| Many people are enthusiastically joining one of the | | | | often violent and pressure was placed on the UFC |
| newest and fastest developing sports in Maryland, | | | | to tighten up the rules. The UFC did this, and is |
| Virginia, Washington DC, and other parts of the | | | | now sanctioned by state athletic competitions and |
| country. Mixed martial arts is an exciting | | | | has much tighter rules and regulations. Public |
| development in the martial arts disciplines. People | | | | opinion has now embraced the sport and it's |
| are joining MMA schools to learn Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, | | | | found it's way into the public domain through |
| grappling, Muay Thai kickboxing and much more. | | | | events broadcast on Pay Per View and other |
| Many people join these schools in Maryland, | | | | markets. The UFC is now a popular promoter of |
| Virginia, Washington DC to challenge themselves | | | | mixed martial arts events. Many fighters looking |
| physically and emotionally in ways they haven't | | | | to increase the level of their competition in the |
| been challenged before. And once they realize the | | | | sport look to the UFC as a way to do that. |
| physical and psychological benefits of the MMA, | | | | Dream is a mixed martial arts promotional |
| they become hooked. They want to further the | | | | organization run by Fighting and Entertainment |
| challenge by competing against other mixed | | | | Group. This group, FEG, had developed a MMA |
| martial artists. | | | | series of fights called Hero's. Dream ultimately |
| Competition usually takes place at the MMA | | | | replaced that fight series in early 2008. Dream is a |
| schools, to begin with. Under the direction of a | | | | relatively new organization and is up and coming. |
| teacher, competitors square off against each | | | | Many fighters prefer to fight in Dream fights. A |
| other, testing their newfound skills and pushing | | | | few different rules exist with these fights. Each |
| themselves to a higher level. These competitions | | | | fight is judged entirely by three judges, not on a |
| are conducted under safe supervision. Often, MMA | | | | round by round point system. In these fights, a tie |
| competitors get to the point where they have | | | | is not possible. A winner must always be declared. |
| sparred with the competitors from their MMA | | | | There are differences between the two major |
| school a number of times and feel they want a | | | | mixed martial arts fight promotion organizations, |
| bigger challenge. This is when they look to | | | | UFC and Dream. Those who are looking to |
| competing on a national level. | | | | compete at that level should take a look at the |
| Basically, there are two options available for | | | | differences, including the scoring and the rules, to |
| mixed martial arts competitors in the United | | | | see which organization matches their preferences. |
| States. In 1993, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting | | | | Both organizations promote mixed martial arts |
| Championship) was created. This is now the | | | | and are committed to broadcasting safe fights. |
| largest promoter of MMA competitions in the | | | | If you live in the Maryland, Virginia, Washington |
| world today. The UFC began as a single | | | | DC area, you can check out Lloyd Irvin's, Mixed |
| tournament to showcase the world's best | | | | Martial Arts Academies. They offer a 30 day free |
| fighters, regardless of their styles. The UFC was | | | | trial program on any of the mixed martial arts |
| marketed as a "no holds barred" competition, with | | | | programs. |
| only a few, limited rules. The early fights were | | | | |