Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, using techniques from various combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the term “mixed martial arts” was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.
Early History
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows both striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, using techniques from other combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the term “mixed martial arts” was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The term gained popularity when newfullcontact.com, then one of the largest websites covering the sport, hosted and republished the article.
The question of who actually coined the term is subject to debate. UFC president Dana White claimed that he heard it when watching a documentary on Brazilian television about a fight between fighter Royce Gracie and Art Jimmerson, in which Gracie was victorious despite being outweighed by more than thirty pounds. White said that upon hearing it, he immediately thought it would be a great name for the sport. Martial artist Bruce Lee is also credited with having coined the term during an interview with The Ring magazine in 1967 when asked about his concept of “the ultimate fighting man”.
The Gracie Family and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, using techniques from various combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the term “mixed martial arts” was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The term gained popularity when newfull contact rule sets for various hybrid martial arts became popular in the first decade of the 21st century.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) came to international prominence in the early 1990s, when BJJ expert Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships, which at the time were single-elimination martial arts tournaments. Royce often fought against much larger opponents who practiced other styles, including boxing, wrestling, shoot-fighting, karate and taekwondo. It has since become a staple art and key component for many MMA fighters. BJJ and Brazilian jiu-jitsu are widely considered to be among the best grappling arts in existence.
Gracie or Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an essential part of MMA because it specializes in ground fighting which most fights end up going to the ground at some point during a bout. And while othermartial arts styles train takedowns specifically, few devote as much time to submissions and groundwork as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu does.
The Rise of The Ultimate Fighting Championship
In the early 1990s, the Gracie family, founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, started to gain notoriety in the United States after winning multiple Vale Tudo (no holds barred) tournaments in Brazil. In 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship was created as a single event to determine which fighting style was the most effective. The tournament was open to any fighter willing to compete and there were few rules, leading some to label it as “human cockfighting.”
The first UFC event was won by Royce Gracie, a small Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter who was able to submit larger opponents with ease. This sparked a renewed interest in martial arts in the US and helped solidify Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as one of the most important styles in MMA.
With the success of the first UFC event, several more tournaments were held throughout the 1990s. These events allowed different styles to compete against each other and helped further develop the sport of MMA. In 1997, UFC 12 introduced weight classes and gloves became mandatory, leading to a wider acceptance of MMA as a legitimate sport.
Today, MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world with organizations such as the UFC holding events all over the globe. Fighters come from all different backgrounds and train in a variety of styles, making for exciting and unpredictable matchups.
What are The Different Mixed Martial Arts Disciplines?
Mixed martial arts is a full-contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and strategies, from a mix of martial arts traditions and non-traditions, to be used in competitions.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and self-defense system that focuses on grappling and submissions. It was derived from the Japanese martial art of Kodokan judo in the 1920s. Brazilian jiu-jitsu eventually came to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices, and adaptation of judo.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is divided into three main groups: self-defense, sports jiu-jitsu, and vale tudo. Vale tudo translates to “anything goes”, which is a fitting name for the nastiest form of no holds barred fighting. Sports jiu-jitsu is what you typically see in mixed martial arts competitions like the UFC. The goal is to submit your opponent using techniques like chokes and arm locks.
In self-defense applications, there is an emphasis on escaping from an attacker who has you in a bad position. This can include techniques like throws and takedowns to get yourself out of a situation where you are outnumbered or outmatched.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is often considered to be one of the most effective martial arts for self-defense. This is because it uses leverage and techniques that allow a smaller person to take down a much larger opponent. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has proven itself time and time again in mixed martial arts competitions as well as in real life self defense situations.
Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the oldest martial arts disciplines, with roots stretching back thousands of years. In the early days of mixed martial arts, wrestling was often used as a base discipline, with fighters using their wrestling skills to take down their opponents.
While wrestling is no longer as prevalent in mixed martial arts as it once was, it is still an important part of the sport, and many fighters use it to control and defeat their opponents.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, sometimes referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs”, is a discipline of martial arts that uses punches, kicks, knees and elbows in its stand-up striking. Muay Thai is sort of the national sport and martial art of Thailand. It has roots in both Chinese and Indian martial arts. In Muay Thai, fighters use both their fists and feet to deliver strikes. Muay Thai practitioners are often known for their incredibly strong legs and Muay Thai kicks are considered some of the most dangerous in all of martial arts.
Boxing
Boxing is a discipline of mixed martial arts that uses punching as its primary means of attack. Stand-up striking, as well as clinching techniques, are used in boxing. A boxer evaluates his or her opponents using orthodox or southpaw stance, and works to evade return fire with footwork. Headgear is not worn in professional bouts, and boxers are generally required to wear protective gloves.
Is Mixed Martial Arts in The Olympics
No, mixed martial arts is not in the Olympics. However, the history of mixed martial arts is interesting. Mixed martial arts is a blend of different fighting styles, such as boxing, wrestling, judo, and more. The first recorded instance of a mixed martial arts match was in 648 BC in Greece.
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Mixed martial arts is not currently an Olympic sport, but there is an international governing body working to change that. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) was founded in 2012 with the goal of getting MMA included in the Summer Olympic Games.
The IMMAF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a provisional member, and they have been working diligently to meet all the requirements for full membership. They are currently working on finalizing the rules and regulations for the sport, as well as increasing its global reach.
While mixed martial arts may not be in the Olympics yet, it has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 20th century. It has grown into a popular spectator sport with a large following all over the world.
The Olympic Council of Asia
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a continental governing body of Asia, founded in February 1949. The OCA consists of 45 National Olympic Committees from across Asia, covering almost the entire continent. The mission and vision of the Olympic Council of Asia is to “lead Asia and the world in sports through Asian excellence.”
Mixed martial arts is not currently an Olympic sport, but it has been approved as a demonstration sport for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The sport will also be featured at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The history of mixed martial arts can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where different types of combat were often held as spectator sports. In the late 18th century, English boxing championJack Broughton codified rules for the sport, which became known as “Broughton’s rules.” These rules were later adopted by the London Prize Ring Association in 1838.
In 1863, French military officer Baron Pierre de Coubertin advocated for the inclusion of physical education in schools and the revival of boxing as an Olympic sport. Boxing was eventually included as a demonstration sport at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, United States. However, it was not until 1920 that boxing became a regular event at the Olympiad.
Mixed martial arts has undergone a tremendous amount of growth since its inception in late 1800s. In 1993, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Rorion Gracie founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which helped popularize mixed martial arts and bring it into mainstream consciousness.