MMA stands for mixed martial arts, which is a combination of two or more martial arts techniques.
Modern mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact sport that incorporates elements from several martial arts styles around the world, as well as wrestling, boxing and kickboxing. MMA Cage combat, ultimate fighting, and no holds barred(NHB) are all terms used to describe mixed martial arts.
Even though they may appear to be similar at times, boxing and mixed martial arts are very different. The fundamental distinction between boxing and mixed martial arts is that boxing allows only punches and strikes above the belt. However, different martial arts styles are used in MMA, thus far more is permissible.
Mixed martial arts is primarily a male-dominated sport, but women can also compete. Female fights were first recorded in the mid-1990s in Japan. The Invicta Fighting Championships are only open to female fighters. Strikeforce and The Bellator Fighting Championships are two such events where women can compete.
Gina Carano, Miesha Tate and Holly Holm are three well-known female fighters in this sport, although the MMA odds differ between male and female competitors.
Let’s take a look at ten other cool facts about MMA.
1. The UFC Belt Is Authentically Made of Gold
It may appear to be nothing more than a nice Taiwanese band at first glance, but it looks to be genuine gold. Or, at the very least, gold plating.
The UFC title belts are made by two guys: Javier Cortez and Dave Millican.
For those who want to live out their aspirations of greatness without having to battle anyone or go to the gym, a gold-plated belt can be purchased for around $1,000.
2. The First Combatant to Use Gloves
The UFC 14 event was the first to mandate the use of gloves. However, pro boxer Melton Bowen used the now ever-present open-fingered combat glove for the first time at UFC 4 against Steve Jennum in 1994.
Unfortunately, it didn’t help much, if the pictures are anything to go by.
3. Chuck Norris inspired the Octagon?
Yes, insert Chuck Norris joke here. But in this case, the UFC’s distinctive cage could really have been inspired by him. Or his movie, at least.
“The Octagon,” a 1980 ninja film starring Norris, has become a cult classic among martial arts film fans. Again, we are aware that basically all Chuck Norris films are cult classics.
It’s possible that it’s just a fluke. But it’s also possible that it’s not. The film’s climax fights take place in a structure known as The Octagon.
The Cage of Rage campaign used the octagonal cage for the first time in 1993. However, some of the promotion’s forefathers (including the Gracies) enlisted the help of creative director Jason Cusson to develop “the Octagon,” which the UFC quickly (and wisely) registered.
4. A Kick in the Mouth
The 30-second knockout of Telia Tuli by Gerard Gordeau at UFC 1 is widely acknowledged as the very first fight in the history of UFC.
A kick from Gordeau is reportedly rumored to have sent a tooth of Tuli’s sailing into the spectator area.
But, supposedly, that’s when things got weird.
Two more of Tuli’s teeth were embedded in Gordeau’s foot, according to Erich Krauss’ book, Brawl. Doctors chose not to take the teeth out in the cage, so as to prevent an infection that an open wound could cause. With a couple of teeth hooked in his foot, Gordeau battled twice more that night. In the end, he was defeated by Royce Gracie.
The wound grew seriously infected, much to the surprise of a few. Gordeau spent months in the doctor’s office after returning home.
Say it with us now: eeewww!
5. The Beginning of “Mixed Martial Arts”
No clawing of the eyes or any type of biting was allowed.
These were the only two rules of a fighting style known as Pankration– a mixture of wrestling and hand-to-hand fighting devised by the ancient Greeks. It was initially used as war practice but soon became an Olympic sport.
