ArmyOfOne.co.ukMixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Mixed martial arts is a combat sport characterized by a wide variety of fighting techniques. This sport originated in the early 1990s as a result of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which involved opponents fighting each other with few rules preventing the types of moves allowed.
Over the next two decades the mixed martial arts style evolved, mostly as a result of safety concerns over the UFC style of combat. Mixed martial arts competitions retain the UFC “no holds barred” concept, but also have rules designed to prevent serious injury to combatants.
Mixed martial arts techniques are categorized in two ways: striking techniques (such as kicks and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinches, pinning holds, and throws). Most mixed martial arts competitions prohibit the use of some hand-to-hand techniques, including biting and eye-gouging. Some techniques, such as head-butting, are allowed in some competitions but prohibited in others.
The victor of a mixed martial arts match is decided in a similar manner as a boxing match. The referee can determine that a knockout has occurred, or decide that one competitor is to injured to continue fighting. Alternatively, a competitor can voluntarily submit to the other, or their cornerman can “throw in the towel”. As in boxing, the victor can also be decided on the basis of points assigned by judges.