MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is the world’s fastest growing sport. It combines striking, throwing and grappling techniques in contests held in an enclosed arena known as the Octagon. MMA is a full contact sport, and matches can be won by knockout or submission. The sport’s rapid uptake has resulted in an exponential increase in the number of competitors and spectators alike. Today, MMA competitions are held all over the world and feature some of the most exciting athletes on the planet.

Originally, MMA fighters only trained in one martial art and tended to be either strikers or grapplers. But as the sport grew in popularity, fighters began to realise that it was necessary to cross-train in order to be successful. As a result, combatants now tend to have a strong base in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu whilst also training in other fighting disciplines such as thai boxing and wrestling in order to enhance their overall game. This combination of different fighting styles has led to the development of the new MMA technique called ground and pound; where fighters will pound their opponent from the ground after taking them down.

The majority of MMA competitors have coaches that help them prepare and study their opponents. These coaches are usually very experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of the sport. The coaches are responsible for helping their athletes train to be the best that they can be. They will look at their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses in terms of their style, technique, power and speed. They will then work with their athlete to develop a strategy that will allow them to exploit those weaknesses.

In addition to the coaching staff, most MMA competitors have a team of strength and conditioning coaches. These coaches help their athletes to train effectively and to keep them healthy in between fights. They will train their athletes in various exercises designed to increase the explosiveness of their punches and kicks as well as to help them improve their flexibility.

All MMA matches are conducted in a ring or fenced area and are between two competitors of the same weight class. The fights last for a set amount of rounds, with each round lasting a fixed period of time (usually three). A fighter can win by knockout, technical knockout, submission, judges decision, disqualification, retirement, forfeit or doctor stoppage.

A doctor will be present at all major MMA events and they are responsible for analysing any injuries that the fighter may sustain during the fight. If a competitor sustains an injury that is deemed to be life threatening then the referee will immediately call for the doctor and the fight will be stopped.