| Martial arts are a sport that combines a variety of | | | | called Mixed Martial Arts, which is also commonly |
| different methods of combat. In some cases, martial | | | | known as MMA. Mixed Martial Arts is a combination of |
| arts are used only for use, in other cases, they are | | | | a variety of styles of the art, in which opponents |
| used in head-to-head combat, in generally controlled | | | | attempt to overpower the other using a variety of |
| situations, such as matches or shows. Because martial | | | | techniques. |
| arts includes a variety of different styles, it is normal | | | | While it is a combination of a variety of techniques, |
| when a person thinks of them, that they think of | | | | the most popular techniques are those in stand up |
| one specific types, for example, karate. | | | | styles, clinch styles, and ground styles. Most fighters |
| However, there is more to martial arts than just | | | | focus on a particular skill, but must have training in all |
| karate. For instance, Karate is a stand up style of the | | | | skills to be successful. It is more common for fighters |
| art, in which Kung Fu, San Shou, Tae Kwon Do, | | | | to have a variety of coaches that train for the |
| Wushu, Kray Maga, Kickboxing, and Boxing also | | | | various phases of combat, it is not common place |
| belong. When focusing on styles such as these, also | | | | nowadays for a fighter to specialize in one specific |
| known as stand u styles, blocking, kicking, and | | | | area of combat. |
| punching are the foremost focus when it comes to | | | | Because mixed martial arts is a recognized sport, with |
| these forms of arts. | | | | two specific organizations, the PRIDE Fighting |
| Another style of the arts is called grappling or ground | | | | Championships and the Ultimate Fighting |
| fighting. These are forms of wrestling, that includes | | | | Championship, there are rules and regulations. |
| the martial art practices of Greco-Roman wrestling, | | | | For example, weight classes are a requirement in |
| Sambo, Shoot fighting, Shooto, and Brazilian Jujitsu. | | | | these rules, they pair like weights with other like |
| Yet another style is what is called throwing styles, in | | | | weights to make fights more fair. In these rules |
| which an opponent attempts to unbalance the other | | | | there are a variety of fouls and penalties as well. |
| by using means of locks, trips, or throws. Within this | | | | These rules were designed to eliminate the picture of |
| style, arts such as Hapkido, Shuai Jiao, Aikido, and | | | | barbaric fighting, in which two people fight to the |
| Judo reside. | | | | death, as many people once believe mixed martial |
| For weapons based martial arts, these are arts | | | | arts to be. These fouls were designed to protect the |
| performed using weapons, and for the most part are | | | | fighters. Penalties are awarded to the fighter for fish |
| only used during cultural and traditional displays, | | | | hooking, biting, pulling hair, gouging eyes, and head |
| though Kali is still used as an effort of self-defense | | | | butting. |
| and combat. Arts within this category include Kendo, | | | | Attacks to the groin is illegal in mixed martial arts, as |
| Lado, and Kali. | | | | well as strikes to the kidneys, spinal area, and the |
| Not all martial art styles are used for combative | | | | back of an opponents head. The trachea is off limits |
| purposes today, even if they were originally designed | | | | as well, a fighter may not grab or strike the trachea |
| for that purpose. Now, many are instead used for | | | | of the opponent. Joint manipulation, such as toes and |
| exercise, relief of stress, internal energy, and | | | | fingers, is allowed. There are many rules, this area |
| breathing. Some of these meditative or low impact | | | | has only touched the surface, but you can basically |
| styles include the arts of Chi Gong, Ba Gua, and Tai | | | | get the idea that mixed martial arts is a controlled |
| Chi. | | | | and very regulated sport, designed for the physical |
| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) | | | | fitness and enjoyment of the sport, with the health |
| What happens when you combine techniques from | | | | of the fighter in mind. |
| the different forms of martial arts? You get what is | | | | |