Sunday, September 18, 2011

What is MMA?

By Taco Fleur


MMA is Mixed Martial Arts, which is a full-contact combat sport. It fully formed and became popular during the 1990s when it was brought to the United States. MMA combines multiple styles of martial arts. Some of the martial arts that can be employed during MMA matches include kickboxing, Brazilian Jujitsu, Karate, Judo, traditional wrestling, and Muay Thai. There are some other styles allowed but these are the most common.

The fights themselves are held within an eight-sided cage. Generally speaking the way to win a fight is to knock out the opponent, but you can also win by the decision of the judges, or by forcing your opponent to submit, or tap out. There are three rounds consisting of five minutes each.

The rules within MMA are fairly simple. Some of them include: no biting opponents, no hair pulling, no hits to the spine or back of the head, and a few various rules that have to do with grounded opponents. MMA can be very violent; it is more rigorous than traditional boxing and many martial arts, and with a lot of physical contact, and so all of the fighters must be well trained and the matches must be strongly refereed. Fighters will be disqualified immediately for any infraction of the rules. There is a huge risk of injury or death if the rules are broken.

Is UFC MMA?

The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, is the biggest company that puts on MMA matches in the world. Because of its huge role in promoting the sport, the two terms - UFC and MMA - are often found used interchangeably. The Gracie family, specifically Rorion Gracie, cofounded the UFC with John Millius in the early 1990s explicitly to promote MMA and was been the main company to do so until they sold the company. In 2001, the UFC was purchased by Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White who formed the company, Zuffa, LLC, which now owns the UFC.

MMA used to be more in the style of Vale Tudo matches - "anything goes." However, over time MMA matches have become quite strictly regulated to minimize the risk of serious injury. Because of the variety of fighting styles and the intense nature of the fights, it is essential that the fights be regulated and that referees are highly trained.




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