| Mixed martial arts, better known as MMA, is a form | | | | match and so can the match doctor if the |
| of sports that involves the use of a mixture of | | | | competitor is injured to an extent that he/she can no |
| martial art combat techniques to win over the | | | | longer fight properly. |
| opponent. MMA has become very popular in recent | | | | Competitors participating in MMA have to train |
| years and MMA championships like Ultimate fighting | | | | themselves in a variety of fighting styles so that |
| championship have become very widely known. | | | | they can effectively overcome their opponents. MMA |
| MMA began with pitting one martial art technique | | | | training usually involves stand up, clinch and ground |
| with another under minimal rules, so that the martial | | | | combat. To make the stand up combat effective, |
| art which would be the most effective in day to day | | | | boxing and kickboxing are taught. These improve |
| life could be found out. Modern mixed martial | | | | kicking, punching, kneeing and most important of |
| competitions have evolved from such events, but | | | | all-footwork. Freestyle wrestling is taught to improve |
| rules are much stricter due to which, the sport has | | | | clinching. Additionally, competitors are trained in Muay |
| been promoted into acceptance. However, there is | | | | Thai to improve the striking power during a clinch. |
| no centralized sanctioning authority for mixed martial | | | | Training in Brazilian Jujitsu and Sambo improves |
| arts and the rules vary from place to place or | | | | ground combat by improving the competitor's |
| organization to organization. | | | | positioning. Further, shoot wrestling, catch wrestling |
| Striking and grappling are the common techniques | | | | and judo are taught to enhance the competitor's |
| used in MMA. Striking techniques involve kicks, knees | | | | ground combat abilities. |
| and punches while grappling techniques involve the | | | | Success in modern martial arts lies in adapting many |
| use of holds, sweeps and throws. Techniques like | | | | styles. These styles have to be altered accordingly. |
| eye-gouging, biting and fish hooking are considered | | | | Today, MMA competitors do not train in a particular |
| illegal in most MMA competitions. Other techniques like | | | | style but train all the styles together. Flexibility plays a |
| head butts, spinal locks and elbows may or may not | | | | very important role in succeeding in MMA |
| be considered legal in different MMA organizations. | | | | competitions. MMA is physically a very demanding |
| In MMA competitions, victory is based on the judge's | | | | sport and being competent is the only key to |
| decision, submission or knockout. A competitor's | | | | success. |
| corner man can also deicide the outcome of the | | | | |