Download top and best high-quality free Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) PNG Transparent Images backgrounds available in various sizes. To view the full PNG size resolution click on any of the below image thumbnail.

License Info: Creative Commons 4.0 BY-NC

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. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.

Mixed gender: Yes, separate male and female events
Highest governing body: International Mixed Martial Arts Federation
Contact: Full contact
Olympic: not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Venue: Cage, ring, sandpit

The popularity of mixed martial arts contests like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) has soared exponentially over the last decade. However, some may still wonder just exactly what mixed martial arts is. Well, to a certain extent it’s just what its name implies. It is the combining of different martial arts and the incorporation of those techniques into one’s repertoire of fighting skills.

If mixed martial arts (MMA) is so popular, then why hasn’t it been done before. Actually, it has been done before. The ancient Greek Olympics had a sport known as pankration which involved grappling and striking and had no rules. Pankration means “all powerful.” pankration was the no-holds-barred (NHB) fighting of its day.

Vale tudo contests were popular in Brazil during the twentieth century. Vale tudo also had a limited number of rules. Vale tudo means “anything goes” in Portuguese. Vale tudo contests are probably the nearest descendant to the UFC.

As you can see, MMA is not exactly new. But, it’s been perfected and polished to a high degree over the last few decades. When the UFC first began, it was merely a contest to see which martial arts discipline was superior. The Gracie family of Brazil believed that their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was the best. And, to some extent they proved that it was.

<2h>Primitive Mixed Martial Arts

The legendary Bruce Lee recognized that traditional martial arts had their limits and weren’t always practical in real world situations. Bruce Lee studied and critiqued many traditional forms. Lee’s approach to martial arts and his emphasis on practicality makes him a forerunner of mixed martial arts. “Judo” Gene LeBell defeated boxer Milo Savage in 1963 with a lapel choke in one of the first MMA type contests. In addition, Muhammad Ali fought Antonio Inoki to a draw in 1976 in what would be considered a primitive MMA contest.

Download Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) PNG images transparent gallery.