MMA: An Introduction

As it popularity sweeps across the United States and Asia, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has dominated the North Americans' pay-per-view scene as the most watched sport since 2006. MMA takes skill and wit to a higher level. Combining fighting techniques from the various full body contact sports, it draws competitors and spectators from the broad spectrum of all the various martial arts.

Martial arts experts thought deep and hard to which martial arts style was the most effective. They pit fighters from different martial arts background up against each other. This was the start of MMA. These fights resulted in the evolution of several dominant fighting techniques that have proved to be more effective than others over time.

Basic skill sets of an MMA fighter

As more and more MMA fights emerged, its fighting style has evolved to be like no other. The modern day MMA fighter is typically trained in 2 out of the 3 basic skill sets.

Stand-up fighting: It encompasses all the fighting done while standing. Punching, kicking, knee-and-elbow moves and takedowns (moving your opponent to the ground while standing) are all part of stand-up fighting. Martial arts disciplines that are strong in this include Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing, Karate, Sanda, etc.

Ground fighting/Grappling: It consists of engaging from positions like the guard and the mount, strikes from ground-based positions, and submissions. Submissions can be deadly as they require you tp obtain a hold that manipulates your opponent's joints and hope he'll remove himself from the fight due to pain or fear of injury. Martial arts disciplines that are strong in this include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Shoot Wrestling, etc.

Clinch fighting: A combination of the above skills. The opponents are standing up while engaging in grappling. Martial arts disciplines that are strong in this include Muay Thai, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, etc.

If we've got you excited? Don't punch the wall just yet. Next up on our series of MMA articles will be a glossary of MMA's signature moves!

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