HQ
MMA Headquarters
What disciplines are included?
Wrestling has reigned supreme in the UFC. NCAA wrestlers combined with Olympians who mastered the craft of wrestling have produced more UFC champions than any other fighting discipline. The dominance of wrestling champions has been relatively steady since the UFC began awarding titles in the late-’90s. BJJ is the second most dominant style among UFC champions. In the chart, BJJ does not have any champions for the first couple years, until a surge beginning in 2002. Like wrestling, BJJ fighters can be effective off their back. Being effective from your back and being able to attack the neck, arms, and legs from anywhere is very valuable in MMA. Muay Thai, Boxing and Kickboxing are also very important in the cage as before any takedown or submission action takes place, fighters rely on their fists and legs to earn them the victory. Many traditional martial arts also take place in the octagon shaped cages. From traditional Kung Fu to more modernized Wing Chun Kung Ku are being used by many fighters alongside with traditional Vale Tudo stlye of fighting from Brazil and traditional Judo and many others martial arts are being exhibited. All that comes to in the cage however is the ultimate fighting style of them all.
Cultures' effects on fighting styles
Fighters usually have their own style of fighting and this is mostly due to where they are from. The vast majority of fighters from The US are mainly using wrestling moves to win the fight in the cage as wrestling is very common in the United States. Fighters from Brazil mostly use Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques to win their fights as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is so common in Brazil. Fighters from Asia mostly rely on their Striking techniques as the style of Muay Thai is used so widely around that region among with many traditional martial arts such as Wing Chun Kung Fu and Aikido. In other words, most fighters adopt the fighting style which is common and widely spread in the area that they are training in.