| Mixed martial arts, often referred to as | | | | this position, fighters can utilize |
| MMA, is currently a growing phenomenon | | | | knees to the body or head and dictate |
| in the United States, though the sport | | | | the positioning of the opponent. Another |
| has been popular in many other countries | | | | huge aspect of mixed martial arts is |
| for decades. MMA brings together a | | | | ground fighting. It is very common for a |
| diverse array of fighting disciplines | | | | fight to end up on the ground at some |
| into one competitive arena hence the | | | | point during the competition. Wrestlers |
| sport's name. Regulated to ensure | | | | usually favor attempting to get their |
| fighter safety, MMA now allows us to | | | | foe to the ground so that submissions |
| view a much richer human combat | | | | can be attempted. Taking a fight to the |
| experience, pitting disciplines from | | | | ground also nullifies much of an |
| around the globe against each other in | | | | opponent's striking options and is |
| the ultimate one on one competition. | | | | usually a fighter's strategy when facing |
| Often compared and contrasted to boxing, | | | | a superior striker. Once grounded and in |
| MMA offers dimensions not found in | | | | a dominate position, strikes can be used |
| boxing such as take downs, kicks and | | | | (also known as "ground and pound) or |
| submission holds. While there are many | | | | submissions can be applied. Mixed |
| obscure disciplines and sub-styles, this | | | | martial arts incorporates so many unique |
| article will outline the three broad | | | | fighting disciplines and strategies that |
| combat situations that fighters find | | | | mastering one could be a life long |
| themselves in when competing in mixed | | | | endeavor. Often, fighters will become |
| martial arts. When most people think of | | | | familiar with other styles not |
| a fight, striking from a standing | | | | necessarily so that they can utilize |
| position is what immediately comes to | | | | them, but so that they can defend |
| mind. Indeed striking is a huge part of | | | | against them. For instance, it isn't |
| the sport of MMA, namely punches, kicks, | | | | uncommon for strikers to learn |
| knees and elbows. Most MMA organizations | | | | submissions even if they never plan to |
| have restrictions on where fighters may | | | | use them. This enables the fighters to |
| strike an opponent and in what situation | | | | recognize and defend against holds that |
| a strike is legal to apply. For | | | | an opponent may be setting up or |
| instance, some organizations do not | | | | attempting. For years, people have |
| allow strikes to the back of the head or | | | | debated which fighting discipline is |
| spine and disallow kicks to the head of | | | | superior and MMA seems to be as close to |
| a downed opponent. Rules such as these | | | | a true proving ground as there is. So |
| are helping the sport become more | | | | much depends on mastery and execution of |
| accepted by not only mainstream viewers, | | | | the discipline by the individual fighter |
| but state athletic commissions as well. | | | | however, not simply the discipline |
| Kickboxing, Boxing and Muay Thai are | | | | itself, as is evidenced by the diverse |
| fighting disciplines that place heavy | | | | fighters that have found success in this |
| emphasis on striking, particularly from | | | | incredibly exciting sport. |
| a standing position. Some disciplines, | | | | Eric Pratt has been following different |
| in particular Muay Thai, rely on | | | | MMA promotions over the years and runs a |
| utilizing a standing position called | | | | free web community geared specifically |
| "the clinch" to control and ultimately | | | | towards the UFC. Visit to discuss MMA, |
| defeat an adversary. The clinch involves | | | | read the latest MMA news, watch free UFC |
| gripping an opponent behind the neck or | | | | video clips and vote to predict fight |
| head, usually with fingers interlaced, | | | | outcomes for the chance to win free |
| and pulling forward and downward. From | | | | prizes. |