MMA or Mixed Martial Arts combines a variety of full contact sport techniques and styles with a competitive edge. This includes both stand-up and on the ground skills such as kick boxing, Karate, Judo, wrestling and Muay Thai. MMA allows one to fight with the whole body by combining the arts of throwing, striking and joint manipulating techniques.
An example of one art is Muay Thai that was utilized for warfare in the 1800′s. As it modernized, these fights became spectator sports for Kings in various countries. Muay Thai makes use of eight contact points and its name means “Art of Eight Limbs.” These include knee hits, punches, kicks and elbow strikes performed in a stand-up position. Western boxing holds no comparison to this sport with its use of only two points, hands and feet.
Similar to wresting, ground fighting involves holding the opponent down through grappling moves. Getting the dominant position or preventing strikes while on the ground is clinched fighting. Very little equipment is needed and usually only requires small gloves, open-fingered or closed, depending on the type of fight. Victory is resolved by knockout, doctor stoppage, or submission. Referees have the ability to stop a fight if one of the opponents has sustained serious bodily injury or there have been numerous warnings and fouls causing disqualification.
Mixed Martial Arts did not become an official sport until the US held the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1992. The no-holds-barred fight with few rules became a disciplined sport including time limits and restrictions reducing the risk of bodily harm. The UFC expanded its activities from the United States to Canada in 2008. Pay-per-view events began drawing huge audiences making Calgary comparative to large cities such as Los Angeles or Chicago. People stand in line for hours and shows are sold out within minutes.
Individuals travel from all over the world to learn from the best instructors at several schools in Calgary that teach MMA. It is cautioned that one should watch a few sessions before committing. Professionals are eager to speak with potential students and enroll them in starter classes to make sure this is an adequate sport for that person. Competitive martial arts differ from self defense and should not be categorized as the same. Some of the techniques may overlap, but many of the strategies are not sensible for someone to utilize in an attack type situation.
This website will provide more information about MMA:
Calgary MMA
Calgary kick boxing
