MMA

Empezamos el archivo sobre las Mixed martial arts (MMA) que tanto éxito está teniendo. Lo más cercano al circo romano que haya visto en mucho tiempo, con sangre en la arena, espectadores que rugen ante una patada asesina, apuestas, mujeres hermosas y dinero; MMA ha llegado para quedarse. En vocabulario: grappling y bout, y el video de la pelea entre Muhammad Ali y Antonio Inoki (boxeador uno y luchador el otro)

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling, both standing and on the ground, using techniques from various combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.

During the early 20th century, various mixed-style contests took place throughout Japan, Taiwan, and in the countries of the Four Asian Tigers. In Brazil, there was the sport of Vale Tudo, in which fighters from various styles fought with little to no rules. The Gracie family was known to promote Vale Tudo matches as a way to promote their own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style.  An early high-profile mixed martial arts bout (= match) was Masahiko Kimura vs. Hélio Gracie in 1951, fought between judoka Masahiko Kimura and Brazilian jiu jitsu founder Hélio Gracie in Brazil. In the West, the concept of combining elements of multiple martial arts was popularized by Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do during the late 1960s to early 1970s. A precursor to modern MMA was the 1976 Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki bout, fought between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki in Japan, where it later inspired the foundation of Pancrase in 1993 and Pride Fighting Championships in 1997.

In 1980, CV Productions, Inc. created the first regulated MMA league in the United States, called Tough Guy Contest, which was later renamed Battle of the Superfighters. The company sanctioned ten tournaments in Pennsylvania. However, in 1983 the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill prohibiting the sport. In 1993, the Gracie family brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, developed in Brazil from the 1920s, to the United States by founding the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) MMA promotion company. The company held an event with almost no rules, mostly due the influence of Art Davie and Rorion Gracie attempting to replicate Vale Tudo fights that existed in Brazil, and would later implement a different set of rules (example: eliminating kicking a grounded opponent), which differed from other leagues which were more in favour of realistic fights.

Originally promoted as a competition to find the most effective martial arts for real unarmed combat, competitors from different fighting styles were pitted against one another in contests with relatively few rules. MMA promoters were pressured to adopt additional rules to increase competitors' safety, to comply with sport regulations and to broaden mainstream acceptance of the sport. Following these changes, the sport has seen increased popularity with a pay-per-view business that rivals boxing and professional wrestling.

Fighters in 1993

Art Jimmerson competed at super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight.

Tank Abbott was the first fighter to regularly wear what would be known as traditional MMA gloves in the UFC.

Kimo Leopoldo is a retired American mixed martial artist and actor. He made his MMA debut at UFC 3 in 1994 losing to Royce Gracie by submission.

Gerard Gordeau is the 1991 World Champion Savate and holder of the Dutch Champion Kyokushin Karate title for 8 consecutive years.

Jason DeLucia: In UFC 2: No way out, DeLucia fought Royce Gracie and lost via armbar submission.

Ken Shamrock became the first UFC Superfight Champion when he defeated Dan Severn at UFC 6.

Dan Severn is the first man to compete in UFC and WWF (World Wrestling Federation) at the same time

.

Kevin Rosier: He had much success as a kickboxer, winning a number of titles, but did not transition particularly well into the world of boxing.

Patrick Smith is a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and also holds a black belt in Hapkido, American Kenpo, and Tang Soo Do.

Royce Gracie: Between 1993 and 1994, he was the tournament winner of UFC 1, UFC 2, UFC 4, and fought to a draw with Ken Shamrock in the championship match in the Superfight at UFC 5.

Teila Tuli is an American actor and a former sumo wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is from Laie, Hawaii and is of Samoan descent.

Trent Jenkins: He competed in the Middleweight division. Jenkins also was in the first ever fight in UFC history losing to Jason DeLucia.

Zane Frazier: After a successful career in karate during the 1980s in which he won numerous international accolades, Frazier then turned his hand to kickboxing.

Vocabulario

Grappling: a seizing or gripping. The sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down.

Video

Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki Highlights

Para saber

Pancrase Inc. is a mixed martial arts promotion company founded in Japan in 1993 by professional wrestlers Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki.

The Gracie family is a prominent martial arts family from Brazil known for their development of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They have been successful in combat sport competitions including mixed martial arts, vale tudo, and submission wrestling events.

Artículos relacionados

Gene Lebell

Muhammad Ali

Para incrementar tu vocabulario, en las artes marciales mixtas, que mejor que escuchar y leer sobre los peleadores, sus éxitos y sus fracasos.