“MMA” is all over the place these days, and for those involved with the sport, the
components of combat are innate. Multiple fighting worlds combine in a beautiful
yet unpredictable manner, interchangeable at a second’s notice as a fight
dictates. For those outside of the MMA world looking in, the complex interaction
of multiple fighting disciplines can be confusing at times. Mixed martial arts is a
great activity for getting into shape, developing your confidence and making you
a more skilled fighter in all essential areas which are applicable both in and out of
the ring. Is it right for you? Let’s break down the three “arts” which make up
martial arts, striking, submissions, and wrestling.
Striking
Perhaps the most painful and obvious part of mixed martial arts fighting is striking – the
use of legs, knees, hands, and elbows to throw strikes at your opponent. Fighters from
the worlds of boxing, Karate, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing all funnel into the sport of
MMA. There can be overlap at times, as the rules of some offer allowances use certain
strikes. In MMA, they can all be used, in unpredictable and always exciting ways.
Discipline, time, and practice make one a good striker.
If you’re thinking about MMA, jump into wrestling, boxing, or karate. Learn a discipline
and develop your skill and work ethic. Then, start with some cross-training across
multiple areas. Most MMA fighters wish they had spent more time grappling, so young
potential fighters are often advised to start with wrestling. Give it time. Try the various
worlds of wrestling, submission, and striking. Remember that MMA isn’t life – MMA is a
tool that should be used to enrich your life.
Submissions
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a discipline that uses leg locks, chokes, and arm locks in an effort
to get your opponent to ‘submit’ or surrender. Catch or Submission wrestling are also
integral parts of the submission realm. Submissions can be highly dangerous and their
origin goes back centuries. An intense study of the human body and the effects of
pressure and positioning goes into a well-balanced and skilled MMA fighter. The
generation that grew up seeing “Tap Out” everywhere is already aware of the
submission motion, whether they know it or not.
Wrestling
Two wrestling styles are used by MMA fighters: Freestyle and Greco-Roman. Many of
the top MMA fighters of today were star high school, college, and even Olympic level
wrestlers before finding MMA fame. Wrestling is essentially about controlling your
opponent and forcing him to the ground for a pin, and at times, a submission. Wrestling
is a discipline often started by athletes at the elementary school level. The ability to
control one’s own body at the wrestling level is the foundation for mixed martial arts
‘ground game’ and is a hugely important skill for future MMA fighters to develop. If
you’re interested in MMA, it’s time to get serious about wrestling!