What Is MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)?
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows striking and grappling, both standing and, on the ground, using techniques from various combat sports and martial arts. Howard Rosenberg coined the phrase Mixed Martial Arts during a review of UFC1 in 1993 (Which is debated). During the early 20th century, several events took place in Japan where practitioners of various martial arts would combine training and test their skills. Brazil began doing similar events called Vale Tudo, which had little or no rules. The Gracie family was a major proponent of Vale Tudo matches. The Gracie family developed their own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style. 1951 Hélio Gracie was defeated by judoka Masahiko Kimura.
Combining elements of multiple martial arts was popularized by Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do during the late 1960s to early 1970s. A precursor to modern MMA was the 1976 Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki bout, fought between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki in Japan, where it later inspired the foundation of Pancrase in 1993 and Pride Fighting Championships in 1997.
Basically “MMA” or Mixed Martial Arts is combining more than one fighting style (which does include grappling)