Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a hybrid combat sport that combines boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate, muay thai (Thai boxing) and other disciplines. It is a full-contact sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills to be used in competition. MMA has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the success of professional fighters such as Megumi Fujii, Miesha Tate, Cristiane Cyborg Santos, Ronda Rousey, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Holly Holm and Gina Carano. Muay Thai has become a popular striking style in MMA because it uses all the tools the human body has to offer.
The kicks, knees and elbows of Muay Thai have proven to be devastating when applied correctly. It is also a great form of self-defense and fitness for the whole body. The rules of modern MMA competitions have changed significantly since the early days of Vale Tudo, the Japanese shooting fight and UFC 1.All organizations affiliated with the FMMAP participate in the training and promotion of MMA with a common goal for amateur sports. These organizations come from various martial arts including karate, kickboxing, Muay Thai, pankration Athlima, mixed martial arts, jeet kune do, free style martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling.
In the mid-20th century, the increase in crime in Hong Kong led many young Hong Kongers to learn martial arts to defend themselves. This led to the revival of Catch with the advent of mixed martial arts in the 90s. In April 2000, the California State Athletic Commission unanimously voted in favor of regulations which later became the basis of the Unified Mixed Martial Arts Rules. Kickboxing is not a mix of martial arts; it is a pure striking art while MMA incorporates many different martial arts to create a unique fighting style.
Taekwondo is one of the most practiced martial arts in the world and is known for its striking kicking techniques. In the middle of the 20th century, mixed martial arts contests emerged in Hong Kong's street fighting culture in the form of rooftop fighting. Boxing is not considered a martial art because it doesn't focus on punching and kicking an opponent's body. However, it can still be beneficial for practitioners as it helps improve mental focus and fitness. Anyone can practice boxing regardless of their level of physical fitness as it is a very complete martial art with many techniques involved.
