Different Fighting Styles

Ancient fighting styles have found their way into modern sparring events that organizers hold in large arenas with many safety rules. However, in the past, opponents used these techniques to settle personal disputes, provide a means of gambling or even compete for mates.

  1. Boxing

    • Boxing is a fighting style that has been popular in the U.S. for about 100 years. It is a two-person competition in which opponents wear gloves and punch each other until one of them has been knocked unconscious or can no longer fight. The hands are the only parts of the body that boxers use to hit their opponent. The area of the body below the belt line is off limits to blows.

    Wrestling

    • Wrestlers use their entire bodies for fighting, but they are not allowed to punch or kick. The objective is to pin an opponent to the ground by the shoulders. The first recording wrestling match was in 708 B.C., and the technique was often used to settle land disputes. It was also became a gambling activity, with spectators placing bets on the outcome of a match.

    Fencing

    • Fencing is a fighting style that dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome. It was originally used to settle disputes or win the affections of a mate, who would sometimes watch, but today it is a dueling sport. Opponents fight with long, thin swords and wear padded suits and headpieces for protection. The fighting resembles a sword-fighting dance, in which the skill lies in blocking an opponent's attempts to hit you. The winner is the first one to make contact using the weapon.

    Karate

    • Martial arts such as karate were among the first forms of structured self-defense fighting. Karate has become a popular form of exercise and sport in Japan in the last century. This fighting style consists of two opponents using their bare hands and feet to attack each other using kicks, punches and strikes. The winner is the one who makes contact with the most moves. Examples include the "front snap kick," "side kick" and "round house."

    Extreme Cage Fighting

    • Extreme cage fighting, also called mixed martial arts, started in 2001. It is a brutal fighting style in which two opponents can use any technique they choose. They don't wear protective clothing, only thin half-gloves. They fight inside a caged arena until one of them is knocked unconscious or can no longer fight.