You will have heard or even be familiar with martial arts like judo or karate. But, are you aware that there is a sport called – MMA or Mixed Martial Arts ?

Mixed martial art is a full contact combat sport where the fighters employ a number of different fighting techniques to overpower their opponents. There are a set of rules that allow the opponents to make use of different grappling and hitting techniques while standing as well as on the ground.

Mixed martial arts or MMA was originally called Pankration when it was first introduced in the Olympic Games by the Greeks in 648 B.C. There are records that prove that a similar version of this sport was continued to be played through the 1800’s and 1900’s until it was introduced as the mixed martial arts in 1993 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC was established.

MMA was originally created when fighters of different discipline were gathered to find out which technique worked best in a combat. Initially there were only a few rules for this sport, but now more rules have been implemented to increase the safety of the fighters and also to help promote this growing sport.

Because of these changes it is now possible for you to watch the Ultimate Fighting Championship on television. Studies show that this sport is growing in popularity and has more audience than either boxing or wrestling, as more people are willing to use the pay per view channels in which the mixed martial arts competitions are aired.

Today there are five different weight categories in MMA that are approved by UFC and they are the 67 to 70 kg category called lightweight, the 71 to 77 kg called welterweight, the 78 to 84 kg called middleweight, the 85 to 93 kg called light heavyweight and the 94 to 120 kg called heavy weight. There are also four other different weight categories but are not used by UFC currently.

One of the major differences between boxing or wrestling and mixed martial arts is the shape of the ring in which the combat occurs. While the boxing or wrestling ring is rectangular in shape, the MMA competition is conducted in an octagonal shaped ring. The eight sided cage is made of metal chain link fence that is coated with black vinyl. The entry and exit gates that are located at opposite ends in the ring, the space between the eight walls and the top of the fence are adequately padded for safety.

Appropriate attire has to be worn by competitors who enter the ring. Fighters have to wear approved shorts and gloves and no shoes. They should also have a minimum of one inch padding covering their knuckles in such a way that they can grab their opponents without causing injury to their hands.

The outcome of the mixed martial arts is quite simple. The game is over the instant a fighter taps the floor or if one of the competitors is knocked unconscious. In case, both the opponents are standing when the match is over, then the winner of the competition is determined by the judges.

Any unauthorized contact by a fighter with his opponent is declared a foul. Points are deducted from the concerned fighter by the referee. The referee also has the authority to disqualify a competitor in case the foul was made intentionally or declare a no contest if it was unintentional.

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