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Mixed Martial Arts

Today’s hottest and most publicized discipline, though mainly focused on athletic competition, is actually the latest manifestation of a combat philosophy that can be traced back to Bruce Lee’s jeet kune do in the modern era and pankration in ancient Greece. Essentially, MMA is living proof that no one style can dominate an open fight. It provides an ongoing laboratory for the effectiveness of training regimens and combat techniques.

It has become common knowledge that a successful mixed martial artist must have expertise in one of the following and more than passing knowledge of the other two basic areas of fighting: grappling (e.g. Greco-Roman wrestling), submissions (e.g. Brazilian jiu-jitsu) and stand-up (e.g. muay Thai, karate and boxing).

MMA does have its limitations, and these are primarily dictated by the rules of the sport and its environs. Time limits, rules, a locked cage, a referee and doctors on hand to protect the athletes from serious injury do not replicate the reality of a street fight. However, in terms of sport evolution, MMA represents the most complete version of full-contact fighting to date.