• Mixed martial arts competitions pair fighters with backgrounds in a range of combat styles.martial arts image by Lisa Turay from Fotolia.com
  
  Mixed martial arts is a type of fighting that combines styles from a range of traditions. Sometimes MMA fights are referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred or vale tudo (“anything goes” in Portuguese) because MMA permits a greater range of strikes than other combat sports and disciplines. MMA fighters use striking and grappling techniques from Eastern and Western traditions.
  
  

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

• A martial art primarily fought on the ground, Brazilian jiu-jitsu was developed when Mitsuo Maeda brought Japanese jiu-jitsu to Brazil in 1914. Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasizes submissions, in which one fighter forces another to the point of submission. Examples of submissions include chokes and joint locks. Securing a dominant position is also a central part of jiu-jitsu technique, from which point a fighter can easily apply a submission. MMA fighters skilled at Brazilian jiu-jitsu typically fight in a submission grappling style, trying to quickly get their opponents on the ground and then restraining them with a submission hold.
  
  

Collegiate Wrestling

• MMA incorporates several moves from collegiate wrestling, such as clinches (grappling holds) and take-down techniques (methods of bringing an opponent to the ground or initiating ground fighting). Collegiate take-downs used in MMA include upper body throws and both single and double leg take-downs. In addition, MMA fighters use collegiate wrestling methods of maintaining dominance, keeping the opponent’s shoulders against the mat. They might also fight with a “clinch fighting” style, dominating the opponent in a clinch and then using a range of striking maneuvers to defeat the opponent.
  
  

Judo

• Developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century, Judo translates as “gentle way.” It emphasizes leverage and technique instead of force. Kano developed judo based on ancient Japanese jiu-jitsu. Judo techniques rely on maintaining balance and upsetting the opponent’s balance. Both opponents normally remain on their feet in judo, each using submissions to overtake the other. One of judo’s contributions to MMA is the hip toss, in which a fighter drives his hip into the opponent's side and then uses leverage to toss his opponent to the ground.
  
  

Muay Thai

• Called the “Art of Eight Limbs” in Thai, Muay Thai developed as a means of combat in Thailand beginning in the medieval period. Muay Thai contributes several striking moves to MMA. Some of the principal Muay Thai techniques include kicks and punches. Primary body parts used include the hands, elbows, shins and knees. MMA fighters skilled in Muay Thai will fight in a “sprawl and brawl” style, trying to keep the fight from going to the ground.