The Basic Rules of Mixed Martial Arts Fighting

While the competition rules of the various mixed martial arts organizations differ widely, some standard rules have been developed to help give the sport more consistency and to prevent competitors from sustaining serious injury. Previously, the popular public perception of mixed martial arts fighting was that it was "barbaric, anything goes fights to the death". The implementation of standardized rules was also done in an attempt to dispel the public's negative perception of the sport. Promotion and advertising is also easier when sponsors no longer feel that they are backing "street brawlers" but proper fighters instead.

One of the very first rules developed for mixed martial arts competitions were weight classes. After the implementation of tournaments, more and more fighters began learning how to use submission

holds and these moves became extremely popular. Submissions techniques are heavily dependent on weight differences, however, so this became a point of contention when one fighter grossly outweighed the other. Today, the various definitions for individual weight classes still vary from one organization to the next.

Mixed martial arts tournaments have also banned fighters from using the head butt when competing. In competitions, unlike during sparring sessions, fighters do not wear protective head gear, and head butts can result in fighters becoming bloodied and even suffering from brain trauma. This is a common move in the world of wrestling, where it can be used to quickly turn the tide of a match.

The hands of fighters who are relatively new to the sport of mixed martial arts fighting will not have been adequately conditioned to withstand the impact from punching yet, and fighters are allowed to wear small, open-fingered gloves that protect their knuckles from injury and the rest of their hands from cuts. This also encourages striking with an open hand, creating a tone of complete strike and defense in every match.

Thanks to their fitness and conditioning, mixed martial arts fighters have a lot of stamina, which translated into very lengthy bouts. Often, the audience would tire of a fight long before the fighters themselves did. In order to address this problem, time limits were put in place to restrict fights to reasonable lengths. Also, any fighter lying on the ground who appears to be simply resting is subject to the "stand up rule", where referees are allowed to bring them to their feet.

The United States state athletic and boxing commissions are now cooperating to finalize the rules for mixed martial arts fighting competitions. Amateur bouts especially will be subject to stricter rules to ensure the safety of inexperienced fighters. Over time, more rules will be created that will allow fighters to move from one organization to another with greater ease.

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