UFC Rules, Bout Duration, Ways To Win
on't know what certain terms mean? Check out this extensive "MMA Dictionary"
Achilles Lock or Ankle Lock
A foot lock that exists in many variations where a submission move
applied to the joints in the ankle which causes a compression lock to
the Achilles tendon, or sometimes also to the calf muscle.
Boxing
The skill or sport of fighting with the fists usually with padded
leather gloves. Referred to as the "sweet science," boxers use
elaborate foot maneuvers and quick jabs for offense.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In the mid-1920's, Carlos Gracie opened the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He taught the skills he learned from Japanese
Judo master Esai Maeda. The skills were later modified to use less
strength and to be more effective against larger opponents. Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu's reputation spread due to the success of its practitioners
in no holds barred contests.
Choke
A move blocking the carotid artery in the neck where the flow of blood
is restricted to the brain. Failing to submit or tap out can put the
victim to sleep, or a temporary state of unconsciousness.
Clinch
A position in which two fighters are face to face, usually with their
arms and upper body locked. This can be used to slow action and/or to
protect against strikes. A clinch can also be used for offensive
purposes, throwing effective short punches and/or knees from this
position.
Double-Leg Takedown
A takedown that is accomplished by driving an opponent up and forward
by grabbing both of his legs (or ankles), which leads to both
contestants going to the ground.
Elbow Strike
A fighter throws an elbow intending to strike the opponent with the point of the elbow.
Flying Knee Strike
The fighter jumps up or takes step, springing off one leg and in
mid-air switches to the other knee to strike. (A spectacular sight if
and when it connects).
Free Style Wrestling
Possibly the world's oldest sport. Contestants struggle hand to hand
attempting to throw or take down their opponent without striking blows.
Some of the many styles of wrestling are Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and
catch as catch can.
Grappling
Grappling refers to the gripping, handling and controlling of another
fighter without the use of striking, typically through the application
of various grappling holds and counters to various hold attempts.
Grappling can be used in both a standing position, where it is known as
stand-up grappling, and on the ground, where it is known as ground
grappling.
Greco-Roman Wrestling
Contestants struggle hand to hand attempting to throw or take down
their opponent without striking blows. Some of the many styles of
wrestling are Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and catch as catch can.
Ground and Pound
A fighter has another fighter in a side mount and throws a series of
blows with his forearm and/or fist into his downed opponent's face. It
is a common finishing move.
Guard
A position where a fighter is on his back but is in an advantageous
position. A fighter wraps his legs around the opponent at the hips and
is in position to go for a joint lock or some type of a choke.
Guillotine Choke
A finishing hold where a fighter meets an attacking opponent and then
wraps his forearm around the opponent's neck and applies pressure to
cut off air.
Half Guard
A position where one fighter is on his back and has opponent lying on
top of him. The fighter on the bottom generally has both of his legs
wrapped around one of his opponent's legs.
Heel Hook
A popular and effective submission hold, which is applied to the heel and achieved by twisting the knee at the joint.
Jiu-Jitsu
Ancient Japanese martial art that encompasses throwing, joint locks, striking, and weapons training.
Judo
Sportive Japanese martial art founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Derived
from Jujutsu, Judo is now an Olympic sport that emphasizes throws.
Striking is not allowed in competition Judo.
Karate
Name used to identify many Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. While
known for powerful, linear techniques, many Karate styles also
incorporate softer, circular techniques. Some of the popular styles of
Karate are Kyokushinkai, Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, and Kenpo
which was the first "Americanized" version of Karate.
Kenpo
A category of mixed martial arts that have a basis in Karate that
incorporates Shaolin Kung Fu and/or Kickboxing to make the art more
technically complete. Kenpo is a Japanese word that is the translation
of the Chinese term fist law.
Knee Bar
A submission hold that hyper-extends the leg at the knee.
Knee Strike
Fighter thrusts a pointed knee straight upwards toward the opponent.
Kickboxing
Sportive martial art combining boxing punches and martial arts kicks.
Many different styles with different rules exist such as Muay Thai,
Full Contact Karate, and Asian Rules Fighting.
Kimura
An arm lock similar to a chicken wing often used to end fights named
after Masahiko Kimura, a judo expert who fought in the 1950s.
Kung Fu
Also referred to as Gung Fu, Chinese Boxing, and Wu Shu. There are
hundreds of Kung Fu styles. Many are patterned after the movements of
animals. Some well known styles of Kung Fu are Wing Chun, Praying
Mantis, Pau Kua, Tai-Chi-Ch'uan, and Shuai Chiao.
Leg Lock
A leg lock is a joint lock that is directed at joints of the leg such as the ankle, knee or hip joint.
NHB
An abbreviation that stands for no holds barred. It is a term mistakenly used to refer to mixed martial arts fights.
MMA
An abbreviation for mixed martial arts; it is a combat sport in which
competitors combine martial arts, wrestling and boxing in bouts
normally held in a cage.
Mount
One fighter gets the other flat on his back and then sits on his chest
or stomach, preventing the downed man from getting his legs around him
and moving into the guard position. It is a dominant position for the
man on top, who has the option of using forearms and punches or looking
for a submission.
Muay Thai
A form of kickboxing developed in Thailand. Muay Thai allows low kicks, elbows, and knees and ranks as an elite striking art.
Rear Naked Choke
A type of choke that is applied behind an opponent, capturing his back.
A rear naked choke is the most advantageous type of choke as far as
positioning.
Reversal:
Switching from being in a position that is not advantageous to a superior one.
Roundhouse Kick
A roundhouse kick (also known as a round kick or turning kick) is a
kick in which the fighter swings the leg around in a semicircular
motion, striking with the front of the leg or foot.
Sambo
A Russian martial art that combines elements of wrestling and Japanese
Judo. Sambo is known for its submission holds, especially on the legs.
Side Mount
A position where a fighter is laying on his back and the opponent is
perpendicular, lying across his chest. It is a very advantageous
position for the top fighter and is a spot from which many fights end
with the fighter on top throwing forearms or punches.
Single-Leg Takedown
A takedown that is accomplished by driving an opponent up and forward
by grabbing one of his legs (or ankles), which leads to both
contestants going to the ground.
Southpaw
A left-handed fighter.
Standup
When a fighter goes into a boxing stance and prefers to throw punches at his opponent.
Striking
The act of a fighter hitting an opponent using an arm, hand, elbow, foot, leg, or knee.
Tae Kwon Do
One of the most practiced martial arts in the world, Tae Kwon Do is a
Korean style known for its flashy kicking techniques. Tap or tap-out: A
manner of ending a match in which the losing fighter concedes defeat.
He either verbally concedes to the referee or taps on the mat or on his
opponent's back to signify his surrender.
Take Down
The act of putting your opponent to the floor via tackle, sweep, Greco-throw, or other technique, typically involving the legs.
Tap Out
An act of submission where fighter gives up due to being captured in a
submission hold or enduring continual striking. The fighter physically
taps the mat to signal to an opponent and/or the referee to avoid going
unconscious or bodily harm.
Triangle Choke
A type of chokehold that can be done with either the legs or the arms
but is primarily used with the legs. It is often used by a fighter from
his guard. The fighter on the bottom wraps his legs around his
opponent's neck in a triangular manner and cuts off the opponent's air.
It is often more effective when the head is pulled down.
Vale Tudo
Portuguese for "anything goes." This term is made in reference to the "no holds barred" fighting that began in Brazil.
Wrestling
Contestants struggle hand to hand attempting to throw or take down their opponent without striking blows.
