Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a fast growing combat sport in which multiple fighting techniques are used in the ring. Also known as cage fighting, it was born in the early 1990s with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The idea is that fighters with different specialties and techniques would get into a closed ring and battle until one of them surrenders.

Boxing, wrestling, jiujitsu and grappling are just a few of the fighting styles that take place in the cage. Brazilian grappler Royce Gracie quickly became the sport's most popular figure after winning three championships with his submission style. Grappling involves lying on your back in a defensive position and using various submission holds instead of striking your opponent [source: Associated Content].

­You can learn more about MMA in How the Ultimate Fighting Championship Works.

Fighting Styles

It turns out there are at least 10 good ways to take someone down. These are the martial arts explored on "Fight Quest."

  • Sanda - This full-contact martial art was originally developed by the Chinese military. Striking, kicking, sweeps, takedowns and throws are all employed in sanda.
  • Kali - A weapons-based art, kali uses knives, swords and escrima fighting sticks as striking instruments. Escrima sticks are made of lightweight rattan and used to inflict maximum damage on your opponent.
  • Kyokushin karate - Another full-contact martial art, a common technique in Kyokushin is to take the opponent off his or her feet. Kyokushin involves kumites, fights against multiple opponents, to build endurance.
  • Boxing - Opponents face each other in an enclosed ring for a determined number of rounds. Punching with heavy, padded gloves is the only method of attack. The final decision is determined by a knock-out or can be made by judges that score the fight.
  • Pencak Silat - An Indonesian art that originally used striking weapons. Now, in addition to weapons, fighters use a variety of kicks and punches.
  • Savate - Also known as French kickboxing, this art uses hand strikes and a host of kicks to subdue an opponent.
  • Hapkido - Merging techniques from karate, judo and aikido, hapkido is best known for impressive body throws and painful wrist locks used to disable attackers.
  • Jiujitsu - Perhaps the most versatile martial art, jiujitsu uses many different strikes, kicks, throws, choke holds and locks. Almost every martial art has had an influence on this fighting style.
  • Krav maga - The Israeli army invented this fighting style as a practical technique for use in a variety of street style situations. Jiujitsu, traditional boxing and judo all lend some techniques to krav maga. Weapons such as knives and sticks are also used.
  • Kajukenbo - Another hybrid art, kajukenbo is an exciting technique that uses take downs, throws and hard striking. Limb breaking is a common method of this brutal fighting style.

­

In the next section, we'll look at the cultural experience Smith and Anderson enjoyed -- from Buddhist temples to the Israeli army.