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A Detailed Guide To MMA: From A Rejected Sport To The Most Valuable

Hand to hand combat and techniques have always existed in humankind and influenced every culture since prehistoric times. It is a part of human DNA and a basic instinct to fight, whether for survival against threats or to show off power. As the name says, mixed martial arts is a full-contact combat sport that involves grappling, striking, and ground fighting techniques. 

Modern-day MMA is a successor of the ancient Greek combat sport called pankration, which involved skills similar to modern-day boxing and wrestling. Pankration allowed all striking and grappling moves except biting and gouging and was added to the 33rd Ancient Olympic Games in 648 BC. Historian E. Norman Gardiner claimed: “No branch of athletics was more popular than the pankration.” Pankration continued as a brutal combat sport for centuries until the Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the Ancient Olympics in 393 CE, putting an end to Pankration. 

The next appearance of a combat sport that combined multiple fighting techniques happened in the 20th century. But this wasn’t just a coincidence, but a result of testing different fighting techniques against one another.

The Roots of MMA

Mixed Martial Arts was not a term until 1993. It all started in the 1800s when Savate(French Boxing) became a popular sport, and French Savate fighters decided to put their skills to the test against fighters of other combat styles. The first fight took place in 1852 between English bare-knuckle boxers and French savateurs, which the latter won using his kicks. Since then, there have been several battles between fighters from different combat backgrounds. Here are a few important events and personalities that highly influenced the concept of hybrid martial arts, now known as MMA:

Catch Wrestling: The Origin of Mixed Martial Arts

Some traveling carnival wrestlers in the late 19th century popularized a new style of wrestling that combined techniques from several international wrestling styles. Their idea was to use any available wrestling moves to overcome the opponent, and this style was initially called “catch as catch can.” Catch wrestling prospered over time and eventually paved the way for modern and mixed martial arts. These combat sports adopted the training routines of catch wrestling and borrowed most of the groundwork techniques. Most joint locks and choke holds used in modern combat sports originated in catch wrestling. 

Bartitsu: The Art of Self Defence

English engineer Edward William Barton-Wright is remembered today as the first European to learn and teach martial arts. Barton-Wright studied boxing, wrestling, savate, and fencing from renowned masters and went on to spend three years in Japan, where he further enhanced his knowledge and skillset. He returned to England in 1898 and announced the formation of a new art called Bartitsu. Barton-Wright defined Bartitsu as “self-defense in all its forms,” as this technique unified the best elements of several fighting styles. Bartitsu clubs were developed with the goal of learning each of the major hand-to-hand combat styles so they can be used for self-defense against each other in times of need.

Although Bartistu’s popularity died for unknown reasons, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle immortalized the art. In his 1903 Sherlock Holmes revival short story ‘The Adventure of the Empty House,’ Conan Doyle explained Sherlock’s victory over Professor Moriarty using baritsu.    

Bruce Lee: Spreading Martial Arts to the West

The definition of mixed martial arts is incomplete without mentioning Bruce Lee who’s widely considered as the ‘father of modern MMA.’ Lee popularized hybrid martial arts in the west during the late 1960s and the early 70s through the Jeet Kune Do art that he developed. The direction and tone of Bruce Lee’s Hong Kong and Hollywood-produced films greatly influenced martial arts and developed interest in the Western world. 

Lee believed that no fighting style is perfect and that one should take the good elements from each style, keep the ones that fit, and throw away the rest. He famously stated: “The best fighter is not a boxer, karate or judo man. The best fighter is someone who can adapt to any style, to be formless, to adopt an individual’s own style and not following the system of styles.“

Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki

Most of the people who watched the 1976 bout between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki reviewed that the fight was a strange spectacle; they were wrong. Although this wasn’t the first time a hybrid match took place, it inspired a generation of fighters and promoters to formulate the modern MMA that we love. In his book King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero, David Remnick wrote that the Ali vs. Inoki fight brought together the worlds of combat sports and professional wrestling and was a leading factor in the rise of modern mixed martial arts. Ali also revealed once to his longtime adviser and friend Gene Kilroy that the Inoki fight could lead to similar hybrid bouts in the future, and indeed, he was right. Gene LeBell, the referee for the Ali vs Inoki contest, says, “They made the path for other people to follow.“

The Global Spread of Mixed Martial Arts

Vale Tudo events in Brazil, rooftop fights in Hong Kong, and professional wrestling in Japan led to the creation of present-day mixed martial arts. 

