Mixed martial arts

 Mixed martial arts (MMA) is sometimes called cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB),and ultimate fighting, and originally known as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport that is based on striking, grappling and ground combat, which incorporates strategies from different combat sports across the world.The first recorded use of the term mixed martial arts was in a critique of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.The question as to who invented the term is a matter of debate. In the first half of the 20th century, various interstylistic contests took place throughout Japan and in the countries that were part of the Four Asian Tigers. Vale Tudo was a Brazilian sport. The Gracie family promoted it as a way of promoting their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique. The precursor to the modern MMA was the 1976 Ali vs. Inoki exhibition bout (which ended in the draw after 15 rounds), fought between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki in Japan, where it later inspired the foundation of Pancrase in 1993 and the Pride Fighting Championships in 1997.In the 1990s the Gracie family introduced their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tradition, which was that was first created in Brazil from the 1920s, to the United States - which culminated in the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promotion firm in 1993. In the wake of Art Davie's influence and Rorion Gracie's attempts to duplicate Vale Tudo fights in Brazil, the company hosted an event that was essentially no rules. The UFC later adopted the new rules (example elimination of kicks for an opponent who was grounded) which was different from other leagues which were more suited for realistic street-style fights.