Are MMA, UFC really Martial Arts? By Tracy Warrener

Are MMA, UFC really Martial Arts?

The debate of whether MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) or UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) are really a Martial Art has been on going for decades. To determine the answer to that question one must first understand what these fighting styles are and where they came from.

Mixed Martial Arts, or the idea of it, dates back to the classic Greek Era in which a combat sport known as Pankration was a popular Olympic Sport. It combined grappling and striking techniques which are similar in our Modern day Mixed Martial Arts. Over the years many other types of Martial Arts, wrestling and boxing have incorporated other arts within their fighting system. All of these have taken a vital role in developing MMA. The Ultimate Fighting Championship which was introduced in the mid 1990’s has been a key part in the world wide exposure to Mixed Martial Arts.

If we break it down we see many talented fighters from all types of backgrounds. These MMA athletes often have a traditional background in one or more Traditional Martial Arts. Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Judo,Wrestling and Boxing just to name a few which are at the roots of MMA. Though MMA rules may be different and there are no specific belts in it, the techniques themselves are from the basics of traditional martial arts. These athletes spend years training and developing their fighting style which focuses on this extreme, no holds barred type of sport. Traditional Martial Arts such as Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Judo to name several are taught often from a young age and are studied over years and belt levels are part of the training. The students develop not only their fighting skills, but also learn the history and culture of the art in which they are studying. MMA students and practitioners also train their different fighting techniques, have to be in top physical shape, and learn how to read their opponents. It becomes a personal choice as to what a student from either wants to learn and what they want to get out of their training.

Some may say MMA isn’t a real Martial Art. Knowing the history of where MMA has come from, its roots as well as the individual fighter’s background all become key when answering the question. Regardless of what you decide, both have value, both take a great amount of time and skill to develop into a valuable fighting style and art. Perhaps its safe to say that yes, MMA is a Modern Day Mixed Martial Art which encompasses many different types of Martial Arts all for the extreme fighting purpose.

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com http://www.warrenerentertainment.com/early-mma/ http://www.warrenerentertainment.com/knock-out-cu...