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Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a regulated hand to hand combat sport played between two athletes trained in the various forms of martial arts. Formally known as "hybrid martial arts", MMA is a blending of several unarmed fighting techniques such as grappling, kicking, and striking, borrowed from Muay Thai, Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kung Fu, boxing, wrestling, stick fighting, kickboxing, Sambo, Vale Tudo, and others.

Hybrid martial arts is traced to the sport of Pankration played at the ancient Olympics, using the various elements of unarmed combat. Such martial arts contests took place throughout Europe, Japan, and the Pacific coastal area in the early twentieth century. While the art and sport of hand to hand combat goes way back, particularly in Japan, the modern western version of MMA is fairly new. Originating from the combat sport of Vale Tudo developed in Brazil in the 1920s, the sport was brought to the US in 1993 with the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a competition to determine the most effective martial art for unarmed combat "situations". The blending of styles gave rise to a new sport known as mixed martial arts.

MMA is believed to help individuals maintain both mental and physical fitness, and improve one's self-confidence and real-life fighting skills. MMA is a discipline believed to be great for all walks of life, and in many areas of life. Whether a person just wants to improve their physical fitness, or learn life-protecting skills, or take on the spirit of a warrior, MMA can offer something for everyone.

An MMA athlete is someone trained in the various forms of martial arts and employs his or her best techniques from those disciplines.