Archive for November, 2009

In every game, there are rules to follow. With the modern mixed martial arts, several rules are imposed. Through time, the rules changed significantly ever since the Pankration showed up to Japanese shoot wrestling and up to the UFC. As the sport spread out among spectators and fighters, it was agreed upon that rules must not be to a minimal but to an extent, thus, amendments were made. Some of the main motivators for the changes in rules were due to the protection of the fighter’s health, shedding the image of a barbaric bout and most of all, being recognized and appreciated as a sport.

MMA includes different fighting methods or techniques using several forms of martial arts like judo, taekwondo and even karate. This made the people who are concerned with keeping the participants safe to make additional rules in order to maintain an organized competition that avoids any mishaps. New rules involve weight class introductions which was a significant factor. Some of the rules are as follows:

1. Gloves (open-fingered) – introduced to encourage participants to use their hands to strike another participant so as allowing captivating matches, gloves protect the fists when giving out a punch, and reduce any occurrence of cuts.

2. Time – limit in time were emphasized in order to avoid tenacious and long fights. Limiting the time also gives the competitors the chance to conserve their strength for the following round. Technically, matches that doesn’t have any time limit become dull and seem to complicate the airing of events.

3. Stand-up rule -  here, the referee has the capacity to stand the fighters up when it’s becoming as if both of them are already resting on the ground or if they are not perceived to be advancing to any dominant position.

4. Clothes – men are usually required to wear shorts, thus being the only attire permissible. To be able to attain leg flexibility combined with durability, there are now different shorts made for MMA fighting. Read the rest of this entry »

Mixed martial arts is a kind of competition that involves the participant to train in wrestling, submission fighting and striking. There are generally two categories of techniques used in the competition: grappling and striking techniques. Grappling involves using submission holds, throws, clinch holds, takedowns and sweeps.

Grappling Explained

Grappling is the standard name given to the act of controlling, gripping and handling an opponent in the absence of striking which uses different applications like choke holds, grappling holds and counters to be able to hold various attempts. Grappling is important in both standing clinch and ground fighting. Some of the sports which uses grappling are: judo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling and MMA. Grappling is a method widely used by several martial artists all over the globe. It is not some kind of distinct martial art, although it is seen as striking which is a collection of strategies and techniques aimed at defeating the opponent.

Use of Grappling

Grappling is utilized into a certain degree which usually happens in joint fighting systems. There are systems like submission wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo and amateur wrestling that are exclusively prohibiting striking but mostly uses the art of grappling. A lot of combat sports like mixed martial arts emphasize the act even at the retention of striking. Read the rest of this entry »