While it might seem as though mixed martial arts is a new sport, the roots of this sport date back to the ancient Olympics of Greece. The sport then was known as pankration, a fierce combination of striking and grappling skills.
During the 19th Century, there are numerous examples of MMA-style fights that incorporated many different types of wrestling and fighting styles taking place throughout Europe. In the United States, one of the first recorded instances of a mixed martial arts-style fight occurred between champion boxer John Sullivan and champion Greco-Roman wrestler William Muldoon, with Muldoon slamming Sullivan into the mat in just minutes. From there, there are many instances of professional boxers and wrestlers meeting in the ring for fights that combined multiple fighting styles.
As the sport progressed, there are records throughout the Pacific Rim, Asia and Europe of mixed-style fights. In Brazil, the Gracie family was hugely influential in the beginnings of vale tudo fighting, which included their own signature form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These vale tudo or "everything allowed" fights included Jiu Jitsu as well as many other styles of fighting.
Although many assume he was mainly a Kung Fu fighter, Bruce Lee is often hailed as the father of modern mixed martial arts. He created his own philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, which combined Kung Fu with many other fighting styles. He believed that a fighter should be able to use many styles of fighting, including kicking, punching, and grappling. This well-rounded fighting style has evolved into the style of mixed martial arts that we see today.
MMA gained a mainstream following in the early 1990s with the creation of Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC. UFC has become the largest MMA promotion company in the world, with many of the world's top fighters on its roster. The group rose to prominence after the first UFC championship, when legendary fighter Royce Gracie defeated three other fighters in just five minutes. From there, interest in the sport grew exponentially, as well as concerns about the general lack of regulations within the sport. In 2000, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were created, which are used throughout the United States.
In addition to UFC, there have been several other groups that have been created for the purpose of holding MMA competitions, most notably Strikeforce. Strikeforce originated as a kickboxing organization but evolved into mixed martial arts. In 2006, Strikeforce's first large-scale MMA event, Shamrock vs. Gracie, broke MMA audience attendance records. This record would stand until UFC 129 in 2011. During 2011, Strikeforce was purchased by the company that owns UFC; however, the owners have stated that two will remain separate entities.
During the 19th Century, there are numerous examples of MMA-style fights that incorporated many different types of wrestling and fighting styles taking place throughout Europe. In the United States, one of the first recorded instances of a mixed martial arts-style fight occurred between champion boxer John Sullivan and champion Greco-Roman wrestler William Muldoon, with Muldoon slamming Sullivan into the mat in just minutes. From there, there are many instances of professional boxers and wrestlers meeting in the ring for fights that combined multiple fighting styles.
As the sport progressed, there are records throughout the Pacific Rim, Asia and Europe of mixed-style fights. In Brazil, the Gracie family was hugely influential in the beginnings of vale tudo fighting, which included their own signature form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These vale tudo or "everything allowed" fights included Jiu Jitsu as well as many other styles of fighting.
Although many assume he was mainly a Kung Fu fighter, Bruce Lee is often hailed as the father of modern mixed martial arts. He created his own philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, which combined Kung Fu with many other fighting styles. He believed that a fighter should be able to use many styles of fighting, including kicking, punching, and grappling. This well-rounded fighting style has evolved into the style of mixed martial arts that we see today.
MMA gained a mainstream following in the early 1990s with the creation of Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC. UFC has become the largest MMA promotion company in the world, with many of the world's top fighters on its roster. The group rose to prominence after the first UFC championship, when legendary fighter Royce Gracie defeated three other fighters in just five minutes. From there, interest in the sport grew exponentially, as well as concerns about the general lack of regulations within the sport. In 2000, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were created, which are used throughout the United States.
In addition to UFC, there have been several other groups that have been created for the purpose of holding MMA competitions, most notably Strikeforce. Strikeforce originated as a kickboxing organization but evolved into mixed martial arts. In 2006, Strikeforce's first large-scale MMA event, Shamrock vs. Gracie, broke MMA audience attendance records. This record would stand until UFC 129 in 2011. During 2011, Strikeforce was purchased by the company that owns UFC; however, the owners have stated that two will remain separate entities.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias likes blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. To get more info about MMA lessons in San Diego or to find a boxing gym San Diego, please visit The Arena MMA site now.
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