MMA [mixed martial arts] According to the IMMAF or the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, MMA is “Frequently billed as the World’s fastest-growing sport, MMA combines wrestling and striking martial arts into one complete discipline, including techniques from Thai-boxing, judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and boxing. Although contemporary MMA is only as old as the world’s first website and phenomenally proliferated with the growth of the internet, its roots can be traced as far back as Pankration in the ancient Olympic Games”. (Immaf.org, 2019)
MMA is taught on various levels of the sport continuum and can be pursued for multiple purposes. People take part in MMA to compete at different levels, to stay healthy and as a form of self-defense. MMA is a combat sport and has been deemed a dangerous sport as it can become competitive and gruesome when matters become personal. At 2019’s UFC 245 championship title fight, Colby Covington went head to head with the undisputed welterweight champion of the world Kamaru Usman. Usman and Covington have had bad blood since Usman’s recent victory against previous welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. At the UFC 245 press conference, Covington shouted racist slurs making matters personal between the two champions. In the fight, Kamaru Usman went on to beat Colby Covington with a stunning fifth-round TKO. Both fighters fought ferociously, and Covington sustained a broken jaw after Usman landed a clean overhand right on Covington’s unclenched jaw. As soon as the fight ended and Usman was declared a winner by TKO, Covington ran out of the ring to receive medical attention.
MMA in its nature is without a doubt a fast-growing sport. It is continuously evolving into a fighting style of its own. Its industry generates hundreds of millions of dollars a year hence its popularity. Fighters can pursue what they love whilst earning money and building a reputation as MMA fighters. the future of this sport looks sharper than ever…
Adnaans Sports Science Blog 