For those who are only casual MMA fans, it's probable that you are more familiar with UFC than any other MMA group. But there are quite a few other organizations out there promoting MMA bouts, and a few actually are a bit older than UFC. So while UFC might be dominant, there's still a lot more to MMA than just one single organization. Consider the following examples.
Not surprisingly, one of the first true MMA organizations originated in Japan and nearly ten years prior to UFC. Shooto is an organization that promotes shoot wrestling, a fighting style that incorporates some of the same elements you would find in any MMA fighter's arsenal. Several types of wrestling, as well as Judo and Muay Thai are all part of Shoot. While it isn't wildly popular in North America, there is a USA Shooto Association, which is based in Marina del Rey, California.
Another well known Japanese MMA organization is Pancrase, as this group was founded the same year as UFC albeit a few months earlier. The group is named after what was probably the world's first MMA-type sport, Pankration, which was part of the first Olympic Games, more than 2,000 years ago. Pancrase allows both women and men to fight and among the former King of Pancrase title holders, you will find famous MMA names such as Nate Marquardt, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock and Bas Rutten. Josh Barnett is the current Openweight champion of Pancrase.
King of the Cage has been around since 1999 and is still going strong. This California-based organization includes 10 men's division as well as a division for women's junior flyweight. Several KOTC competitors were featured on the reality series "Bully Beatdown," which aired on MTV. Among the notable fighters of KOTC was Joe Camacho, who won the Junior Welterweight Championship in 2008. Camacho died recently of a heart attack at the age of 41.
Like King of the Cage, Bellator doesn't feature a huge roster of big MMA names, but since its inception in 2008, it has featured such names as Cole Konrad, Pat Curran and Alexander Shlemenko, all three of which have earned championship titles. Tito Ortiz is another notable Bellator fighter, although he has yet to fight a Bellator bout. He is, however, in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Women's MMA has come a long way the past few years, and Invicta Fighting Championships is dedicated to sanctioning only women's bouts. With stars such as Cristiane Justino, the sport's No. 2 ranked female fighter, Invicta FC definitely has made its presence known. That's not to say there haven't been some big setbacks. Founding co-partner Janet Martin recently left the company and it wasn't a particularly happy split. Dana White, who finally has realized the potential of women's MMA, opened up a strawweight division in UFC and grabbed 11 of Invicta's top fighters. Still, it's a sign that women are here to stay in MMA.
Not surprisingly, one of the first true MMA organizations originated in Japan and nearly ten years prior to UFC. Shooto is an organization that promotes shoot wrestling, a fighting style that incorporates some of the same elements you would find in any MMA fighter's arsenal. Several types of wrestling, as well as Judo and Muay Thai are all part of Shoot. While it isn't wildly popular in North America, there is a USA Shooto Association, which is based in Marina del Rey, California.
Another well known Japanese MMA organization is Pancrase, as this group was founded the same year as UFC albeit a few months earlier. The group is named after what was probably the world's first MMA-type sport, Pankration, which was part of the first Olympic Games, more than 2,000 years ago. Pancrase allows both women and men to fight and among the former King of Pancrase title holders, you will find famous MMA names such as Nate Marquardt, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock and Bas Rutten. Josh Barnett is the current Openweight champion of Pancrase.
King of the Cage has been around since 1999 and is still going strong. This California-based organization includes 10 men's division as well as a division for women's junior flyweight. Several KOTC competitors were featured on the reality series "Bully Beatdown," which aired on MTV. Among the notable fighters of KOTC was Joe Camacho, who won the Junior Welterweight Championship in 2008. Camacho died recently of a heart attack at the age of 41.
Like King of the Cage, Bellator doesn't feature a huge roster of big MMA names, but since its inception in 2008, it has featured such names as Cole Konrad, Pat Curran and Alexander Shlemenko, all three of which have earned championship titles. Tito Ortiz is another notable Bellator fighter, although he has yet to fight a Bellator bout. He is, however, in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Women's MMA has come a long way the past few years, and Invicta Fighting Championships is dedicated to sanctioning only women's bouts. With stars such as Cristiane Justino, the sport's No. 2 ranked female fighter, Invicta FC definitely has made its presence known. That's not to say there haven't been some big setbacks. Founding co-partner Janet Martin recently left the company and it wasn't a particularly happy split. Dana White, who finally has realized the potential of women's MMA, opened up a strawweight division in UFC and grabbed 11 of Invicta's top fighters. Still, it's a sign that women are here to stay in MMA.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys blogging about mixed martial arts advantages. For further details about an MMA gym in San Diego or to find San Diego jiu jitsu lessons, visit The Arena MMA website now.
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