Mixed martial arts is a blend of any martial arts. There is no set combination, you can learn whichever techniques you like and call yourself a mixed martial artist. The techniques that you should learn depend on your mental attitude, body shape and personal preferences. Local availability may take precedence over 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, especially among female fighters, because it requires great 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 decent style to start learning oriental fighting skills, but you will also need to learn some aggressive manoeuvres.
Wrestling: wrestling is not taught to young men as much as boxing any more, but it is a very popular spectator sport. There are different types of wrestling such as normal western wrestling and Japanese Sumo. It is indispensable to have some wrestling-type skills for when you are grappling on the canvas.
Jiu Jitsu: jiu jitsu is indispensable for MMA, most fighters would suggest. There are several styles, besides the original one, known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and an offshoot of that called Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
These last two types are the most prevalent in MMA. Jiu Jitsu is aggressive and defensive and includes stand-up fighting and grappling on the canvas. It is an outstanding all-round martial art.
Karate: another Japanese martial art that involves strength and speed. Karate is also good for vertical and horizontal combative manoeuvres and so is more flexible than boxing. It is a full contact sport in some styles, but not in others, because it is risky to hit an untutored person using karate - it could be fatal.
Tae Kwando: tae kwando takes enormous suppleness and lightening-fast reflexes. It is also more popular with female MMA fighters as many of the men are too weighty to carry out the jumps and aerial attacks that are common in this martial art. The octagon may also be a little too cramped to carry out all the manoeuvres of tae kwando properly as well.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, 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