History of Mixed Martial Arts

 

Mixed Martial Arts combines the techniques of all the martial arts and victory is achieved when a fighter manages to submit their opponent through a variety of methods generally reffered to as striking and grappling. This unarmed combat sport is also known as Cage Fighting and No Holds Barred (NHB).

 

The roots of Mixed Martial Arts go back as far as the Olympic Games in 648BC when it was known as Greek pankration - an ancient form of hand to hand combat.

 

Mixed Martial Arts as it is known today is often attributed to the "Gracie
Challenge". Issued by Carlos and Helio Gracie in 1920, was the idea that the best
fighter can adapt to any style. They won their challenge by taking their opponents
to the ground and forcing them to submit.

 

Mixed Martial Arts really came into the spotlight in 1993 when Royce Gracie won
the first Ultimate Fighting Championship - an event which sparked a revolution in
Martial Arts.