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

In 1925, two brothers, Carlos and Hélio Gracie, started a jiu jitsu school in Rio de Janeiro and advertised in newspapers, extending an open challenge to fighters of every discipline worldwide against Gracie-jiu jitsu(now known as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). They stated, “If you want a broken arm or rib, contact Carlos Gracie.“ Many fighters accepted the ‘Gracie Challenges’ initially held in the garages and gyms of the Gracie family, only to lose. The fights soon gained popularity, and the Gracie Family went on to showcase their jiu jitsu in America in the 1990s.

Rooftop Fights in Hong Kong

In the mid-20th century, several young citizens decided to learn martial arts for self-defense as the crimes in Hong Kong soared, and there wasn’t enough police workforce to control it. As the demand increased, the number of martial arts schools in Hong Kong increased to nearly 400 in the 1960s. The increased competition caused the formation of gangs that organized rooftop fight scenes to test their strengths. Bruce Lee was the most prominent name to emerge from these bare-knuckle fights. He popularized the concept of mixed martial arts internationally through his Jeet Kune Do system.

Shooto: The Beginning of MMA Promotions

Japanese professional wrestler Satoru Sayama developed Shooto in 1985 to create a realistic sport, unlike professional wrestling, which had predetermined results. Sayama was inspired by his master, Antonio Inoki, known for his unique “Strong Style” wrestling. He created a new martial art named ‘Shooting’ that blended several disciplines, including kickboxing, muay thai, judo, and sambo. The name was derived from the word ‘Shoot’ meaning ‘a legitimate contest’ in wrestling terms, and later changed to ‘Shooto’ to avoid confusion.

The sport quickly gained popularity across the pro wrestling circuit in Japan as it differed from the traditional wrestling styles practiced at New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the Universal Wrestling Federation.

Shooto was announced as a mixed martial arts promotion in 1989. It became the first of its kind and played a crucial role in the development of modern MMA.

Birth of UFC – The Game Changer

The Gracie Family went to the US with a mission: to prove the dominance of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in mixed martial arts. Royce Gracie, the son of Hélio Gracie represented the family at the tournament held in Denver, Colorado in 1993. The tournament was named UFC 1 referring to the Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC) organization.

Early Days of UFC

Matches were held inside a caged structure with fighters from different disciplines against each other. The following rules and regulations were put in place in the early UFC days:

  • No-holds-barred, anything happens.
  • Only biting, eye pokes, and groin strikes were forbidden. 
  • The match ends if a fighter submits or his corner throws a towel.

Royce Gracie dominated UFC, scoring 11 first-round finishes from 1993 to 1995. Several other prominent names joined UFC, but the sport was so violent and bloody that no media house accepted coverage, and U.S. Senator John McCain called it “Human Cockfighting.” 

Following this setback, new rules were devised between 1996 and 2000 to make MMA a sport that television viewers can watch. The new rules included:

  • Adding a 10 point scoring system similar to boxing.
  • Appointing MMA judges to score matches.
  • Introduction of weight classes.
  • Specific rounds and time limits.

The Beginning of a New Journey for the UFC

After the repetitive bans and rule changes, UFC went bankrupt in 2001. Dana White and his business associates Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta bought the company for 2 million dollars and created another company, Zuffa LLC, as UFC’s parent entity. Their new focus was on adopting a more thorough set of rules to help legalize and televise MMA. This was a new beginning for mixed martial arts as UFC has reached new heights and broken several records ever since.

The Evolution of Mixed Martial Arts

UFC devised a new rulebook under the fresh leadership, ensuring their professional fighters’ safety and aiming for TV opportunities. The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board presented a set of rules in 2001, which later became the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, followed by every MMA promotion. MMA gained immense popularity in no time with the new regulations and the introduction of protective gear. Several new fighters joined the top promotions of the time, including: 

  • M-1 Global
  • Pancrase
  • Elite Xtreme Combat
  • World Fighting Alliance (WFA) 
  • World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC)
  • Pride Fighting Championships
  • Cage Rage
  • Shooto

In 2006, UFC capitalized on the growing popularity of MMA and bought WFA and WEC. Pride Fighting Championships also integrated with UFC in 2007. The three promotions were soon disbanded, and UFC acquired their top fighters. This move further strengthened UFC’s top position in the MMA world. The promotion now had most top-ranked fighters, and Dana White stood firm as the face of mixed martial arts worldwide.

