Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, is rapidly growing in popularity. MMA practitioners are hard workers and tend to be very disciplined people, as discipline is the underlying theme for many of the martial arts forms. MMA is technically the use of multiple styles of martial arts, so any form can be considered part of MMA. However, most agree that there are a few different art forms that are more commonly used than others because they tend to be superior.
Classic Boxing
Classic boxing remains one of the better stand-up striking art forms. Boxing uses only the hands as weapons, but the focus on one part allows the practitioner to master the use of his hands as weapons. The defensive side of classic boxing is the movement of the head to prevent one from being struck, as well as the use of the hands to deflect or catch punches.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is referred to as "The Art of Eight Limbs" because not only are the hands used to strike, but the elbows, knees and shins are also considered weapons in this art form. Muay Thai has become increasingly popular due to the increased amount of weapons available to the fighter. Muay Thai also trains the fighter how to throw punches, kicks, knees and elbows from the clinched position.
Wrestling
Often times MMA fights end up on the ground. Taking the fight to the ground shows aggression and control of the fight, which helps the fighter to score points with the judges should the fight time run out. Additionally, taking an opponent to the ground, can help to establish a dominant position. For this, wrestling is another important martial art.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
One of the most popular martial art forms in practice today is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This martial art is where the joint locks, chokes and compression locks in MMA come from. This art form is so popular because it allows the practitioner the opportunity to provide offense in any situation, and from any position on the floor. Some fighters have made careers out of luring unsuspecting combatants into what they think of as a dominant position, only to have their opponent lock them in a choke and force them to quit the fight.
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