Go2Karate-School Listing of Mixed Martial Arts Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is a combat sport that uses a combination of fighting

techniques from various martial art forms around the world. It is a full contact sport, meaning combatants are allowed to use significant physical force on one another, within a framework of rules. MMA allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques derived from other martial arts disciplines like Jiu Jitsu, !rav Maga, !arate and "udo among many others. #he term $mixed martial arts% was coined by a television critic named &oward 'osenberg, when he was reviewing the ()* +, the first combat sports event of its kind, hosted by the (ltimate )ighting *hampionship ,()*-. .ince its debut in +//0, the ()* has come a long way, gaining much popularity among audiences that were drawn to this hybrid style of martial arts that derived its elements from other martial art forms. Rules of MMA #hough the ()* went by the tagline $there are no rules%, it did have limited rules at the time of its inception. *ombatants were not allowed indulge in biting and eye gouging. &owever there were no rules to stop contestants engaging in hair pulling, blows to the groin and head butting. In time, organi1ers reali1ed the need for a stricter set of rules, to protect the physical health of the fighters, to break out of the image of a bloody and savage sport due to the level of brutality in early fights, and to gain recognition as a legitimate combat sport. #he first addition to the rulebook for the ()* was the categori1ation of fighters into different brackets based on their weight. #he MMA rulebook as of today has nine different weight classes which are as follows2 Flyweight 3 +45lbs and below Banta weight +45lbs +05lbs Featherweight 3 +05lbs +65lbs Lightweight 3 +65lbs +55lbs !elterweight 3 +55lbs +78lbs Middleweight 3 +78lbs +95lbs Light "ea#yweight 3 +95lbs3485lbs "ea#yweight 3 485lbs34:5lbs Su$er "ea#yweight 4:5lbs and above ,no upper limitRules of #ictory In mixed martial arts, victory can be achieved in the following ways2 Su% ission #his involves a combatant yielding to the other, accepting defeat in order to avoid further in"ury. A submission may be verbal, where the losing contestant accepts defeat by tapping the floor;his opponent<s body three times in succession ,usually in response to an unbreakable hold- or can be technical,declared by a referee- in cases where fighters are rendered unconscious. Knoc&out A knockout is achieved when one fighter wears down the opponent to a degree where the opponent cannot continue fighting any longer. #echnical knockouts are the ruling of referees, in cases where a referee deems that a fighter is no longer intelligently capable of protecting himself, is taking excessive damage due to an in"ury, or appears to be steadily losing consciousness while fighting. 'octor sto$$age A doctor stoppage is called for when the ring doctor inspects the fighter for intensity of in"uries and finds that the fighter is no longer fit for combat and the other combatant becomes the victor by default. Another kind of stoppage is when a fighter<s corner man yields on his;her behalf, by throwing in the towel to signal submission. Retire ent

'etirement occurs when a fighter is physically exhausted beyond any ability to continue fighting. Forfeiture )orfeiture is the submission of one combatant before the fight begins, thereby making the second fighter victorious by default (oints to consider =ith so many schools offering various types of martial art form lessons, it is important to keep some points in mind before you take up Mixed Martial Arts. )irst, ask yourself why you want to get into MMA> Are you planning to get into competitive sport or are you keen on improving your fitness levels> Answering this elementary question helps you decide what kind of school you want to go to and the instructor to choose. Also, it helps you decide if you are truly interested in MMA or will any other martial art form do for you. Ask yourself what your motivation is and where your passion lies. ?ext, you could talk to your instructor, watch a few lessons in progress, talk to others who already are practicing the art form to help you prepare for your classes. If you have already trained in one or the other forms of martial arts such as Judo or @ra1ilian, it serves as a great starting point to build on your MMA sessions. =ork out a good diet program, as healthy meals are often half the battle won. Benefits #he benefits of MMA are many. A student not only learns self discipline, control and motivation, but also learns how to focus. *oncentration is an important factor when it comes to any martial art form. Mixed martial arts also help you use these same skills in other facets of your life. It helps you de stress, learn balance and makes you a strong and confident individual.