This four-part article series provides beginners with all the essential need-to-know information about Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which has become one of today’s most popular full-contact combat sports.
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elcome to the final installment of this four-part article series on the popularity of MMA or mixed martial arts in Atlanta and everything beginning enthusiasts should know about this thrilling full-contact combat sport. In our previous article installment, Part 3, we discussed live event etiquette and covered the following important points:
Don’t drink too much! Only get up and move around between fighting rounds. Don’t boo or mock the contestants if the fight seemingly grinds to a halt. Remember: an interest in MMA doesn’t make you a fighter so don’t pick fights. The fighters are human beings, too. Don’t harass or stalk them if you run into them.
Now, let’s take a look at some final fundamental facts for beginning Atlanta enthusiasts…
# 7: Become an Exceptional MMA Fighter and Train in Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu It’s called “mixed martial arts” for a reason. MMA draws inspiration and technique from multiple different martial arts disciplines and two very popular ones are Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. Even if you don’t plan to become a professional MMA fighter, a few classes will help you understand and appreciate the skill of the fighters who are trained in these various forms of martial arts. For those Atlanta residents who do want to take their combat sport to professional heights, proficiency in martial arts such as these is a very smart idea.
# 8: Know Your MMA Weight Classes MMA fighters are rigorously classed into nine different weight categories to ensure that all fights are fair and evenly matched. These classes have been
determined by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts (from heaviest to lightest): Super Heavyweight: More than 265 pounds Heavyweight: 265 pounds Light Heavyweight: 205 pounds Middleweight: 185 pounds Welterweight: 170 pounds Lightweight: 155 pounds Featherweight: 145 pounds Bantamweight: 135 pounds Flyweight: 125 pounds
# 9: Dana White is the UFC President and the Face of MMA Business He is lord supreme, the man behind the workings of most major MMA events, promotion and business and the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Dana White has impeccable business sense as well as a fierce passion for combat sports. He is also one of those rare leaders who listen closely to the demands of the sport’s fans and work hard to deliver. The result is that you get exactly what you want to see when you tune in to the UFC or watch a live fight.
# 10: Unfortunately, Women’s MMA is Dying Out Dana White is the president of the UFC and he has pretty much made it clear that he doesn’t like the thought of women going up against each other in the cage. This is not only from an ethical standpoint – he doesn’t like the idea of women smacking each other in the face – but also there simply isn’t sufficient support for women’s MMA in Atlanta and across the United States. Women who do want to compete in MMA will probably be forced to look at fighting overseas in order to maintain a professional career.