| Mixed martial arts (or MMA) has taken the world | | | | they are fighting on their feet or on the ground. |
| by storm in the past few years, making regular | | | | During MMA training a fighter may use wrestling |
| appearances on pay-per-view and regular cable | | | | or judo to get a fight to the ground right away, |
| channels as well as live shows around the United | | | | then use techniques learned from Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
| States and the world. MMA events may have | | | | to submit his opponent and end the fight. Some |
| local, amateur fighters, or national professional | | | | fighters prefer to stay on their feet using boxing |
| fighters, or appearances by both! You may have | | | | and Muay Thai strikes until knocking their |
| seen shows like The Ultimate Fighter ot Tap Out | | | | opponent out or onto the ground. Muay Thai |
| which chronicle fighters, their training and | | | | training is good for mixed martial arts training not |
| subsequent competition. Or you may have seen | | | | only for its strikes, but for the clinch. The clinch is |
| promotions like The UFC, Dream or Strikeforce | | | | a position in which the fighters are in close contact |
| and been simultaneously amazed and curious as | | | | on the feet, trying to control the head or the |
| to how to get started in MMA. Here is an | | | | arms of their opponent. Not only can the clinch be |
| overview of the sport and what you'll need to | | | | a great position and set-up for knee and elbow |
| begin to educate yourself on before you begin. | | | | strikes, the clinch can also be used to control the |
| Mixed martial arts is a competitive martial arts | | | | opponent against the cage and set-up a takedown |
| style that combines several different forms of | | | | attempt. |
| combative styles to create a well-rounded and | | | | When choosing a school to begin your mixed |
| multi-faceted game. Fights can be won by | | | | martial arts training, it is best to choose a school |
| submission from a joint lock or choke, submission | | | | that has a number of different martial arts styles |
| due to strikes, a knockout, or a judges decision if | | | | taught separately from the regular mixed martial |
| a submission or knockout has not occurred. The | | | | arts class. Many schools have websites that |
| main forms of martial arts used in mixed martial | | | | outline the various training styles that are offered |
| arts training are boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, | | | | and the focus of the school. Schools in cities |
| and Muay Thai training. | | | | across the country offer MMA - St Louis, |
| A successful mixed martial artist is proficient at | | | | Milwaukee, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and |
| most or all of the styles listed above so they can | | | | Miami included. Do your research first to make |
| dominate the ring and their opponent whether | | | | the most of your training time! |