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