Mixed martial arts is a combination of any martial arts. There is no set combination, you can learn whichever disciplines you like and call yourself a mixed martial artist. The disciplines that you ought to learn depend on your mental outlook, body shape and personal preferences. Local availability may override these reasons though. We will look at some of the most popular styles below.
Kick Boxing: there are different disciplines of kick boxing including a French and a Thai version known as Muay Thai. Kick boxing is a full contact activity which makes use of the fists, elbows, feet and knees to hit the opponent. There are frequent clinches, but the bout is stopped when a fighter falls to the canvas as in boxing.
Thai kick boxing is one of the most well-liked styles in a mixed martial artist’s repertoire, particularly among women fighters, because it takes immense suppleness.
Boxing: boxing is the most popular western martial art. It was practiced in Ancient Greece and was a sport in the early Olympic Games. You may only use your fists. Boxing skills benefit the more powerful upper bodied athlete. Boxing has to be combined with mat skills such as wrestling or the MMA fighter will be disadvantaged on the canvas.
Judo: judo is in essence a defensive skill and is the first oriental martial art that most people learn. It is a good style to start learning oriental fighting skills, but you will also need to learn some aggressive manoeuvres.
Wrestling: wrestling is not instructed to young men as much as boxing any more, but it is a very well-liked spectator sport. There are various forms of wrestling such as standard western wrestling and Japanese Sumo. It is essential to have some wrestling-type skills for if you are grappling on the canvas.
Jiu Jitsu: jiu jitsu is indispensable for MMA, most fighters would suggest. There are a number of styles, besides the original one, known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and an offshoot of that called Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
These last two forms are the most prevalent in MMA. Jiu Jitsu is assertive and defensive and includes stand-up fighting and grappling on the canvas. It is an excellent all-round martial art.
Karate: another Japanese martial art that involves strength and speed. Karate is also useful for vertical and horizontal combative manoeuvres and so is more adaptable than boxing. It is a full contact sport in some disciplines, but not in others, because it is risky to hit an untrained person using karate – it can be lethal.
Tae Kwando: tae kwando takes great agility and lightening-fast reflexes. It is also more popular with female MMA fighters as many of the men are too heavy to carry out the jumps and aerial attacks that are prevalent in this discipline. The octagon might also be a bit too small to carry out all the manoeuvres of tae kwando in the correct manner as well.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is now concerned with mixed martial arts for kids. If you would like to know more, please go to our website at Mixed Martial Arts Quotes