Where Did MMA Come From?

Mixed Martial Arts is a fairly new term in the sporting world. The original term for this sport was Pankration. In 648 BC, the Greeks introduced this sport. It incorporated the use of both punching and grappling or wrestling techniques. A similar version found its way back to public knowledge in the 1800’s and on into the early 1900’s. The sport was again lost in time until revived in 1993 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC) was established. Since that time many others have followed, International Fighting Championship(IFC) and Elite XC, just to name a few.

Originally Mixed Martial Arts was intended to determine which of the martial arts was best in a combat situation. This brought together the best from each one to prove that theirs was the best. Over the last 15 years the sport has changed very little. The only significant change has bee in the rules. As opposed to the beginning, when there were few rules more have been implemented to help increase the safety of the participants.

MMA has grown in popularity over the last decade and a half. It is being televised almost nightly on a variety of networks including Spike TV. The popularity is most noticeably found in the amount of money their pay-per-view events generate. The sport has grown so much that they have implemented new weight classes. Much like traditional boxing, they now have lightweights, welterweights, middleweights and 2 levels of heavyweights.

Mixed Martial Arts bouts are also very similar to boxing. They are timed, although each round is longer than in boxing, and if both competitors are still on their feet at the end of the match the winner is determined by a panel of judges. Also as in boxing, a knockout will bring and end to the match. The only other way is for a bout to end is for one of the competitors to “tap out” or submit, admitting defeat.
Mixed Martial Arts is a sport that although fairly new to the sporting world, is growing faster and faster every day. The fans are not only attending competitions and buying the merchandise but they are also joining gyms in the hopes that they can one day become on of the competitors themselves.

Keep in mind that although MMA is a great form of exercise it can also be very dangerous for those that are not adequately prepared for competition. This is not a backyard sport that everyone should try. The best place to train if you are serious about competing is in a gym with professional trainers.