time when ground fighters were dominating the sport, including winning the heavyweight title of the Ultimate Fighting Championship by defeating Mark Coleman.

Examples: Maurice Smith, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, Chuck Liddell, Pedro Rizzo and Wanderlei Silva.[citation needed]

Clinch-and-pound

Clinch-and-pound (or alternatively clinch and pound or clinch 'n' pound) is a clinch fighting tactic that consists using a clinch hold to prevent the opponent from moving away into more distant striking range, while at the same time striking the opponent using knees, stomps and dirty boxing techniques.

Clinch-and-pounders are usually wrestlers that have added in components of the striking game (typically boxing). Often, wrestlers that have added the striking game are partial to strikes from within the clinch (particularly wrestlers who have developed a strong clinch game already). 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. Don Frye was among the first wrestlers to add versatile strikes to his arsenal, but it was Randy Couture's fight against Vitor Belfort in which he used close-range boxing to out-strike a reputedly superior boxer that was the true birth of this style of fighter. He was the first to demonstrate that stand-up fighting and ground fighting were not the only phases of combat. Through the use of Greco-Roman clinching techniques, he showed that a third phase, clinch fighting, was not well understood and could be used to devastate ill-prepared opponents.

Examples: Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Don Frye and Jens Pulver.[citation needed]

Ground-and-pound

Ground-and-pound (alternative spelling ground and pound or ground 'n' pound) is a ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a dominant position, and then striking the opponent. Ground and pound is also used as a precursor to attempting submission holds. Ground and pound is sometimes referred to as lay and pray (alternative spelling lay-and-pray or lay 'n' pray), when combatant is using his or her positioning to rest, and not to advance in position or using effective striking.

A fighter attempts to escape from an armbar by slamming the opponent to the ground.

This style is used by wrestlers or other fighters well-versed in defending submission holds and skilled at takedowns. They take every fight to the ground, maintain a grappling position, and strike (attack) 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. Dan Severn was the first proficient fighter using ground-and-pound with his takedowns and punches, forearm strikes, elbows and knees on the ground. However, many modern MMA camps have developed intricate strategies for striking while on the ground.

Examples: Mark Coleman, Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Hughes, Takanori Gomi, Tito Ortiz[citation needed]

Submission wrestling

Apart from being a general martial arts term, submission wrestling 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.

Submissions are an essential part of many disciplines, most notably Catch Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Shooto, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fighters with a strong background in these sports often use submission wrestling as a tactic to win their fights.

Examples: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Royce Gracie, Frank Shamrock, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Genki Sudo.

Rules

The rules for most Mixed Martial Arts competitions have evolved since the early days of vale tudo. As the knowledge about fighting techniques spread among the athletes and popularity increased among the viewers, it became clear that the original minimalistic rules systems needed to be amended. Some main motivations for these rule changes included:

  • Protection of the health of the fighters: This goal also helps to clean the stigma of "barbaric no rules fighting to the death" that MMA has obtained because of its vale tudo roots. It also helps athletes to avoid injuries and therefore train better to become better fighters.
  • Providing spectacle for the viewers: The rules promote good fighters involved in action-packed fights rather than no-skill bar brawls.

For example, weight classes emerged when knowledge about submissions spread and it became more difficult for small fighters to catch larger ones in submissions. When more fighters became well-versed in submission techniques, the weight of the fighters started to make a difference again.

Head butts were prohibited because whenever the fight hit the ground the head butt was a technique that required little effort and could quickly turn the match into a bloody mess. This strategy was quite common between wrestlers because they are strong, and could bring the fight to the ground but lacked experience with submissions and therefore head butting was an easy path to victory.

Although some fighters may have well conditioned fists, others such as grapplers may not. In an unprotected, unconditioned fist there are plenty of small bones to break when a torso or forehead is hit with power. The motivation for mandatory small open finger gloves was as much to reduce the occurrence of cuts and to encourage a fighter to use his hands more for striking as to please the audience.

Time limits were established because of very long fights occurring on the ground with little action. No-time-limit matches complicated the planning of the events as well. Similar motivations produced the "stand up" rule, which is when the referee stops the ground fighting and stands both fighters up in case of no action, and a "warning" that could be issued when the fighters hesitate to engage in stand up or ground fighting.

In the U.S., athletic commissions have played a crucial role in the introduction of safety rules because they oversee MMA in similar ways as they do for boxing. Small shows usually use more restrictive rules because they have less experienced fighters who are looking to acquire experience and exposure that could ultimately lead them to getting recruited into one of the larger, better paying promotions (Pride, UFC, Pancrase, KOTC).

In Japan and Europe there is no regulating authority over MMA competitions, so these organizations have more freedom in rules development and event structure.

In general a balanced set of rules has been established, and future rule changes will probably consist of minor adaptation.

Common rules

The following describes some rules commonly found in MMA competition today.

