About MMA Fighters

The rise of popularity in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has made Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) one of the most popular contact sports. In the UFC, there are several MMA fighters who are famous for using skills and talent to knock out opponents and make them submit. MMA fighters could one day surpass the popularity of boxers and pro wrestlers.

  1. Function

    • Mixed Martial Arts fighters rely on a mix of skills to compete in the UFC caged octagon. These skills can be focused in wrestling, karate, Tai kwon do, Tai Chi, boxing and other forms of fighting. Fighters are usually focused more in one of the subject and that is what helps them take an advantage over other fighters. The purpose of MMA fighting is much like boxing: to prove that you are the best fighter in your division by competing to win championships and fame. Unlike pro wrestling, MMA fighters are legitimately fighting and are truly trading punches and hits in the ring.
      MMA fighters have to be at least 18 to wrestle in an official match, but training can begin much sooner through local gyms offering MMA, karate or boxing programs.

    Size

    • MMA fighters are split up into different weight categories that help make fights more fair. From smallest to biggest the categories are: Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight. The UFC has titles for each of these divisions where fighters are constantly competing to gain the top gold.
      The better the fighter is, the more money they will gain through matches. For example, during UFC 82, a major middleweight competition, the main event fights paid out $140,000, $100,000 and $60,000 to some of the top featured fighters. Along with the base amount, many fighters earn bonuses for winning and special awards for "Knockout of the Night" or "Match of the Night."

    History

    • MMA fighters took to the mainstream audience when the UFC premiered in 1993. Fighters like Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn and Royce Gracie gained stardom in combat sports. As time went on, the UFC gained popularity and started a show on Spike TV called the "Ultimate Fighter." This show propelled UFC to national recognition and stars like Diego Sanchez were born.
      Along with the UFC stars that started with the company, many other MMA fighters have paved their way to fame through the UFC. These names include Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin, Tim Sylvia, Forrest Griffin, Tito Ortiz and George St. Pierre. Some former pro wrestlers have joined the ranks of MMA fighters as well, such as Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley.

    Geography

    • UFC holds events mostly in the United States, but have traveled to Europe for a few shows as well. Before UFC bought the company, Pride FC was the leading MMA organization in Japan. Now that UFC has global market dominance, smaller companies like the World Combat League and World Extreme Cagefighting travel throughout the United States and Canada. MMA fighting is controversial and banned in states like Connecticut, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin. Some events are still held in these states, however, because the MMA bouts are competing on tribal land, like Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

    Effects

    • Becoming a MMA fighter includes dealing with the risks and dangers. Fighting can cause severe injury, causing concussions, broken bones and other damage that can end a career quickly. One of the more common injuries found in MMA fighters is known as "cauliflower ear" when fighters get hit in the ear too much and liquid fills the ear. The ear then puffs up and blocks almost the entire hole on the ear.