MMA boxing: focus on mixed martial arts

What is MMA boxing?

MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a complete combat sport that combines several other disciplines: judo, Thai Boxing, French slipper, wrestling, or even jiu-jitsu. In his practice, we find a mixture of striking, projection and submission techniques. 

Inspirations from MMA boxing

Modern MMA finds its origins in several combat sports over time, notably ancient pankration and the brazilian jiu-jitsu. It is one of the the most dangerous boxes. 

Common points can indeed be established with the pankration, a combat sport practiced in ancient Greece during the Olympic Games. In this discipline, almost all techniques are authorized. Only the introduction of a finger into the eye or mouth of one's opponent as well as the pulling of the ear and genitals are prohibited.

More recently, the development of MMA has been largely enabled by the brazilian family Gracie. 

Indeed, in the 20th century, the Japanese Mitsuyo Maéda, then judo champion in his country, transmitted his knowledge in judo and in ju-jitsu to the son of his friend, Gastão Gracie. 

Once back in Brazil, between brothers then from father to son, the fighters of this family adapt, improve and perfect their learning of the discipline. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is thus developed.

The appearance of this combat sport

To make themselves known, the Gracie family sets up the Gracie Challenge. The goal is simple: invite any athlete who feels capable to come and face a family member in a free fight. 

Two prohibitions govern these meetings of Vale Tudo, which literally means “Everything is allowed" : 

• the ban on hitting the spine
• the ban on putting fingers in eyes or in any other orifice of his opponent.

These encounters are so impressive and popular that fighters from all over the world travel to face the Gracie family. Its members very rarely lose their fight.

Over time, different athletes learn and incorporate discipline techniques different of their main sport to improve. The different combat sports are starting to mix. The MMA that we know today is gradually emerging.

The difficulties of MMA

L'absence of periods and duration during Vale Tudo meetings, however, makes it a very violent sport and little accepted by public and political opinion. 

Athletes, politicians and institutions criticize this sport which they consider brutal, bloody and dangerous. 

Some countries like the United States even go as far as to forbid meetings CFU (Ultimate Fighting Championship) on their territory. 

We will have to wait years for a settlement comes to supervise the discipline:

• limit of time matches
• etablishing of rounds
• progress of the fight in a octagon
• addition of judges during matches to avoid draws
• creating a list of mistakes

More restrictive, these rules make it possible to professionalize the discipline and better protect MMA fighters.

Is MMA authorized in France?

In France, a ministerial decree dating from 2016 prohibits any sport that allows ground blows. Quite explicitly, the practice of mixed martial arts is therefore not authorized on French territory. 

We will have to wait until the beginning of 2020 for the Ministry of Sports change of opinion. He then decides that it is French Boxing Federation which must supervise the practice of MMA on a national scale. 

France thus becomes the last country of the European Union to legalize MMA from a professional point of view. For two years, it has now been able to host and organize professional competitions in the discipline. 

Due to its popularity with the French, its evolution remains however closely monitored by the Ministry of Sports.

What are the rules of MMA?

You have understood, MMA is a very physical activity intense And complete in the techniques it allows during a fight. The establishment of a regulation then allows all harmonize and of protect at the same time the practitioners.

The progress of an MMA boxing fight

In mixed martial arts, matches take place in an octagonal cage, simply called theoctagon.

All shots are allowed : fists, feet, elbows, knees, ground strike, immobilization, submission or throwing technique.

Depending on the competition and the level, the two fighters face each other during 1 or 5 rounds of 3 to 5 minutes under the eye of three judges and D'a referee.

Professional boxers generally fight for 3 or 5 rounds of 5 minutes.