  • Ways to victory
    • Knock Out (KO): as soon as a fighter becomes unconscious due to strikes, his opponent is declared the winner (because MMA rules allow ground fighting, the fight is stopped to prevent further injury to the unconscious fighter.)
    • Submission: a fighter may admit defeat during a match by:
      • tapping three times on his opponent's body;
      • tapping three times on the mat or floor;
      • verbal announcement.
    • Technical Knockout (TKO)
      • Referee Stoppage: the referee may stop a match in progress if:
        • a fighter becomes dominant to the point where the opponent is unable to intelligently defend himself from attacks (this may occur as quickly as a few seconds);
        • a fighter appears to be unconscious from a grappling hold.
        • a fighter appears to have developed significant injuries (such as a broken bone) in the referee's view.
      • Doctor Stoppage: the referee will call for a time out if a fighter's ability to continue is in question as a result of apparent injuries (such as a large cut). The ring doctor will inspect the fighter and stop the match if the fighter is deemed unable to continue safely, rendering the opponent the winner. However, if the match is stopped as a result of an injury from illegal actions by the opponent, either a disqualification or no contest will be issued instead.
      • Corner stoppage: a fighter's cornermen may announce defeat on the fighter's behalf by throwing in the towel during the match in progress or between rounds.
    • Decision: if the match goes the distance, then the outcome of the bout is determined by three judges. The judging critera are organization-specific.
    • Forfeit: a fighter or his representative may forfeit a match prior to the beginning of the match, thereby losing the match.
    • Disqualification: a "warning" will be given when a fighter commits a foul or illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Three warnings will result in a disqualification. Moreover, if a fighter is injured and unable to continue due to a deliberate illegal technique from his opponent, the opponent will be disqualified.
    • No Contest: in the event that both fighters commit a violation of the rules, or a fighter is unable to continue due to an injury from an accidental illegal technique, the match will be declared a "No Contest".
  • Weight categories
    • Although each organization divides its fighters into weight classes, the details are organization-specific.
  • Fouls
    • No head-butting, eye gouging, hair pulling, biting or fish hooking (pulling at the cheek with a finger).
    • No attacking the groin
    • No strikes to the back of the head, spinal area and kidneys.
    • No strikes to, or grabs of the trachea
    • No small joint manipulation (control of four or more fingers/toes is necessary).
    • No intentionally throwing your opponent out of the ring.
    • No running out of the ring.
    • No purposely holding the ring ropes or octagon fence.

Rules variations

Each organization determines its own rules (in accordance with government regulation). Below are some of the significant differences in the rules of the popular MMA organizations.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

  • Allows elbow strikes except downward elbow strikes with the point of the elbow.
  • Prohibits spiking a fighter onto his head during takedown or slam.
  • Prohibits stomps, soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent (more than feet touching ground). A fighter on the ground can kick upwards at their opponent's head only if their opponent is standing.
  • Prohibits shoes, shirts and pants.
  • Uses three 5-minute rounds. Championship bouts are five 5-minute rounds.
  • No longer uses a tournament format.
  • Has five weight classes: Heavyweight (<265 lbs), Light Heavyweight (<205 lbs), Middleweight (<185 lbs), and Welterweight (<170 lbs). There was previously also a Lightweight (<155 lbs) class, but it is currently suspended.
  • Tests fighters for steroids and other illegal substances in championship bouts.

Pride Fighting Championships

  • Uses a 10-minute first round with 5-minute second and third rounds.
  • Prohibits elbow strikes to the head.
  • Allows stomps, soccer kicks and knees to the head of a grounded opponent.
  • Uses tournament format to award Grand Prix champions.
  • Has two weight classes: Heavyweight (no limit), and Middleweight (<92 kg).
  • "Bushido" event series consists of lightweight (<73 kg) and light-middleweight (<83 kg) fighters.

K-1 HERO's

  • Uses two 5-minute rounds, with an extra round option should the judges be unable to determine a clear winner of the fight.
  • Prohibits elbow strikes to the head.
  • Weight classes are currently being established. Lightweight is under 70 kg, others to be announced shortly.
  • Has moved to a tournament format similar to that seen in K-1, with an eight man tournament. However, the final matches are not decided on the same evening, but at later events. In the case of the 2005 HERO's lightweight tournament, the final fight will be held at K-1 Dynamite!. It is unsure if this format will become the standard at this time.

ZST

  • Uses two 5-minute rounds.
  • Does not use judges. The fight is declared a draw if there is no KO, TKO, Submission.
  • Allows elbow and knee strikes only if they are covered by padding.
  • Does not allow attacking head with strikes when one fighter is in downed position.

Shooto

  • Uses A, B, and C levels. The C level is considered for amateurs only.
  • Every level has its own rules and restrictions.
  • The C level rules require headgear to be worn and prohibit striking to the head on the ground.
  • In case of a knockdown (when any part of a competitor's body touches the mat solely as the result of a strike) the referee will perform a 10-count. The competitor has until the count of 10 to return to a standing position. Three knock downs in a single round will end the bout. There is also a mandatory standing 8-count.

Cage or ring

MMA is often referred to as "cagefighting" in the US as it is associated with the UFC's octagonal caged fighting area. Most major "Western" MMA promotions (US, Canada and Britain ) use the "cage" as a result of directly evolving from the first UFC events. On the other hand, Japanese, Brazilian and other european countries such as Holland, usually use an area similar to a standard boxing ring, but with tighter ropes and some type of barrier underneath the lowest rope to keep grappling athletes from rolling out of the ring. There are also variations such as replacing the traditional cage's metal fencing with net and a one foot high padded barrier surrounding the combat area. The choice of cage or ring is more than aesthetic; however, as it impacts the type of strategies a fighter can implement. For example, a popular and effective strategy in a cage is to pin an opponent into the area where the fence meets the mat, and then pummel him with strikes. This is not possible in a roped ring. On the other hand, the roped ring can result in entangled limbs and fighters falling through the ropes, requiring the referee to stop the fighters and re-position them in the center. There is debate whether the appearance of "fighting in a cage" results in a negative stereotyping of MMA in America, hindering efforts by its supporters to achieve mainstream acceptance.

See also

Following list contains only links to English-language sites of the most famous MMA organizations at the time this entry has introduced.

Sources

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