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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY
Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, is a term used to refer to a
combat sport that combines the elements of many fighting styles
into one all-inclusive sport. MMA has been rapidly gaining in
popularity in the U.S. and around the world, and is often
referred to as “the world’s fastest growing sport”.
The roots of MMA date back to the ancient Greeks and the early
Olympic sport of Pankration, in which combatants faced each
other with very few rules. Similar sports evolved in many
different places over time, often with the goal of pitting one
traditional martial arts style against another.
No-holds-barred events reportedly took place in the late 1800s
when wrestlers representing a huge range of fighting styles
including various catch wrestling styles, Greco-Roman wrestling
and many others met in tournaments and music-hall challenge
matches throughout Europe. The first major encounter between a
boxer and a wrestler in modern times took place in 1887 when
John L. Sullivan, then heavyweight world boxing champion,
entered the ring with his trainer, Greco-Roman wrestling
champion William Muldoon, and was slammed to the mat in two
minutes.
Mixed Martial Arts Facts
Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali took part in a cross-sport match-up
when he agreed to face Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki. These
kinds of contests were the early foundation for the sport of MMA,
which has grown tremendously in scope and practice since then.
Mixed style contests such as boxing vs. jujutsu were popular
entertainment throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim
during the early 1900s. Professional wrestling died out after
World War I and was reborn in two streams: "shoot", in which the
fighters actually competed, and "show," which evolved into
modern professional wrestling.
Mixed Martial Arts Injuries
Mild – This is the largest category, predominantly
soft-tissue in nature, ranging from contusions and lacerations
to sprains to all joints. Legs and cervical spine are at
particular risk.(5,10) In tae kwon do, research has reported
rates of 21 incidents of injury per 1,000 athlete exposures,
with a higher rate among men than women(9).
Moderate – These include fractures, dislocations, tendon
ruptures and neuropraxias (disruption to nerves). Karate
participants are at particular risk of hand and foot fractures,
with the phalanges being most vulnerable. Judo, mixed martial
arts and Thai kick boxing all have reported cases of fractures
to long bones, pelvis, radial head and ankle.(2-4,9-11)
Dislocations can occur in any joint, but the most common across
the different martial arts are in the shoulder, fingers and
toes. Knee dislocations are rare but have been reported(10).
Karate Kid finger – this is a recognised phenomenon in
the little finger of karate participants. The ulnar dorsal
digital nerve of the little finger is vulnerable to contusion
when the hand performs karate chops. Fibrosis within the nerve
sheaths and between the fibres may result. and requires surgical
intervention. This injury can be the result of overuse or poor
technique so it should be borne in mind where participants
complain of pain and paraesthesia (abnormal skin sensations,
nerve tingling etc) along the ulnar border of the little finger
and hand.
Severe – The potential for life-threatening injuries in
all forms of martial arts is enormous. If you suspect this type
of injury, the fighter should be prevented from continuing in
the tournament and taken to the nearest A&E department.
Mixed Martial Arts Deaths
There have only been three verified fatalities in MMA:
The first in MMA competition was the 1998 death of Douglas Dedge
in an unsanctioned fight in Ukraine. There are unconfirmed
reports that Dedge had a pre-existing medical condition.
The second was the 2005 death of a 35-year old man only
identified as Lee in South Korea. This took place in an
unsanctioned event in a restaurant called Gimme Five.
There had never been a death or crippling injury in a sanctioned
event in North America until the death of Sam Vasquez on
November 30, 2007. Vasquez collapsed shortly after being
knocked out by Vince Libardi in the third round of an October
20, 2007 fight at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Vasquez had two separate surgeries to remove blood clots from
his brain, and shortly after the second operation suffered a
major stroke and never regained consciousness.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS
These schools are just like they sound - they focus on full
contact fighting in the style of UFC, Pride, K1 and other so
called "no holds barred" competitions. They may teach one style
or be a mixed martial arts school that teaches multiple styles.
They will most likely be more focused on basics, drills and
fighting combinations than forms or weapons. Expect to hear rock
or rap music, the use of weights, and a majority adult male
student body. These are the hard core schools that will have the
best Mixed Martial Arts training, instructors, styles and
programs to become the ultimate Mixed Martial Arts Champion.
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