Combat Sports for Beginners: What are the different types ?

As the name suggests, Combat Sport is a sport of contact where two combatants fight against each other. In general, the techniques used in such bouts are divided into three sections - Striking, Grappling & Weapon Usage. Let's take a look at some of the common sports for combat:

What are the different types of Combat Sports?

MMA - Mixed Martial Arts is a full-contact combat sport that incorporates techniques from various combat sports and martial arts from around the world based on striking, grappling, and ground combat. Inside a cage, MMA bouts take place and are therefore also referred to as cage fighting. A referee supervises the MMA bouts. Either a knockout or submission is the most common way to decide the winner of an MMA bout.

Boxing - In a boxing ring, boxing bouts occur over a fixed amount of time. Referees oversee boxing bouts. Boxing bouts consist of a set of rounds of one-to-three-minute intervals. In situations where an opponent is unable to continue, disqualification of an opponent, or resignation of an opponent, the referee can decide a winner before the completion of the rounds. If both of the opponents are still standing at the end of the final round the judge's scorecards will judge the winner. If equal scores are received by both boxers, the bout is called a draw. But in Olympic boxing, as the winner must be announced, the winner will be declared on technical criteria.

Wrestling - A wrestling match is a physical battle between two rivals or sparring partners who strive to achieve a superior position and retain it. Wrestling requires wrestling tactics such as clinch combat, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other holds of grappling. Wrestling tactics as well as military hand-to-hand fighting systems have been introduced into other martial arts.

Judo - Judo is commonly classified as a modern martial art with its origins originating from jujutsu, the competitive aspect is the most popular characteristic of judo, where the aim is either to throw or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue an opponent with a pin, or compel an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke. Hand and foot attacks and thrusts as well as weapons defenses are part of judo, but only in pre-arranged ways and are not permitted to participate in judo or in free practice.

Fencing - A category of three linked fighting sports is fencing. In modern fencing, the three disciplines are the foil, the épée, and the sabre. There are three types of modern fencing, each of which uses a different type of weapon and has different rules; thus the sport itself is divided into three competitive scenes: foil, épée, and sabre. Winning points are made by the interaction of the weapon with an opponent. Many competitive fencers decide to specialize in just one arm. One of the first events to be played at the Olympics was fencing.

Kickboxing - Kickboxing is a kick and punch-based stand-up fighting sport, traditionally derived from karate combined with boxing. Kickboxing is practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or as a contact sport. Kickboxing is a hybrid martial art developed from the fusion of elements of different traditional styles.

Muay Thai - Muay Thai uses stand-up striking along with different strategies for clinching. As it is distinguished by the integrated use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins, this discipline is known as the art of eight limbs. Muay Thai is linked to styles of martial art in the Indian cultural sphere. A Muay Thai practitioner is referred to as a Nak Muay.

Taekwondo - Taekwondo is distinguished by its focus on head-height kicks, jumping spinning kicks, and techniques for rapid kicking. For attacks that include spinning punches, kicks to the head, or both, World Taekwondo sparring competitions grant extra points. Taekwondo typically adopts stances that are narrower and taller to facilitate fast, turning kicks. It is assumed that the tradeoff of reduced stability is worth the commensurate increase in agility.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art of self-defence focused on wrestling, ground combat, and submission. It focuses on the ability to take an opponent to the ground, dominate one's opponent, establish a dominant position, and use a variety of methods to compel them through joint locks or chokeholds to submit. If you are a beginner, it would be good if you can try out some basic BJJ moves. BJJ ranking and grading system gives you an idea on the progression as well if you are starting the sport. 

Sumo - Sumo wrestling is a type of full-contact competitive wrestling where a rikishi (wrestler) tries to force his opponent out of a circular ring or to hit the ground, usually by tossing, shoving, or pressing him down, with any body part other than the soles of his feet.

Irrespective of which type of Sports you are in, make sure that you are using proper equipment like Mouthguards, Gloves, and Wraps among others. You should also give importance to Strength Training for Combat Sports if you are planning to make a career in fighting. 

Which of the above Fighting Sports would you like to try out if given a chance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Content Courtesy: Wikipedia

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