The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in the United States. Dana White serves as the president of the UFC; Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta control its parent company, Zuffa, LLC.

Inspired by vale tudo competitions in Brazil, the UFC held its first competition in Denver, Colorado in 1993. Showcasing fighters of different proficiencies—including boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and Muay Thai, among others—the UFC sought to identify the most effective martial art in a real fight.

The Best Fighting Styles of the UFC
By Tony James Mills

The most popular MMA competitions today are definitely put on by the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). The UFC championships were originally designed to test different martial arts fighting styles against each other to settle the debate as to which was the best. A debate that has no doubt been going on for hundreds of years. However these days many fighters are now masters of several styles of martial arts and MMA has become almost a fighting style of it's own, combining both stand up and ground fighting. Making the UFC more of a pure test of man against man instead of style against style. Though there is no doubt that this evolution has many advantages and that any smart fighter stepping in the octagon is best versed in a variety of techniques and skills.

Some martial arts and fighting styles have distinguished themselves as constant staples in MMA and the UFC and have proven to have very effective techniques when used in the octagon. How would they really stack up in the street? Well that's a different argument one that isn't likely to be solved unless true gladiator style gruesome battles to the death were made legal. So let's take a look at the most traditional styles seen in MMA today:

• Boxing - Sometimes referred to as the 'Sweet Science'. Boxers utilize quick foot movements and technical punching with the fists.
• Brazilian Jui Jitsu - Developed from the Japanese art by the Gracie family in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil this martial art has proven one of the most influential and successful in MMA competition.
• Judo - Also derived from Japanese Jui Jitsu is well known for it's throws and holds and is one of the few martial arts to be featured in the Olympics.
• Karate - There are several well known forms of karate, with Kenpo being heralded as the first 'Americanized' version of karate.
• Kickboxing - Also one of the more popular styles in the UFC, with many effective techniques for use in MMA tournaments. There are many styles including Muay Thai featuring elbow and knee strikes.
• Wrestling - One of the world's oldest sports. There are a number of wrestling styles including the popular Greco-Roman and Freestyle styles of wrestling that use take downs and throws to subdue opponents without strikes.

Tony Mills is the Chief Editor of online Content for The MMA Zone. Tony is an expert in the field of martial arts training and conditioning.

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