the Rise of Mixed Martial Arts

The sport of mixed martial arts as we know it now began around 15 years ago, where it sprang from vale tudo, no holds barred fighting, and an aim to determine the most effective fighting style that can be learned. The first open weight (no set weight limits for entrants) tournaments started around this time, were similar in rules to no holds barred, and were fought in either a cage or boxing ring. The cage was more of an American invention to give these first shows a more extreme edge, where the use of a boxing ring was more in favor in Japan where it was already being used for the submissions wrestling and kick-boxing shows that were happening there.

The growth of the sport was slow at first, as many struggled to see past the brutality and violence, and some of the first major tournaments featured competitors who in reality were less than athletic or skillful. Surprisingly enough however these tournaments were fairly popular and their popularity forced the sport to evolve as it gained popularity so as to be accepted by athletic commissions and regulatory boards, as well as television channels to enable them to be broadcast.

However as more and more rules were brought in, 4oz gloves for example, steroid testing, outlawing head butts and low blows, as well as weight classes and rounds for fights, the sport has slowly built fan-bases around the world, particularly in Asia, Brazil, Canada the US and the UK. Japan and Korea in particular have had long histories within MMA with organizations such as Pride FC, K1 and Shooto originating there, and more recently victory road fighting. Brazil similarly is still the stronghold for no holds barred fighting shows, that use no gloves and very few rules, which is where a lot of the mixed martial arts stars of today such as Wanderlai Silva started out.