mixed martial arts
Thursday, July 9th, 2009
Mixed Martial Arts
While browsing ESPN, you spot what seems like a boxing match, until suddenly opponents start to kick one another. The next thing you know, the two fighters are on the ground, striking one another. Welcome to the exciting and increasingly popular arena of mixed martial arts (also known as MMA). You may think this is the next wave in martial arts entertainment, but this combat sport has actually been around since the Olympic games in 648 BC.
What to Expect During a Match
Mixed martial arts uses three different phases of fighting – stand-up, clinch and ground. Stand-up fighting incorporates boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai. Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo (from Russia), as well as Judo are used in the clinch phase of fighting. The ground phase of fighting is characterized by Brazilian Jui-Jitsu (focuses on positioning), shoot wrestling, catch wrestling, Judo, as well as Sambo.
Fighting techniques that you may encounter during a MMA competition includes kicks, punches, knees, pinning holds, sweeps, takedowns, throws, some elbowing, as well as hand-to-hand combat. A win is typically awarded through the decision of a judge. Matches are timed, therefore, the decision comes after the allotted time has passed. Other circumstances that end a fight include referee stoppage, fight doctor decision, submission, cornerman throwing in the towel and of course, a knockout.
The Mixed Martial Arts of Today
The kind of fighting techniques associated with the mixed martial arts of today deals with a combination of different professional fighting styles. Most commonly, a fighter started training in one specific arena of fighting and later decided to branch off into other styles of combat. The main styles of fighting include sprawl-and-brawl, clinch-and-pound and ground-and-pound.
Sprawl-and-brawl is a stand-up fighting approach that utilizes striking and purposefully avoids fighting on the ground. This type of fighter usually has a strong background in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai or karate. To fight in this style, MMA fighters have undergone training in wrestling. Well-known mixed martial artists connected to this approach include Chuck Liddell, Maurice Smith and Phil Barconi.
Clinch-and pound uses clinch fighting tactics characterized by a clinch hold. While a fighter holds an opponent so that they cannot move, they will often strike the body using their knees, or other dirty boxing moves. Most of these fighters started wrestling before incorporating boxing techniques. Don Frye, Dan Henderson and Randy Couture are familiar with this style of fighting.
Ground-and-pound involves the taking down or throwing of an opponent. The next step is to get into the dominant position, attacking with strikes. Wrestlers usually turn to this type of fighting, which has been used by the likes of Mark Coleman, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz.
Since there are so many different styles of MMA combat associated with mixed martial art, you may think that there is nothing a fighter can do to their opponent. In actuality, there are several fouls connected to this sport. A fighter are not allowed to head-butt, eye gouge, pull the hair, bite, attack the groin or strike the back of the head or kidneys of an opponent.
MMA Organizations
Bringing the exciting world of mixed martial arts fighting to the public are several different organizations that all have their own specific rules and regulations. One of the most well known, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) – http://www.martialartspride.com – tests their fighters for steroids and other illegal substances before allowing entrance to one of their championship bouts. In this organization, elbow strikes are allowed with the exception of ones that come from the north-south direction. PRIDE Fighting Championships mainly offer two different MMA weight classes (heavyweight and middleweight) and forbids fighters from intentionally hanging an arm or leg on the ropes.
With the ZST, which is an organization based in Japan, there are two five-minute rounds. At the end of a match, a fight is deemed a draw if there was no knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO) or Submission. MMA judges are not used in this form of fighting. Shooto is another form of combat fighting that presents separate rules and regulations for three different class levels (A, B, and C). Level C is set aside for the amateurs. Three 4-minute rounds are attached to the International Fight League, which uses a different pair of gloves, offering less padding.
Regardless of where or within which mma organization, mixed martial arts madness is sweeping the globe and is coming to a “cage” near you!
About the Author:
Clark Swihart is the President and Founder of CAS Enterprises, LLC.
