The MMA world features a variety of martial arts systems. Fighters may identify as strikers or grapplers, although the best MMA fighters are well-rounded, able to utilize striking, ground, and wrestling techniques effectively. During the early years of the UFC, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experts like Royce Gracie dominated competition by using their superior grappling skills against opponents from striking based disciplines such as boxing, kickboxing, and karate.
Wrestling And Boxing
Wrestling and boxing are two of the most commonly seen fighting styles in MMA, to know more click here combatpress.com/2023/11/the-breakdown-of-various-fighting-styles-in-mma/. Wrestling is a grappling based sport in which competitors use take downs and throws to put their opponent on the mat and secure a pin, or submission hold. Grappling arts such as wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have proven to be extremely effective in MMA, particularly when combined with striking art forms like Muay Thai and boxing. Several notable champions have utilized a blend of these techniques, including former UFC Lightweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, UFC Featherweight Edson Barboza and former UFC Middleweight Darren Till.
The striking art of boxing requires a high level of speed and power to infiltrate an opponents range, close the gap, and initiate takedown maneuvers. In contrast, a wrestler can apply constant pressure and control the distance of a fight, resulting in dominant top position or successful submission holds such as Triangle-Armbar and Straight-Jacket. This makes wrestling a natural counter to any striking art in MMA.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The Gracie family are credited with developing Brazilian jiu-jitsu into the martial art form popularized by Royce Gracie in UFC 1. This style focuses on getting an opponent to the ground and neutralizing size and strength advantages through ground fighting techniques such as choke holds and joint-locks. Fighters in this style often wear a gi, a uniform similar to a judo suit but with tighter cuffs and an open collar that makes it harder for an opponent to manipulate with grips. Practitioners also practice with a no-gi, and most schools offer both gi and no-gi training.
MMA fighters are required to be well-rounded and proficient in a variety of styles, including wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They must also be skilled at utilizing effective striking, securing a top grappling position, and delivering submission holds that stop opponents in their tracks. All of these skills are rewarded in the scoring system used to determine the winner of each match, as well as in the judges’ scorecards.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai fighters are a great fit for MMA because they can capitalize on being on the inside and unleash devastating elbow strikes. Moreover, their ability to knee up into the face of their opponents from the clinch makes them particularly dangerous in this sport. Yodkhunphon Sittraiphum and Karuhat Sor Supawan are both golden age masters of the brutal elbow strike. Muay thai fighters tend to come out hard from the start of the fight looking for an early knockout. They also tend to be heavy punchers utilizing their hands as the main weapon of choice. Fighters like Rodtang Jitmuangnon have become internationally renowned for their aggressive Muay Thai style.
The beauty of MMA is that it’s a melting pot of fighting styles. It is up to the individual fighter to determine what works best for them, taking into account their physical build and athleticism as well as the knowledge that their trainers have imparted on them.
Kickboxing
The style of kickboxing is characterized by punches, kicks and foot sweeps executed above the waist. It is also characterized by defensive techniques such as parrying and blocking, where the fighter uses his hands to deflect the opponent’s attacks. It has contributed to the emergence of MMA by further hybridization with striking-based arts such as karate and Muay Thai, and grappling styles such as wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Those with a background in both striking and grappling styles have become the most successful in MMA, as well-rounded fighters that can take an opponent to the ground while delivering effective strikes from a standing position.
In a fight, a fighter’s fighting style will determine how many points they score and how much damage they dole out. For this reason, fighters should train in a martial art that can cover all of the ranges of unarmed combat, from striking to clinching and ground fighting. In addition to training in a versatile fighting style, fighters should focus on cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and flexibility exercises.
Conclusion
Striking disciplines like Muay Thai, boxing and karate focus on attacking range, striking techniques and the ability to knock an opponent out with punches or kicks. Grappling arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo are based on submissions and positioning control, taking an opponent to the ground to set up strikes or chokeholds.
