MMA live

MMA – rules, weight categories

MMA is an abbreviation for Mixed Martial Arts, which is a combat sport that combines various fighting styles - all techniques and strikes are allowed (of course, those without the use of weapons). The term MMA was first used in 1993, during a UFC event. Previously, this sport was usually referred to as vale tudo, a name that originated from tournaments organized in Latin America since the 1920s (vale tudo tournaments are still held, with fewer restrictions and rules, MMA organizations distance themselves from them and these fights are not classified as a sport), or NHB (No Holds Barred). The development of MMA is a phenomenon of the 21st century - TV stations started broadcasting MMA events, and the UFC organization acquired the rights from the competing Japanese PRIDE FC. Currently, UFC is the most serious and influential MMA organization in the world (its biggest competitors are One Championship and Bellator). 

Although MMA is said to allow "all techniques", this is not entirely true - the sport also focuses on entertainment and safety. Fighters can compete standing up or on the ground. Allowed techniques include throws, punches, kicks, chokes, and joint locks. However, biting, eye gouging, headbutting, strikes to the groin, eyes, throat, spine, throwing an opponent on their head, and finger manipulation are not allowed. A fight can be won by knockout, technical knockout, submission, or by judges' decision (which can result in a draw in certain circumstances). Fights take place in an octagon (an eight-sided ring, a trademark of the UFC), or in a regular boxing ring (which may be enclosed by a cage, creating a "cage"). Fighters are required to wear gloves (different from boxing gloves, thinner to allow grappling) and mouthguards. Fighters are divided into weight categories, although they are not standardized in MMA - each organization may have its own rules in this regard. The most common weight categories are flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. Other commonly seen categories are atomweight, strawweight, and super heavyweight.

The most important MMA events in the world

MMA galas are cyclical sports events organized by various organizations. The most prestigious ones are labeled with consecutive numbers. During the event, you can watch several fights, with the best fighters competing in the final (fight of the night), often deciding championship titles. The most famous are the UFC events, where the most renowned fighters compete. Practically all other federations' events are modeled after them. There have been close to 700 UFC events, including UFC Fight Night and numbered events. Similar events are organized by Bellator, the Singaporean organization One Championship, the Polish KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki), and the British Cage Warriors.

MMA vs boxing – what are the differences?

Both boxing and MMA fights take place in the ring (although they may differ in shape and padding), and they both involve delivering as many strikes as possible to the opponent, with similar decisions being made by the judges regarding the outcome of the fight. However, there are of course many differences, as in MMA many techniques from other martial arts are allowed - such as kickboxing, wrestling, judo, sambo, jiu-jitsu, karate, and even more exotic ones like muay thai (highly promoted by One Championship). Fighters strive to be versatile - although boxing training is usually the foundation - but most of them still prefer one of the styles: they can be so-called "ground fighters", "wrestlers" or "strikers". The fights themselves are also shorter, especially compared to professional boxing: typically 3 rounds of up to 5 minutes in less important fights and 5 rounds of 5 minutes in title fights. In boxing, we have fixed weight categories, while in MMA we do not, and the sports equipment is slightly different (gloves mentioned earlier).

MMA live

Individual organizations have signed contracts with various television stations, a permanent element of broadcasting live MMA events is the PPV system - single tickets are available, but also various packages (so-called "passes") entitling you to watch the coverage for a certain period of time. For the exact schedule of live broadcasts from a particular event, it is best to look on our website.