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If you thought that mixed martial arts was something new in the world of sports, you would be completely mistaken. The ancient sport of pankration, once performed at the first Olympic games in Greece, was in fact the earliest form of MMA. Opponents fought using a combination of grappling skills and striking skills, similar to what is seen today.
During the 19th Century, there are numerous examples of MMA-style fights that incorporated many different types of wrestling and fighting styles taking place throughout Europe. In the United States, one of the first recorded instances of a mixed martial arts-style fight occurred between champion boxer John Sullivan and champion Greco-Roman wrestler William Muldoon, with Muldoon slamming Sullivan into the mat in just minutes. From there, there are many instances of professional boxers and wrestlers meeting in the ring for fights that combined multiple fighting styles.
As the sport progressed, there are records throughout the Pacific Rim, Asia and Europe of mixed-style fights. In Brazil, the Gracie family was hugely influential in the beginnings of vale tudo fighting, which included their own signature form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These vale tudo or "everything allowed" fights included Jiu Jitsu as well as many other styles of fighting.
Bruce Lee was a huge influence in the development of modern MMA fighting. While many believe him to be only a Kung Fu expert, he created his own philosophy and fighting style, known as Jeet Kune Do. Lee believed that the best fighters are those who learn many styles of fighting, thus using kicking, trapping, grappling and punching. He is widely hailed as the father of modern MMA.
The first mainstream MMA organization was Ultimate Fighting Championship, which was formed in 1993. During the group's first championship tournament, Royce Gracie defeated three opponents in five minutes, and this feat brought huge attention to the sport. At this time, organized rules were few and far between. In 2000, the California State Athletic Commission began working on compiling the first official regulations for MMA. During that same year, New Jersey's state athletic board also worked with promoters to approve a set of rules which have become the standard for MMA fights.
There are several other MMA organizations, aside from UFC. The most well-known is perhaps Strikeforce, which got its start as a kickboxing organization. Strikeforce began hosting MMA events and is notable for holding the record for the highest attended MMA fight in history, a record that stood for five years. A powerful counterpart to UFC, Strikeforce was purchased by the owners of UFC in 2011. Although some have concerns that the owners will merge the two, they have said that UFC and Strikeforce will be separate at least through 2012.
During the 19th Century, there are numerous examples of MMA-style fights that incorporated many different types of wrestling and fighting styles taking place throughout Europe. In the United States, one of the first recorded instances of a mixed martial arts-style fight occurred between champion boxer John Sullivan and champion Greco-Roman wrestler William Muldoon, with Muldoon slamming Sullivan into the mat in just minutes. From there, there are many instances of professional boxers and wrestlers meeting in the ring for fights that combined multiple fighting styles.
As the sport progressed, there are records throughout the Pacific Rim, Asia and Europe of mixed-style fights. In Brazil, the Gracie family was hugely influential in the beginnings of vale tudo fighting, which included their own signature form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These vale tudo or "everything allowed" fights included Jiu Jitsu as well as many other styles of fighting.
Bruce Lee was a huge influence in the development of modern MMA fighting. While many believe him to be only a Kung Fu expert, he created his own philosophy and fighting style, known as Jeet Kune Do. Lee believed that the best fighters are those who learn many styles of fighting, thus using kicking, trapping, grappling and punching. He is widely hailed as the father of modern MMA.
The first mainstream MMA organization was Ultimate Fighting Championship, which was formed in 1993. During the group's first championship tournament, Royce Gracie defeated three opponents in five minutes, and this feat brought huge attention to the sport. At this time, organized rules were few and far between. In 2000, the California State Athletic Commission began working on compiling the first official regulations for MMA. During that same year, New Jersey's state athletic board also worked with promoters to approve a set of rules which have become the standard for MMA fights.
There are several other MMA organizations, aside from UFC. The most well-known is perhaps Strikeforce, which got its start as a kickboxing organization. Strikeforce began hosting MMA events and is notable for holding the record for the highest attended MMA fight in history, a record that stood for five years. A powerful counterpart to UFC, Strikeforce was purchased by the owners of UFC in 2011. Although some have concerns that the owners will merge the two, they have said that UFC and Strikeforce will be separate at least through 2012.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more details about martial arts San Diego or to discover boxing classes in San Diego, please visit The Arena MMA website now.
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