Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport that combines elements from various martial arts disciplines, including boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, Judo, and Karate. What distinguishes MMA from other martial arts is its versatility, as fighters are trained to be proficient in both striking and grappling, making it a hybrid art. Unlike traditional martial arts, which typically focus on one aspect of fighting, MMA encourages a well-rounded approach, allowing practitioners to seamlessly transition between standing (striking) and ground (grappling) combat. MMA fighters must be skilled in various techniques to succeed, making adaptability and conditioning key components of the sport.

MMA’s roots can be traced back to ancient combat sports like Pankration in Greece, which combined elements of boxing and wrestling, and Vale Tudo in Brazil, where fighters were allowed to use a wide range of techniques. However, modern MMA as we know it today began to take shape in the early 1990s, particularly with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. The UFC was initially created to determine the most effective martial art by pitting fighters from different disciplines against each other in an open-weight tournament. Early UFC events featured a variety of fighting styles, including traditional martial arts like Karate, Judo, and Taekwondo, alongside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. Over time, fighters recognised the importance of cross-training in multiple disciplines to succeed, which led to the evolution of MMA into the sport it is today.

MMA competitions are held in various organisations around the world, with the UFC being the largest and most recognised global promotion. In MMA competitions, fighters compete in cage or ring environments, engaging in both striking (punches, kicks, knees, and elbows) and grappling (takedowns, submissions, and ground control). Rounds are typically set for 3 or 5 minutes, and fighters are judged based on effective striking, control, grappling, and overall aggression. Points are awarded for clean strikes, successful takedowns, submission attempts, and dominant positioning, while penalties may be given for illegal actions. The primary goal is either to win by knockout, submission, or by the judge’s decision after the allotted rounds. While some events focus on single matches, others, like the UFC, are organised into tournament-style formats, where fighters advance through various rounds to compete for championships. MMA also has a variety of rulesets depending on the competition, with different organisations having slightly differing rules, such as the inclusion or exclusion of certain techniques (e.g., strikes to the back of the head).