Archive for the ‘Martial Arts Origins’ Category

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 »

The foundation of the Asian martial arts is likely a blend of early Chinese and Indian martial arts. Extensive trade occurred between these nations beginning around 600 BC, with diplomats, merchants, and monks traveling the Silk Road. During the Warring States period of Chinese history (480-221 BC) extensive development in martial philosophy and strategy emerged, as described by Sun Tzu in The Art of War (c. 350 BC.

An early legend in martial arts tells the tale of a South Indian Pallava prince turned monk named Bodhidharma (also called Daruma), believed to have lived around 550 A.D. The martial virtues of discipline, humility, restraint and respect are attributed to this philosophy.Daruma is also regarded as the founder of Zen Buddhism in China. Read the rest of this entry »

Europe’s colonisation of Asian countries also brought about a decline in local martial arts, especially with the introduction of firearms. This can clearly be seen in India after the full establishment of British Raj in the 19th century. More European modes of organizing police, armies and governmental institutions, and the increasing use of firearms, eroded the need for traditional combat training associated with caste-specific duties. and in 1804 the British Colonial government banned kalaripayat in response to a series of revolts. Kalaripayat and other traditional arts experienced a resurgence in the 1920s in Tellicherry and spread throughout South India. Similar phenomena occurred in Southeast Asian colonies such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Other Indian martial arts, like Thang-Ta also witnessed a resurgence in the 1950s.

The Western interest in Asian martial arts dates back to the late 19th century, due to the increase in trade between the United States with China and Japan. Relatively few Westerners actually practiced the arts, considering it to be mere performance. Edward William Barton-Wright, a railway engineer who had studied Jujutsu while working in Japan between 1894–97, was the first man known to have taught Asian martial arts in Europe. He also founded an eclectic martial arts style named Bartitsu which combined jujutsu, judo, boxing, savate and stick fighting.

As Western influence grew in Asia a greater number of military personnel spent time in China, Japan, and South Korea. Exposure to martial arts during the Korean war was also significant. The later 1970s and 1980s witnessed an increased media interest in the martial arts, after martial artist and Hollywood actor, Bruce Lee, in the late 1960s and early 1970s before his untimely death. thanks in part to Asian and Hollywood martial arts movies. Jackie Chan and Jet Li are prominent movie figures who have been responsible for promoting Chinese martial arts in recent years.