What is Mixed Martial Arts?
Mixed martial arts was originally based around the concept of pitting different martial arts and fighting styles against each other in competition with minimal rules, in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real combat situation. Modern MMA competition is an evolution of such events, but rules have been implemented to promote the sport, while at the same time maintaining as much of the original no-holds-barred concept as possible. There is however no general sanctioning body for the sport, and the sets of rules vary according to organization.

The techniques utilized in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws). Some unarmed hand to hand combat techniques are considered illegal in arguably all modern MMA competition, such as biting, eye-gouging, fish-hooking and small joint manipulation. The legality of other techniques such as elbows, headbutts and spinal locks vary according to competition or organization.

Victory is normally gained through a knockout, a submission, a stoppage by the referee, the fight doctor or a competitor's cornerman, or by a decision by the judges scoring the fight.

Training

Today, mixed martial artists train in a variety of styles that have been proven effective in the ring, so that they can be effective in all the phases of combat. Although MMA fighters will try to play to their particular specialties, they will inevitably encounter all kinds of situations; a stand-up fighting specialist will probably get taken down at some point and a submission artist might need to fight standing-up for a while before he can complete a takedown. A mixed martial artist might train in a particular style to enhance his or her skills in the phase of combat that the style encompasses. Typical styles, known for their effectiveness, that have been trained prior to the MMA career, and that are trained individually to enhance a particular phase of combat, are:

• Stand-up: Boxing, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai are trained to improve footwork, elbowing, kicking, kneeing and punching.
• Clinch: Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo and Judo are trained to improve clinching, takedowns and throws, while Muay Thai is trained to improve the striking aspect of the clinch.
• Ground: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shoot wrestling, Catch wrestling, Judo and Sambo are trained to improve submission holds, and defense against them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and styles of Amateur wrestling are trained to improve positioning.

Many styles have to be adapted slightly for use in the sport. For example, several boxing stances are ineffective because they leave fighters vulnerable to leg kicks or takedowns. Similarly judo techniques have to be adapted to an opponent not wearing a judogi. Commonly, modern day MMA fighters do not train in any particular style, but either train in multiple styles with multiple coaches, or train in teams with other MMA athletes focusing specifically on MMA fighting. Conditioning, calisthenics and strength training are also important aspects of a MMA fighters training. Mixed martial arts competition is very demanding physically, and the athletes need to be in top shape to be successful.