Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques, from a mixture of martial arts traditions and non-traditions, to be used in competitions. The rules allow the use of striking and grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow martial artists of different backgrounds to compete. The term may also be used, less correctly, to describe hybrid martial arts styles.
Modern mixed martial arts competition emerged in American popular culture in 1993 with the founding of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Initially based on finding the most effective martial arts for real unarmed combat situations, competitors of various arts were pitted against one another with minimal rules or concern for safety. In the following decade, MMA promoters adopted many additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport. Following these changes, the sport has seen increased popularity with pay per view reach rivaling boxing and professional wrestling.
Jake OBrien -Dont Count Him Out
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Being referred to as a veteran of the fight game at the age of 24 may make him "feel old", but there's no question that Jake O'Brien has seen plenty in his two and half year career in the Octagon. From dizzying highs to crippling lows and everything in between, O'Brien enters his UFC 100 bout with Jon Jones as a fighter who has been the hot prospect, been the young gun with the "0" at the end of his record, and found out that there is no such thing as invincible - at least not in this game.
TJ Grant -Full Speed Ahead
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - If TJ Grant was going to break, this was the perfect time to do it. It didn't matter that he had won 13 of 15 pro mixed martial arts fights, including two out of three in the same arena in Montreal where he stood now on April 18th. This was the one people were going to remember, his UFC debut before 21, 451 fans. Across the Octagon stood Ryo Chonan, a fighter who had already sent the likes of Anderson Silva, Carlos Newton, Mach Sakurai, and Joey Villasenor to defeat. Cornering Chonan was one of Grant's favorite fighters of all-time, Dan Henderson. Now Henderson was telling Chonan how to beat him.
They Call Him Bruce
Mike Russell, UFC - If you were to tune in to a UFC broadcast for the first time, one of the first things to likely grab your attention would be the manic ringmaster in the impeccably tailored suit whose feverish gesticulations and frenzied articulations of the pending event's participants' names and vital statistics has the crowd hanging on his every syllable.
UFC BRIT PACK RALLY BEHIND BISPING
London, England - An army of Brits currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) organisation have come out in force and unanimously backed countryman Michael 'The Count' Bisping to overcome Dan Henderson at UFC 100(R) on Saturday, July 11 in Las Vegas.
Get ready for July 11th with the official UFC 100 commemorative magazine
The biggest event in mixed martial arts history is fast approaching, and there's no better way to get ready for July 11th than by picking up the UFC 100 commemorative magazine, which is on newsstands and in bookstores now. UFC President Dana White is on hand to break down the card, the featured fighters of UFC 100 take part in an exclusive photo shoot, and some of the best writers in the game take you beyond the Octagon like never before. This is the only official UFC 100 magazine, and it's as real as it gets.
