MMA is considered the most extreme sport in the world

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has exploded in popularity since the UFC made its first debut in Denver, Colorado on November 12, 1993.

The purpose of the event was to determine the best and most effective martial art in the world. There, in the Octagon, pugilists representing a wide range of martial arts converged.

What became abundantly clear throughout the competition is that many stiff, non-competitive martial arts like Shotokan Karate, Taekwondo and Kung Fu could generally not hold their own against Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The sheer brutality of the kickboxer's standup arsenal, with it's punishing shin kicks, knees, elbows and strikes overwhelmed opponents unfamiliar with this discipline. Standup strikers were in unfamiliar territory when taken down to the mat by Royce Gracie, where he would handily submit them with a choke or joint lock.

MMA is a progressive sport that is constantly evolving. Today, it generally incorporates kickboxing standup skills with wrestling. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo and other effective "randori" arts.

Why did Kickboxing & Jiu-Jitsu Dominate the UFC and other MMA events?

Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are both "randori" arts. This means that some of the more dangerous techniques were removed for the arts to become competitive.

Competition means that you are fighting in a chaotic, realistic scenario, battling a willful opponent who is truly resisting your techniques. Naturally, this Randori philosophy generates certain natural advantages:

• Muscle memory
• Ring strategy
• Precision techniques
• Ability to chain together techniqes
• Strength, power, cardio & fitness
• Pain tolerance
• Fluidity and flexibility
• Mental acuity and preparedness

Many of the more traditional arts are stiff, and require the attacking opponent (often known as the Uke) to attack a certain way, which doesn't necessarily reflect the chaos of a real situation.

This is not to say that traditional Karate and Kung Fu are not effective. However, a Mixed Martial Artist may have certain advantages over the traditionalist.