Styles in MMA
MMA inherits techniques from 10distinct martial-arts traditions. Each profile covers the style's origin, primary range, and the fighters who've made it work at championship level.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for MMA
Brazil (Gracie family, 1920s-)
Primary range: Ground
Freestyle Wrestling for MMA
Olympic sport; Soviet/American traditions
Primary range: Grappling
Greco-Roman Wrestling for MMA
Olympic sport; upper-body wrestling discipline
Primary range: Clinch
Folkstyle Wrestling for MMA
NCAA / American collegiate wrestling
Primary range: Grappling
Muay Thai for MMA
Thailand
Primary range: Striking
Boxing for MMA
Western sport; multi-tradition
Primary range: Striking
Karate for MMA
Japan / Okinawa
Primary range: Striking
Sambo for MMA
Soviet Union (1920s-)
Primary range: Mixed
Judo for MMA
Japan (1882-)
Primary range: Grappling
Kickboxing for MMA
Multi-tradition (Dutch, K-1, GLORY)
Primary range: Striking