The Greatest of Them All - Mixed Martial Arts As the New Fighting Style , Monday, September 21, 2009 at 7:49 AM, in

Wrestling and boxing are often considered the oldest sports in the world, as men (and more recently, women) have sought to establish their reputation through physical prowess. Over the years, many different cultures have developed their own fighting style and techniques; there's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Greco-Roman wrestling, karate, etc. But in our age of globalization, where cultures begin to bump into each other, a new style, mixed martial arts, has emerged as a conglomeration of many different styles into one unique fighting form.
Mixed martial arts, as it has been grown to be called, is not a specific fighting style in and of itself, but is rather an opportunity to experiment with a wide range of traditions and techniques at once. This allows for a wide range of moves that would traditionally be banned from various fighting styles. Where wrestling wouldn't allow for punch and kicks, mixed martial arts allow you to use Judo and boxing styles. And where boxing would allow for grappling or holds, MMA does.
Mixed martial arts is best exemplified by the athletes in the Ultimate Fighting Championships, the emerging fighting league that is beginning to challenge wrestling and boxing in popularity.






Started in the early 1990s, the Ultimate Fighting Championships has grown as fighters from across the world can bring their training and techniques--as well as a combination of them all--to the arena in a battle to subdue their opponent. Drawing on stand-up, clinch, and ground disciplines, the Ultimate Fighting Championships allows for kicks, punches, submission holds, and much more as fighters answer that storied question on the mat: which, of all the fighting traditions, is the most effective of them all?

The Arena (http://www.thearenamma.com/) is a San Diego MMA training gym that focuses on both students who want a great MMA school and fighters who want a great place to train.

Read More :  A Look at Two Popular Forms of Martial Arts

A Look at Two Popular Forms of Martial Arts , at 7:41 AM, in

Martial arts have existed in one form or another for thousands of years. Today, they are as popular as ever and exist in a variety of methods and schools. The two most popular varieties of martial arts in Northern America are Karate and Tae Kwon Do. While to the amateur eye, these two systems seem extremely similar if not identical, to the trained martial arts enthusiast, there are notable differences between the two.
The version of karate that we have come to know was developed in Japan in the island of Okinawa. It takes a great deal of influence from Chinese martial arts. While there are quite a few different styles of karate, we view them all as Japanese martial arts. Karate utilizes a colored belt system to show the ranks of the karate practitioner. This system ranges from white (the novice) to black belts (instructor levels and above). Black belts come in different degrees depending on the level of mastery you hold. Each time that the practitioner tests and passes to reach the next level, they earn a new color belt.




The martial art of karate uses katas or set routines that simulate fighting against an imaginary opponent. As a general rule, your arms and hands are used mostly for strikes and blocks (approximately 60% of the time), while legs are used primarily for kicking (about 40% of the time). A practitioner must learn blocks to protect themselves before they learn offensive moves.
Our modern form of tae kwon do was developed in Korea using a great deal of influence from Japanese karate. Because of this, it is frequently referred to as Korean Karate. Practitioners of this system use a similar belt system to show level of proficiency. There are two main styles of tae kwon do, one under the International Tae Kwon Do Federation and the other under the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.
Korean Karate differs from karate in the types of moves used for fighting and their frequency. Use of hands and arms in tae kwon do is only about 40% where as legs are used 60% of the time. They also utilize much higher kicks, aiming to the head level. In order to do this, they utilize more jumping and flying kicks. Tae Kwon Do forms are usually shorter and less complex than karate forms, though some schools include karate forms as well.
Whichever system of fighting you choose to learn, they both have far reaching benefits. Either way, you can't go wrong!

Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She is also a partner in an online bike carrier store.

Read More : Punching Bags - The Heavy Bag is Your Opponent

Punching Bags - The Heavy Bag is Your Opponent , at 7:31 AM, in

A great boxer understands the importance of strong punches and combination's to keep his opponent on his toes and to continually establish scenarios where he can land a strong punch. A punching bag is a great place to exercise combination's and build endurance. Below are a few of the most effective shots/combos out there.
Heavy Bag Shots and Combos
Jab, double jab, triple jab: While the jab isn't the strongest punch, it plays an important role of distracting your opponent. Be sure to mix it up a bit. Don't always do the standard single jab or jab-cross. Why not jab-jab-cross or jab-jab-jab cross. As long as you mix it up, your opponent won't be able to predict you. Pick a spot on the punching bag and try to jab repeatedly hitting that same spot.
Right cross: Usually preceded by a jab, ensure that you really follow through when doing the right cross. You want it to be powerful yet quick. If it is two slow, the opponent can get a punch in over the bend in the elbow straight to your face whereas if your arm is straightened, your chin is protected by your shoulder.
Jab-right cross: The most well known combo. Throw the heavy bag a quick jab with the left and a powerful cross with the right, being sure to follow through and step out of the way after throwing the cross. The bag can still knock you over if you don't step away after a hard punch, just like an opponent can throw a counter punch.




Regard the punching bag as your opponent
After all combination's, practice rolling under the punching bag, ducking and dodging around the bag. Imagine that you just unleashed hell on you opponent, and the opponent is coming back with the counter-shot of a right hand. Strive to go under the right hand (heavy bag) and come up with a right hook. If you can dodge the punching bag, you can dodge your opponent's cross.
We don't want to just go out there and start swinging at the bag. Once we throw a combination, we should know which way to shift our weight. Again the most common way to counter a cross is to duck under the opponents arm (or the punching bag) and once under, you can take a crack at the body or chin.
After every punch, it's best to keep moving or circle the punching bag as to get out of the path of your opponent. Most people move around the bag to the left since most out there are righties. Be sure to practice this both to the left and right. If you always go the same way, it's easier for your opponent to predict, making it harder for you.
Use the heavy bag for everything it has to offer. Don't just beat the crap out of it. Pretend it's an opponent that fights back. When it swings back after you throw a cross, duck under it and counter with a hook or an uppercut. The punching bag is one of the best tools out there. Just be sure to use it right and regard it as an opponent and not just a psychological release.
Read More : Tai Chi Swords