During the fight, the winner can be chosen from 3 different ways :

• a fighter puts his opponent KO ou unable to continue the fight
• a fighter achieves a submission technique who pushes his opponent to give up (or who pushes the referee to make the decision to stop the fight)
• the judges give the final decision based on their score sheets

Forbidden blows

In MMA, it is particularly forbidden to:

• giving head shots
• tackle the eyes of his opponent
• pull them hair
• hit on the spine, there neck or theback of the head
• type in the genitals
• to bite Or spit on his opponent
• intentionally place finger in a orifice, a cutoff or a laceration of his opponent
• trample Or crush his opponent when he is on the ground

For competition in Amateur MMA, normally authorized techniques were also prohibited to protect the athletes: 

• the blows of knees against the head of his opponent
• the keys to neck, of ankle or heel in twist
• spinal and neck twists
• all keystrokes with elbows and the forearm

Failure to follow these rules may result in disqualification of the boxer.

Equipment for a fight

To protect their bodies, fighters must wear the following equipment:

• A shorts MMA or compression shorts
• of the bandages
• of the gloves, Or mittens for hands
• A mouth guard
• a shell (optional for women)
• of the Shin pads socks
• an undershirt, called rash guard
• A helmet, only if both combatants agree

In professional competitions, the last three pieces of equipment are strictly prohibited. 

Who can practice MMA?

Mixed martial arts are suitable for both professional boxers and anyone wishing to practice the discipline leisurely. No prerequisites are needed to get started. However, in the meetings, the practitioners are divided by age and weight category.

Young and amateur MMA

In mixed martial arts for youth and the amateurs, practitioners are divided into age categories for girls and boys:

• Youth C (U14) : for 12-13 year olds 
• Youth B (U16) : for 14-15 year olds
• Youth A (U18) : for 16-17 year olds
• Juniors (U21): for 18-20 year olds
• Seniors (21+): for ages 21 and over

From the age of majority, the competition splits into two distinct classes : 

• there Amateur B class (Ama B) for practitioners counting between 0 and 6 fights all combat sports combined
• there Amateur A class (Ama A) for practitioners who have done more than 6 fights or already having a proven competitive experience in combat sports 

In each age category, weight categories are set to divide the fighters. 

For example, the U18, U21 and 21+ male categories are distributed as follows:

• weight straws : less than 52.2 kg, 115 lb
• flyweight : less than 56.7 kg, 125 lb
• bantamweight : less than 61.2 kg, 135 lb
• featherweight : less than 65.8kg, 145 lb
• light weights : less than 70.3 kg, 155 lb
• welterweight (or welterweight) : less than 77.1kg, 170 lb
• middleweight : less than 83.9 kg, 185 lb
• medium-heavyweight (or light-heavyweight) : less than 93 kg, 205 lb
• heavyweight : less than 120.2 kg, 265 lb

In the U18, U21 and 21+ women's categories, the categories are almost the same. They are going from featherweights to welterweights with the addition of the category atom weight for those under 47.7kg, or 105 lb.

Professional MMA

In professional mixed martial arts, competitors are separated into two groups: 

• elite 2: the fighter has a track record between 0 and 9 fights
• elite 1: the fighter has a track record greater than or equal to 10 fights

Regarding weight categories, in women's competitions U21 pro And 21+ pro, these categories are the same as for amateurs. They go from atom weight At welterweight Or welterweight.  

At the junior and senior men, the fighters are also separated as among the amateurs: straw weight to heavyweight.

For seniors, however, there is an additional category: super heavyweight for those over 120.2kg, or over 265 lbs.

The weigh-in of MMA fighters is done the day before the fight to validate the category in which they will have to compete.

To conclude: what to remember about this combat sport

Often called free fight, MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a discipline with many specific characteristics:

• It brings together a variety of other sports: judo, ju-jitsu, boxing English, struggle
• This sport can present phases of standing fight, At ground and hand to hand
• The fighters are divided into weight categories and age categories
• Many shots are prohibited to protect opponents
• The practice of this discipline has been legalized in France since early 2020
• In a match, victory can be decided by KO, immobilization Or judges' decision

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