Mixed Martial Art is a combat sport that allows total contact between opponents in a controlled environment such as ring or cage. MMA itself isn’t really categorized into types, since the whole idea is to mix different martial arts techniques. There are almost 180 styles of MMA developed in different parts of the world such as Japan, China and Israel. However, they are commonly classified into three larger groups from where fighters incorporate various styles into their MMA skillset.
- Striking style: The style that covers punches, kicks, knees, and elbows is called striking style and includes Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Savate as examples.
- Grappling style: This style focuses on ground fighting techniques like positional control and submission. Popular examples include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo.
- Wrestling Style: This style allows fighters to take their opponents down to the mat and maintain control, setting up either strikes or submissions. Examples include Freestyle Wrestling and Greco-Roman Wrestling.
The sport gained popularity in the early 1990s with the inception of events like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which pitted practitioners of different martial arts against each other in a no-holds-barred format. Over time, MMA evolved into a more structured and regulated sport, with standardized rules, weight classes, and safety protocols. Fighters typically wear padded gloves and adhere to a set of rules and regulations designed to ensure safety while allowing for effective competition.
Today, MMA has become one of the fastest-growing sports globally, not only as a profession but is also popular among recreational practitioners for its effectiveness in self-defense, fitness, and personal development.