Understanding The Fight Game: Rules and Regulations

Classic MMA fights were too brutal and bloody to be aired on television. This situation demanded the authorities devise laws that protect fighters from life-threatening injuries and make MMA a safer sport. After several amendments over the years, the rules of modern MMA are as follows:

Weight Classes in MAA

Differences in weights became a significant factor in MMA with the introduction of submission and take-down techniques. The Unified Rules of Martial Arts define ten different weight classes in professional MMA:

  • Strawweight (Uptil 115lb)
  • Flyweight (up to 125 lb) 
  • Bantamweight (up to 135 lb)
  • Featherweight (up to 145 lb) 
  • Lightweight (up to 155 lb)
  • Welterweight (up to 170 lb) 
  • Middleweight (up to 185 lb) 
  • Light heavyweight (up to 205 lb) 
  • Heavyweight (up to 265 lb) 
  • Super heavyweight (no upper weight limit)  

Major MMA promotions, including the UFC, imply strict laws for fighters to train specifically and maintain their weight. According to UFC’s weight regulations, fighters are required to undergo pre-fight weigh-ins typically a day before the fight. Failing to hit the weight limit can result in penalties:

  • The fighter may be fined a percentage of his fight fee.
  • The fight proceeds at a ‘catchweight,’ which is a certain weight outside the official limits that both fighters agree upon. 
  • A champion will forfeit the title if he wins a bout under catchweight rules. 
  • The fight may be canceled If the weight difference is too much.
  • A champion can be stripped of his/her title in case of repetitive offenses.

Time Limits and Number of Rounds

Early MMA competitions had no time limits and fighters would reach the end of their strength in pursuit of victory. But a set number of rounds and time limits were proposed with the introduction of live televised matches and to ensure fighter’s safety.

  • Professional MMA fights consist of three 5-minute rounds. 
  • Championship fights and main events feature five 5-minute rounds.

Match Regulations and Winning Conditions 

There are several ways to win a modern professional MMA match:

Knockout

If a fighter is unable to continue due to legal strikes by the opponent, he is considered knocked out. Official MMA rules define submission holds and ground and pound as legal techniques.

Submission 

A submission victory is awarded if a fighter accepts defeat under a submission hold in any of the following manners:

  • By physically tapping on the opponent’s body or the mat.
  • Verbally tapping (happens when both hands are locked in the hold or unable to move)
  • Technical decision: The referee stops the fight immediately if a fighter is caught in a risky position, falls unconscious, or has a broken bone inside a submission hold. 

Technical knockout (TKO) 

TKO is a common decision in MMA that occurs in the following ways:

  • Referee Stoppage:

The referee stops the match in the following situations:

  • A fighter is taking excessive hits and is unable to defend himself.
  • A fighter is losing consciousness due to a significant blow. The Referee can also retire a fighter if he’s too exhausted to continue. 
  • A fighter has a visible cut or broken bone that can cause a significant injury. This stoppage can be requested by the ring doctor to ensure the fighter’s safety. 

The opponent is awarded victory in these conditions unless he/she has caused the injury through foul hits.

  • Corner Stoppage:

A fighter’s corner can also stop a fight by throwing in a towel. They may do so in order to protect their fighter from severe injuries if he/she is getting beaten badly. 

Decision

Three assigned judges decide the result of a match if it ends without any submissions or knockouts. Every round is scored on a 10 points scorecard by each judge.

  • Technical Decisions

A technical decision is awarded if a fight can not be completed due to an accidental or unintentional foul by a fighter. TDs only count if two rounds in a 3-round fight and 3 rounds in a 5-round fight are completed. The result for completed rounds is decided based on standard decision criteria discussed below.

  • Standard Decision

These decisions are made when a fight goes the full distance without stoppage. Judges evaluate each round based on three factors:

  • Effective striking: Power, accuracy, impact
  • Grappling dominance: Control, takedowns, attempted submissions.
  • Octagon control: Aggression, cage positioning.

Standard decisions are broken down into the following types after scoring each round:

  • Unanimous Decision: If all judges score in favor of the same fighter, it’s a unanimous decision.
  • Split Decision: If two judges score in favor of one fighter, and the third scores for the other, it’s a split decision.
  • Majority Decision: If two judges score for one fighter and the third scores a draw, it is a majority decision. 

The fight is considered drawn if none of the three judges scores a clear winner by the end of the fight. However, this situation is uncommon. 

Forfeit 

A fighter of their representative can announce to forfeit the match beforehand due to injuries or other reasons, resulting in the opponent to be awarded victory.

No contest 

The following situations can cause a match to be ruled as a no-contest:

  • If both fighters continuously violate the rules.
  • A fighter is injured after unintentionally performing an illegal technique, except in the case of a technical decision.
  • If a fighter who originally won fails to pass the post-match drug test.