Please visit the following website for more information…
TheAwristocrat.com -
Custom Made Silicone Rubber Wristbands and Bracelets
MartialArtsPride.com -
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA – UFC) Equipment, Supplies, Apparel, Gear & More
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Mixed Martial Arts (mma) Madness
Mixed Martial Arts: Best of 2008
|
|
UFC Round 3, Chuck Liddell Sports Poster Print - 24x36
$6.80 UFC Round 3, Chuck Liddell Sports Poster Print - 24x36... |
|
|
UFC Mixed Martial Arts Randy Couture 11-by-17 inch Locker Room Sign
$11.04 Officially licensed 11 x 17 decor signs. Uniquely shaped signs that are produced of durable plastic with die cut hanging hole(s). These signs work well as replacement to a poster because they are nearly indestructible in normal use, and can be washed with soap and water. They work great in outside or indoor applications, and are perfect to hang on doors. Made in USA.... |
|
|
UFC Mixed Martial Arts George St-Pierre 11-by-17 inch Locker Room Sign
$12.36 Officially licensed 11 x 17 decor signs. Uniquely shaped signs that are produced of durable plastic with die cut hanging hole(s). These signs work well as replacement to a poster because they are nearly indestructible in normal use, and can be washed with soap and water. They work great in outside or indoor applications, and are perfect to hang on doors. Made in USA.... |
|
|
BMV Quantum Subliminal CD Martial Arts Mastery (Ultrasonic Peak Performance Series)
$14.99 Program your subconscious mind for martial arts mastery. Improve your martial art skills for use with all styles (Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Hapkido, MMA/Mixed Martial Arts, Jujitsu, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Ninjitsu, Kickboxing/Kick-boxing and more). Exclusive state-of-the-art subliminal and brainwave entrainment technologies that you can use to program your subconscious mind for positive lasting resu... |
|
|
Dance of the Deep
$3.56 N/AFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER UPC: 787364052493... |
|
|
Freestyle Fighting Championships FFC 6
$10.83 Freestyle Fighting Championships is the South's premiere freestyle fighting organization. Known for explosive fights, sell out crowds, unmatched entertainment and non-stop action - the FFC is kicking ass and taking names! From the gem of the South; the beautiful Beau Rivage Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, the FFC continues on its path to victory with another capacity crowd and unparalleled... |
|
|
Everlast Inflatable Punching Bags
Serious exercise that's fun for the entire family. The inflatable punching towers are a knock-out for improving coordination and flexibility, burning calories and venting stress. Rocking back and forth with every punch, providing the knock-down / instant-up motion that builds endurance and sharpens reflexes. Can be kicked too. Comes with an easy-to-use foot pump and an anti-leak, water-weighted ba... |
|
|
1080IHD Home Theater Video Projector by Vibrant Media with FREE Extra Lamp and HDMI Chord! Incredible Picture Native 800:600 resolution! HDMI DVD Blue Ray Wii Ps3 Xbox PC!
$359.00 Hard to beat this projector for the money! Incredible picture quality and TRUE 800 : 600 native resolution for Vibrant picture. Please remember these are LCD projectors, so best viewed in dim to dark light. The 1080IHD by Vibrant Media is a great projector as it clearly runs with the expensive "Name Brand" units that will cost 2 to 4 times as much! Please contact us with any questions, as we are ... |
|
|
1080 Projector with Built in DVD Player by Vibrant Media! Portable and Perfect for Family Movie Night!!Incredible Picture that is perfect for home or on the run!
$449.00 Our Latest addition to the GrahamGannon Line of quality custom home entertainment products is the VibrantMedia "all in One" Portable Theater Projector with Built in DVD Player! Great for Families, as it's perfect for the home theater room or even better anywhere you wish to project to because you can take it with you nice and easy! No more bored kids as they will now be Thrilled while they watch t... |
|
|
UFC Mixed Martial Arts George St-Pierre Mouse Pad
$9.99 Officially Licensed Mouse Pads feature a dynamic graphic printed on a hard scuff-resistant vinyl surface. The vinyl is then backed with comfortably thin .0625" thick urethane foam backing. Made in the USA.... |