About Mixed Martial Arts
Most people are aware of several martial art disciplines like karate and tae kwon do, but do you know that there is a sport called mixed martial arts?
Mixed martial art is different from other martial arts in that it makes use of several disciplines of martial arts. It is a combat style full contact sport where two opponents try to overpower each other using same or different martial art techniques like kicking and grappling which are executed both standing and on the ground.
Mixed martial arts or MMA was originally called Pankration when it was first introduced in the Olympic Games by the Greeks in 648 B.C. There are records that prove that a similar version of this sport was continued to be played through the 1800′s and 1900′s until it was introduced as the mixed martial arts in 1993 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC was established.
Mixed martial art was founded when martial art fighters of different disciplines were gathered to determine which technique was effective in a combat situation. Initially there were very few rules set out for mixed martial arts, but now many rules have been implemented for the safety of the fighters and to help in the growth of this sport.
Because of these rules many mixed martial arts competitions like the Ultimate Fighting Championship can now be viewed on television. Statistics show that the popularity of MMA is increasing tremendously and has more audiences than wrestling. This is evident in the number of people who prefer to watch the pay per view MMA channels over other two sports.
Now UFC has approved five weight categories for MMA which include the 67 to 70 kg called lightweight, 71 to 77 kg called welterweight, 78 to 84 kg called middleweight, 85 to 93 kg called light heavyweight and the 94 to 120 kg category called heavyweight. Apart from these five categories there are four more but they are not currently used by the UFC.
One of the things that differentiate mixed martial arts from boxing and wrestling is the shape of the ring. The shape of the ring for wrestling and boxing is rectangular while the ring for MMA is in the shape of an octagon. The eight sides of the MMA cage is enclosed with a metal chain link fence. The metal chain links are coated with black vinyl. The gates for entry and exit are positioned at the opposite ends of the ring and adequate padding is provided on the top of the fence and in between the eight walls for safety.
Competitors are required to wear appropriate attire when they enter the ring. The attire consists of approved shorts and gloves but no shoes. The gloves should have at least one inch of protective padding covering the knuckles to avoid any injury while trying to grab and get hold of their opponents.
The winner of the game is declared the instant when one of the opponents taps the ground or when one of them is knocked out unconscious. If both the competitors are still standing at the end of a match then the winner is declared at the discretion of the judges.
Any kind of illegal contact by a competitor is declared as foul and the referee deducts points from the fighter who makes the illegal contact. The referee can also disqualify the fighter who made a foul intentionally or he can announce a no contest if the foul was unintentional.
Learn more about choosing anmma gym. Stop by Lin Connor’s site where you can find out all about the ultimate fighting championship