United World Muay Thai Association

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts, is a sport compounded with various tactics from Judo, Karate, Jujitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai or Thai boxing, and other fields. Previously, the sport received a lot of criticism as it was regarded as a bloodthirsty sport lacking rules; but the notion gradually changed and MMA has come out as one of the globe's fast-growing fan base sports since the start of the21st century.

Mixed martial art events are endorsed in all U.S. states and in other several countries.

Brief History of MMA:
Mixed Martial Arts were presumed to preexist in the prehistoric Olympic games in 648BC during the martial training of Greek soldiers, thus being deemed as the bloodshed sport of prehistoric Greece. The ruthless tournament integrated boxing, wrestling, and street fighting while biting and eye gashing were prohibited. The game would come to an end in the event that one of the fighters conceded defeat or was rendered senseless; some fighters would die during the competition.

The Roman Emperor, Theodosius I prohibited the Olympic competitions in 393CE, bringing to an end Pankration as a famous sport. In the 20th century, in Brazil, Pankration reemerged via a ruthless sport called vale tudo- meaning anything goes. In 1925, the two brothers, Gracie Helio and Carlos, promoted the game by establishing a jujitsu academy in Rio de Janeiro. The crowd grew bigger forcing the brothers to accommodate them in football stadiums.

MMA came to light in North America when the Gracie's unrelentingly exhibited their trademark jujitsu in the U.S in the 1990s. An event in 1993, at Denver, Colorado, in which Gracie Royce, Helio's son, took part ended up being called Ultimate Fighting Championship and also the main promoter of MMA events. The event gained more viewers even on television which attained 300000 viewers in the third tournament.

US senator by then John McCain, wanted the sport banned since he viewed the activity as human cockfighting thus being a dangerous activity. To avert the notion, the new stakeholders of UFC established rules to ensure the event was less harmful. They, therefore, increased weight classes, rounds, and time limits and prolonged the list of fouls in the cage which in turn limited the number of brawlers. Regulations of the sport in the United States were enhanced after the sport received recognition from leaders such as John McCain that it had made outstanding progress.

Even though making money was a difficult thing to do in its initial years, UFC in the end progressed into an exceptional money-making organization. In 2005, the Ultimate Fighter reality TV show enhanced the profitability of UFC by airing its activities and in 2013, UFC also began showcasing women as both coaches and competitors.

Rules and regulations of MMA
The ultimate Fighter competition embraced principles understood as the unified rules of mixed martial arts. The rules stipulated that fighters wrestle in a ring, wrestle using padded fingerless gloves, but avoid putting on shoes or head bonnet. In addition, participants may aim, hit, knock, or seize their rivals and ambush may be executed from an upright position or while on the ground. The things prohibited included brawling, delving, biting, pulling of hair, pubic area attacks, and strikes of the throat, elbow, spines, and back of the head. In case the fighter goes against any of these, the referee has the authority to warn, reduce points, or dismiss the offending fighter.

Within the unified rules, non-tournament MMA fights comprise three rounds, each of five minutes, and a one-minute rest between every round. Championship contests are synchronized for five rounds. A competitor wins the contest by exhausting the other competitor or by forcing him to surrender through verbal signals showing he can't proceed. If the fight continues without signs of it ending, a bench of three judges decides the winner by using boxing's ten-point must system- the champion of the series earns ten points, and the runner up earns nine or fewer points.

Basic principles of mixed martial arts (MMA)
Every encounter in mixed martial arts requires preparation and failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Success inside the ring depends upon learning the following fundamental concepts or strategies.

1. The Jab
It is the most essential strategy needed in MMA. It gives the fighter a tool for distance management and a base for executing mixes and ambush. Also, it can be used for defense either by reversing the opponent with force or tweaking the lead hand out as a fast and expected countermove.

2. The single-leg takedown
It suits beginners though it may take time and effort to learn the tool. To avoid being disadvantaged in the ring, at least practice this strategy before applying it in order to limit the risk of being overpowered by your opponent.

3. The low kick
Also referred to as the Muay Thai, the low kick is available in several types and offers different functions. It is essential to master the tool regardless of your level of competition since failing to protect yourself against low kicks will possibly expose you to more trouble.

4. The Sprawl
Trainers always look out for trainees who have knowledge of movement, range, and distance management. However, the failure to have a sprawl inside the ring could prove difficult for the wrestler to keep up with the fight. Learning sprawl will help a fighter prevent the opponent from establishing their dominance as it helps in keeping the fight on the feet.

5. The clinch
Learning to perform inside the clinch is important as it will help you know how to counter the gap between you and your competitor. To have a better idea about clinching and winning battles, you have to constantly practice and have information about the different methods needed.

6. The overhead
The technique originated from western boxing and has gained fame in MMA, especially among those who understand it well. The overhead is a shot that curls over the opponent. Equipping yourself with the skills of throwing the overhead left or right will guarantee you more points as long as you guard yourself against open head kicks, elbows, and knees.