| Mixed martial arts fighting was invented as a result of | | | | their opponents with their knees, stomp on their |
| competitions that were held pitting masters of | | | | feet, and use their elbows to strike. Both Muay Thai |
| various fighting styles against each other, in an | | | | fighters and wrestlers make use of these techniques |
| attempt to determine which fighting style was best. | | | | to bring down their opponents. Body locks and neck |
| Mixed martial arts was created by people such as | | | | clinches have been used by many fighters to bring an |
| Bruce Lee, who combined various styles of fighting | | | | opponent down to the mat. |
| into his own unique style that incorporated striking, | | | | Ground-and-pound is a mixed martial art form that |
| submissions fighting, and wrestling. Most of the | | | | involves throwing your opponent or taking them |
| fighters of today learn to fight in more than one | | | | down, then striking them from a dominant position. A |
| style, making them effective fighters both in and out | | | | submission grapple often follows. Many mixed martial |
| of the tournament ring. The following are some of | | | | arts fighters who make use of this form have found |
| the mixed martial arts fighting styles used in combat | | | | it to be invaluable as the fight can be expected to go |
| today by professional fighters. | | | | to the mat many times before it is over. |
| Sprawl-and-brawl is a combination of striking standing | | | | A submission hold or grapple is used to pin an |
| up and using various sprawl techniques to take down | | | | opponent to the ground until the match referee is |
| opponents. Boxers, kick-boxers, and full contact | | | | able to call the match. Originally a technique taught in |
| karate practitioners all utilize some form of | | | | Army Combat, it has been incorporated into mixed |
| sprawl-and-brawl mixed martial arts fighting, and will all | | | | martial arts fighting styles because it is a highly |
| have received some training in wrestling techniques in | | | | effective technique that can be used from either a |
| order to avoid being easily taken down by | | | | top or bottom position. Most fighters will also learn |
| opponents. Part of the efficiency of this style comes | | | | how to counter this particular move so that they can |
| from the ability of sprawl-and-brawl fighters to hold | | | | break free in the event that it is used on them. |
| their own while down on the mat until they are able | | | | Finally, mixed martial arts fighters who are able to |
| to get free or the match referee restarts the bout. | | | | bring their opponents to the mat but lack the |
| Clinch fighting is a form of mixed martial arts fighting | | | | strength to finish them off make use of the |
| that makes use of clinch holds to prevent opponents | | | | lay-and-pray technique, which involves waiting for the |
| from getting enough distance to strike effectively. | | | | referee to call the match. Sometimes, fighters who |
| Fighters who make use of clinch fighting then strike | | | | use this tactic are penalized for being too aggressive. |