| The most popular MMA competitions today are | | | | seen in MMA today: |
| definitely put on by the UFC (Ultimate Fighting | | | | - Boxing - Sometimes referred to as the 'Sweet |
| Championship). The UFC championships were | | | | Science'. Boxers utilize quick foot movements and |
| originally designed to test different martial arts | | | | technical punching with the fists. |
| fighting styles against each other to settle the | | | | - Brazilian Jui Jitsu - Developed from the Japanese |
| debate as to which was the best. A debate that | | | | art by the Gracie family in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil |
| has no doubt been going on for hundreds of | | | | this martial art has proven one of the most |
| years. However these days many fighters are | | | | influential and successful in MMA competition. |
| now masters of several styles of martial arts and | | | | - Judo - Also derived from Japanese Jui Jitsu is |
| MMA has become almost a fighting style of it's | | | | well known for it's throws and holds and is one of |
| own, combining both stand up and ground fighting. | | | | the few martial arts to be featured in the |
| Making the UFC more of a pure test of man | | | | Olympics. |
| against man instead of style against style. Though | | | | - Karate - There are several well known forms of |
| there is no doubt that this evolution has many | | | | karate, with Kenpo being heralded as the first |
| advantages and that any smart fighter stepping in | | | | 'Americanized' version of karate. |
| the octagon is best versed in a variety of | | | | - Kickboxing - Also one of the more popular |
| techniques and skills. | | | | styles in the UFC, with many effective techniques |
| Some martial arts and fighting styles have | | | | for use in MMA tournaments. There are many |
| distinguished themselves as constant staples in | | | | styles including Muay Thai featuring elbow and |
| MMA and the UFC and have proven to have very | | | | knee strikes. |
| effective techniques when used in the octagon. | | | | - Wrestling - One of the world's oldest sports. |
| How would they really stack up in the street? | | | | There are a number of wrestling styles including |
| Well that's a different argument one that isn't | | | | the popular Greco-Roman and Freestyle styles of |
| likely to be solved unless true gladiator style | | | | wrestling that use take downs and throws to |
| gruesome battles to the death were made legal. | | | | subdue opponents without strikes. |
| So let's take a look at the most traditional styles | | | | |