Essential MMA Gear and Apparel 

Rules were not the only thing added to make MMA a safer sport. Several essential gear and apparel items have been gradually added to the sport for safer fights and injury prevention. Here are the essential MMA equipment every professional and beginner MMA fighter must have in their bag:

MMA Gloves

Although boxing was the first to introduce padded gloves, almost every combat sport has adopted this great invention. Modern MMA regulations require fighters to wear 4oz to 6oz gloves when they compete in the octagon. MMA gloves differ from boxing gloves in design, size, and padding, while serving the same purpose: protecting the fighter’s hands. MMA gloves feature exposed fingers for ease when performing grappling and submission techniques.

Mouthguards

Mouthguards are a major part of every combat sport for injury protection in the teeth, gums, jaw, and head. Every MMA promotion has mandatory regulations for the use of Mouthguards. UFC has strictly implemented the following rules:

  • Fighters must use closed-cell rubber mouthguards that are approved by the promotion. 
  • Mouthguards must be worn when taking part in any contact activity. 

MMA Shorts

The Unified Rules of Martial Arts mandate the use of fighting shorts during MMA matches. These shorts must not have zippers, pockets, or complex or projecting objects that can cause injury. MMA shorts are made from strong and flexible materials that ensure durability and unrestricted movement during competitions. 

While these are the only equipment ruled essential by the Unified rules and most MMA promotions, there are several other gear and apparel items that an MMA fighter should have:

  • Hand wraps: A practical choice, most fighters prefer wrapping their hands to allow extra protection and mobility to the hand and wrist.
  • Groin guards: Every fighter should wear a groin guard during training and fights to ensure protection against accidental low blows.
  • Shin guards: While not allowed in MMA fights, they play a significant role in training, providing necessary protection during intense sparring sessions.
  • Rash guards: They can’t be worn during professional fights, but they are essential to training in every major combat sport. 

The Fighting Area

The International Federation of Mixed Martial Arts defines clear fighting area dimensions and protocols that every MMA promotion must follow:

  • The Fight area must be circular or have at least six sides.
  • Each side should be equal, and the fight area must be no smaller than 20×20 feet and no larger than 32×32 feet in diameter. 
  • Fight area should have atleast 40mm layer of high-density foam padding that extends to the edges of the platform, and should be padded in a manner approved by the commission.
  • The fence covering the fight area should be strong enough to hold a fighter’s weight, disallowing competitors to break through or fall out.
  • The metal part of the fence should be covered with an approved padding technique that protects the fighters from cuts and scratches.
  • The fenced area must have two gates, preferably on opposite sides, that open outwards. 
  • There must be no obstructions within the competition area.

Techniques Involved in MMA

MMA in the early days was a brutal battle between fighters of different fighting styles. Fighters like Royce Gracie who had mastery in BJJ dominated the game, inspiring the new generation of fighters to learn multiple fight styles to overcome any opponent. 

In the early and mid-2000s, the new generation of strikers presented a great game as they included grappling skills, gaining a massive advantage over the old-school fighters. Among several great names, legends Anderson Silva and George St. Pierre were true game-changers. The two held mastery in striking and grappling and could strategically adapt to any fight situation thanks to their high fight IQ and well-rounded skill set. Their fighting styles differed, but GSP and Anderson Silva excelled in the four foundational martial arts: 

  • Wrestling
  • Muay Thai
  • Boxing
  • BJJ

No matter the fighting style, a fighter well versed in these four martial arts along with exceptional fight intellect, is prone to earn gold inside the octagon. 

Stepping into the Octagon: Demographics of MMA

Now that you’re aware of the history, dimensions, and rules of MMA, let’s discuss what the sport has achieved during its short modern history:

Key Takeaway: The Journey of Mixed Martial Arts

From being called ‘Human Cockfighting’ by the public to the UFC becoming the most valuable MMA promotion in 2024, mixed martial arts has come a long way in a relatively short time. The sport started as hand-to-hand combat between fighters from distinctive disciplines and went on to create warriors well-versed in multiple disciplines. From the legendary Royce Gracie, who established BJJ as the most dominant discipline in MAA, to legends like Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz, the landscape of the game completely changed.

As promotions like UFC, Pancrase, and Pride got prominence, more and more fighters emerged to the forefront of MMA and dominated the sport from the early 2000s to the 2010s. These included all-time greats like George St Pierre, Anderson Silva, Randy Couture, and Chuck Liddel. While Liddel had incredible knockout power and Silva was gifted with accuracy, St Pierre and Randy Couture pioneered the concept of well-rounded MMA by combining wrestling with sharp striking. The modern generation’s top stars like ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, ‘The Last Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya, and Khabib’ The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov, all follow the footsteps of the GOAT Jon ‘Bones’ Jones to improve their fight mentality and approach.