Newbie guide to MMA

unknown13

For all those new to MMA, we have decided to created a thread which you can get the basics of MMA in one place and ask questions that are not addressed in the

What are the rules in MMA ?
There is quiet a few rules in MMA. The main ones are:

• No groin & throat strikes.
• No eye gouging or headbutts
• No small joint manipulation.
• No stomping on a ground opponent
• No kicks or knees to the head of a downed opponent
• No striking to the back of the head or the spine.

A downed opponent is when a fighter puts one finger on the ground. I should point out that this rule is currently under review by the Athletic Commissions, who are the main rule makers in America.

There is more rules and the UFC do a nice section on their website that goes into the rules in the Website. Here is a link to that site: More information about the rules of MMA

What is the UFC?
The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the biggest organisation that promotes MMA, it is extremely widely considered the top organisation in the World and has all the best fighters in it. It is easy to spend a long time talking about the UFC but if you want to know more about everything UFC then check out this link: More information about the UFC and MMA in general

How long do fights last ?
This can vary depending on the organisation. Most organisations fights last either five rounds of five minutes for main event and/or title fights. The rest of the fights are three rounds of five minutes.

Fair enough title fights but why do main event fights last five minutes?
This is something that has been adopted by the UFC since 2011, when they were allowed have more five round fights. Five round non title fights were allowed from late 2011 and the UFC used them for their bigger shows for main event fights but on one of their smaller shows in the main event a fighter who was clearly loosing the first two rounds, came out and destroyed his opponent but didn't finish him. Had he got an extra two rounds, the result could have been different and the UFC made all main event fights five rounds. Some exceptions are made though, when injuries happen to fighters.

Why do fights take place in a cage?
The cage is safer than a boxing ring due to MMA's grappling nature and allows for much more free flowing action than a boxing ring.

What type of gloves do they use in MMA ?
Open finger gloves are used, which are light in weight. Designs vary by organisation.

What are the weight classes in MMA ?
The weight classes in mens MMA are:

• Heavyweight: 206-265lbs
• Light-Heavyweight: 186-205lbs
• Middleweight: 171-185lbs
• Welterweight: 156-170lbs
• Lightweight: 146-155lbs
• Featherweight:136-145lbs
• Bantamweight: 126-135lbs
• Flyweight: 116-125lbs

Women's weight classes are:

• Featherweight:136-145lbs
• Bantamweight: 126-135lbs
• Flyweight: 116-125lbs
• Strawweight: 106-115lbs
• Atomweight: 96-105lbs

There is a Womens only organisation called Invicta. They have fighters from those weight classes. The other main ones, don't have as many Womens weight classes.

It is up each organisations to decide which weight class they want to use.

When the fight hits the ground, what are the most common moves?
When the fight hits the ground, there is various techniques used with the majority being from Brazilian Ju Jitsu. The positioning is probably the most important aspect of the ground due to the fact that punches can be thrown on the ground to a fighters head and the ref can stop the fight if a fighter is taking too many punches on the ground. Also, there is a number of submissions that can be pulled off from each position.

There is great little link in relation to the positions and basic here: BJJ Techniques. You are strongly advised to look at: The Mount, Guard and Side Mount (Half Guard). When the fight hits the ground, the ground. That is where fighters can end up.

Ush1

Left out shots to the back of the head being illegal and 12 to 6 elbows, not sure if they would be main rules?

Mellor

Ush1 wrote: »

Left out shots to the back of the head being illegal and 12 to 6 elbows, not sure if they would be main rules?

Maybe just link to the unified or ufc rules rather than trying to summarise the rules.

DrPhilG

Mellor wrote: »

Maybe just link to the unified or ufc rules rather than trying to summarise the rules.

I sent that in a PM as requested. Not sure if there's much point filling the newbie information thread with suggestions, unless they're going to be deleted once the first post is finalised.

If a newbie has to wade through all this stuff it kinda defeats the purpose of the thread.

The UFC website "about the sport" section does a very good job of saying the same thing as this thread is about. So I suggested either linking there or copying the gist of it and the format.

MrStuffins

"Fedor is the best!!"

"No, it's GSP!!"

"No way, Anderson Silva!!"

Who is who?

Royce Gracie - Royce was the first UFC Champion and part of the reason why the sport exists.

Anderson Silva - "Greatest Champion in the history of the sport" (?). Became UFC MW Champion in 2006 and reigned until 2013.

Fedor Emelianenko - Long time Pride Champion and "Greatest HW of All Time" (?). Never fought in the UFC to much criticism.

Wanderlei Silva - Long time Pride MW Champ. Never translated into success in the US however.

Dan Henderson - First fighter to simultaneously hold belts in 2 divisions, MW & WW in Pride. UFC Tournament Champion.

"Minitauro" Noguirea (Big Nog) - Former Pride and UFC (Interim) HW Champ.

Randy Couture - 3 time UFC HW Champ, 2 time UFC LHW Champ, tournament champ, the guy is a legend.

Chuck Liddell - One of the most dominating champions in the sport. Former LHW Champ. Had awesome rivalries with Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz.

Georges St Pierre - Most dominant WW Champion of all. Took the torch from Matt Hughes. Criticised for having a boring style.

BJ Penn - Former WW & LW Champ. Criticised for his tendency to not train for fights and pay the consequences in his performances.

unknown13

I am just going to throw in a part about local mma and then leave it at that. If anyone wants to contribute to that section. I would greatly appreciate that as I am not great when it comes to local mma.