| Mixed martial arts, better known as MMA, is a | | | | to an extent that he/she can no longer fight |
| form of sports that involves the use of a | | | | properly.Competitors participating in MMA |
| mixture of martial art combat techniques to | | | | have to train themselves in a variety of |
| win over the opponent. MMA has become very | | | | fighting styles so that they can effectively |
| popular in recent years and MMA championships | | | | overcome their opponents. MMA training |
| like the "UFC" or Ultimate Fighting | | | | usually involves stand up, clinch and ground |
| Championships have become very popular.MMA | | | | combat. To make the stand up combat |
| began with pitting one martial art technique | | | | effective, boxing and kickboxing are taught. |
| with another under minimal rules, so that the | | | | These improve kicking, punching, kneeing and |
| martial art which would be the most effective | | | | most important of all-footwork. Freestyle |
| in day to day life could be found. Modern | | | | wrestling is taught to improve clinching. |
| mixed martial competitions have evolved from | | | | Additionally, competitors are trained in Muay |
| such events, but rules are much stricter due | | | | Thai to improve the striking power during a |
| to which, the sport has been promoted into | | | | clinch. Training in Brazilian Jujitsu and |
| acceptance. However, there is no centralized | | | | Sambo improves ground combat by improving the |
| sanctioning authority for mixed martial arts | | | | competitor's positioning. Further, shoot |
| and the rules vary from place to place or | | | | wrestling, catch wrestling and judo are |
| organization to organization.Striking and | | | | taught to enhance the competitor's ground |
| grappling are the common techniques used in | | | | combat abilities.Some of the best competitors |
| MMA. Striking techniques involve kicks, knees | | | | are well rounded fighters. But, they all |
| and punches while grappling techniques | | | | specialize really well in one aspect of mixed |
| involve the use of holds, sweeps and throws. | | | | martial arts. Sometimes this style is so |
| Techniques like eye-gouging, biting and fish | | | | dominant that it is overwhelming for the |
| hooking are considered illegal in most MMA | | | | other opponent.Success in modern martial arts |
| competitions. Other techniques like head | | | | lies in adapting many styles. These styles |
| butts, spinal locks and elbows may or may not | | | | have to be altered accordingly. Today, MMA |
| be considered legal in different MMA | | | | competitors do not train in a particular |
| organizations.In MMA competitions, victory is | | | | style but train all the styles together. |
| based on the judge's decision, submission or | | | | Flexibility plays a very important role in |
| knockout. A competitor's corner man can also | | | | succeeding in MMA competitions. MMA is |
| decide the outcome of the match and so can | | | | physically a very demanding sport and being |
| the match doctor if the competitor is injured | | | | competent is the only key to success. |