Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Often touted as “The fastest growing sport on the Planet” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport, where competitors aim to dominate their opponent via strikes and non-gi grappling, whilst standing or on the floor.
Variations on the theme of Mixed Martial Arts have been seen throughout history; including Pankration in the ancient Olympics, Brazilian Vale Tudo and Japanese Shooto events.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as it known today, began to gain World-wide exposure in the 1990’s, with the birth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in America and Pride in Japan. Since this time a number of adaptations have been made to the rules of the sport to ensure the safety of the fighters, as well as to gain mainstream acceptance.
Common styles used within Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) include Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai (Thaiboxing), Sombo, and Submission Wrestling. Compared to these ‘pure’ forms, the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) practitioner has to modify these styles to make them useful; for example modifying their Muay Thai (Thaiboxing) to defend takedowns and adapting their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for the non-gi environment.
Training for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) includes a mixture offensive and defensive standing striking and grappling, throws and takedowns, and ground strikes and submissions.
Ultimate Warrior Challenge 17 – October 2011
Combat Submission Wrestling Seminar – July 2011
BAMMA 6 – May 2011
Peter Squire
Chelmsford Competition – May 2011