Different Types of Martial Arts Used In MMA

MMA is a hybrid combat sport that incorporates techniques from individual martial arts and puts it all together in a fight. Initially, there were many critics, citing the dangers and being labelled as a “brutal barbaric blood sport with no rules”.

However, over the years, MMA has shed its no-holds-barred image and now emerges as the one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

As explained, there are many different styles of fighting allowed in MMA; competitors come from all sorts of martial arts backgrounds but the key is being able to put it all together.

Although some fans may tune in to the occasional fight, there are many who fail to understand the individual disciplines and arts that go into the “mix” of mixed martial arts.

In this article, I will be explaining all types of martial arts, commonly used in a MMA fight. This list is ordered from most common to least common.

Boxing:

Boxing is a martial art that is used by everyone. To be an MMA fighter, you got to have some sort of boxing. Boxing is simply the martial art of punching; hitting your opponent without getting hit yourself. This means boxing defence, like parrying or head movement is crucial in MMA.

Many boxers who transition into MMA have had to adapt their style as a boxing stance is not ideal when fighting in MMA as you are susceptible to kicks and being taken down.

Every fighter has some sort of boxing in their resume, however, as MMA is evolving, more boxers have learned to adapt their style for modern MMA.

Common Moves: Jab, Straight, Hook, Uppercut, Slip, and Parry

Notable Fighters: Max Holloway, Holly Holm, Jorge Masvidal and Chuck Liddell

Wrestling:

There are many types of wrestling incorporated into MMA; Freestyle, Greco-Roman and American Folkstyle. These have gained tremendous respect over the years due to its effectiveness in MMA competitions. This martial art is widely studied by competitors around the world as Wrestling allows competitors to control where the match will go. Supirior wrestlers are able to control their opponent and take them down to the mat and dominate on top weather that’s ground and pound or working for a submission. Having a strong wrestling base is also key, especially if you have superior striking, you can use your wrestling defence to keep the fight on the feet.

Common Moves: Single and double leg Takedown, Front headlock, Suplex and Ankle pick

Notable Fighters: Yoel Romero, Chris Weidman, Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

BJJ is a form of martial arts mostly focused on groundwork, grappling and control. This martial arts is usually more self-defence oriented whilst focusing on finding positions to dominate and force your opponent to the point of submission.

BJJ was developed by the Gracie family in the 1920’s and is a adaptation to Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, the popularity of BJJ rose after Royce Gracie won UFC 1, whilst submitting all of his opponents.

The main focus in BJJ is to take your opponent down to the ground, gain a dominant position and use a number of techniques to force them into submission by using joint locks or chokeholds.

Every high level MMA fighter has a good understanding of BJJ and how to defend transitions, sweeps and submissions.

Common Moves: Rear Naked Choke, Armbar, Leg Lock, Kimura and Shoulder Lock

Notable Fighters: Damien Maia, Charles Oliveria, Paul Craig, and Tony Ferguson

Muay Thai/Kickboxing:

Muay Thai and kickboxing are widely recognised as the foundation of striking in mixed martial arts, and are both widely practiced and taught. Originating in Thailand, Muay Thai is commonly known as ‘’the art of eight limbs’’, which refers to the use of the legs, knees, elbows and fists. One of the main benefits of practicing Muay Thai for mixed martial arts is its versatility. Techniques cover the long, middle and short range with everything from kicks to clinch holds and throws. Meanwhile, kickboxing is a group of stand-up and a form of boxing based on kicking and punching. The modern style originated in Japan, developed from a hybrid style of karate and Muay Thai. It later had further development in the Netherlands and the United States.

Common Moves: Knee, Elbow, Teep, Switch kick, Low Kick

Notable Fighters: Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza, Valentina Shevchenko and Alex Pereria

Karate:

Over the years Karate has proven to be very effective in the sport of mixed martial arts, especially Kyokushin and other full contact styles. It is one of the core foundations of kickboxing and specializes in diverse striking techniques. The main benefit of karate in MMA is the ability to efficiently close the distance between you and your opponent. The movement and footwork of a karate fighter is often unorthodox and unpredictable which creates opportunities to attack and counter.

Point fighting is also very common in Karate. There are many fighters who use this point fighting style to outpoint and frustrate their opponents. Quickness and patience is required in point fighting as you are not as engaged with your opponent but look to counter their attacks.

Common Moves: Straight Punch, High Kick, Spinning Kick and Front Kick

Notable Fighters: Stephen Thompson, Lyoto Machida, Michael Page and Kyoji Horiguchi

Sambo:

Sambo, a martial art created in the Soviet Union in the 1920’s. It is a form of grappling but it is more known for its aggressive style with its focus on takedowns, throws and submissions. Combat Sambo also includes striking, such as, punching and kicking.

The Sambo style is notoriously known for its devastating leg locks and intense non-stop grappling style which we have seen plenty of Sambo based fighters frustrate their opponents with their relentless pressure and high intensity. This is also the case as it is widely known that training Sambo requires going through gruelling, mentally and physically difficult training sessions on a regular basis.

Common Moves: Leg Lock, Casting Punch, Trips, Slams and Kneebar

Notable Fighters: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Fedor Emelianenko and Islam Makhachev

Judo:

Judo is a martial art that was created in Japan and formally formed in 1882. This martial art uses leverage and holds to throw or submit a resisting opponent.

Judo based fighters usually find success in MMA when they are clinching or against the cage, when they are in control on the feet.

Common Moves: Hip Throws, Sacrifice Throw, Joint Locks and Shoulder Throws

Notable Fighters: Ronda Rousey, Hector Lombard and Rick Hawn

Taekwondo:

Taekwondo is a very technical stand up martial art that teaches you to maintain range and control distance, the ability to fight from both stances and improving your timing, accuracy and speed.

Taekwondo is all about kicks and being unpredictable when kicking. The main focus is ensuring that you are hitting the target when attacking, therefore Taekwondo fighters can be quite hesitant as they are waiting patiently to attack.

Common Moves: Roundhouse Kick, Front Kick, Spinning Kick, Axe Kick, Side Kick and Back Kick

Notable Fighters: Conor Mcgregor, Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis

Capoeira:

This martial art resonates from Brazil and is the art of dance style fighting, using quick and complex manoeuvres which use power, speed and leverage across a wide variety of kicks, spins and techniques.

Common Moves: Spinning Kicks, Rolling Thunder and Front Kick

Notable Fighters: Conor Mcgregor, Anderson Silva and Michel Pereira.