Ever since its inception, MMA has had its ups and downs, but it has ultimately continued to evolve and grow. MMA is a competitive sport with an exciting and unpredictable presentation; even so, is it a sport?

Is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) a Sport?

Critics may argue that MMA is more of an entertainment show than a sport. In this regard, the WWE is probably the best example of what people compare and contrast. One could argue that the WWE fits the above description, but the "competes" part is murky. The distinction between MMA and pro wrestling is that MMA is neither scripted nor fabricated. WWE wrestlers are certainly skilled and athletic, and they do face serious danger in their line of work, but it is not a competitive sport when the outcome is already known.

MMA VS Pro wrestling

The simple truth that MMA is defined as just a sport is helped by the fact that the laws and regulations ensure a fair competition, which is overseen by a referee and three judges. Strict drug testing and other precautionary measures are also implemented for each athlete. The fact that MMA is a major activity all over the world certainly helps to legitimize it. American football is huge in the United States, but not so much elsewhere. MMA may be more popular in other countries than in the United States. Brazil and Canada both are MMA Meccas, and companies like the UFC are constantly expanding their reach.

MMA is a major activity all over the world

The beginning of time

The ancient Greeks' most popular sport was probably wrestling.

Wrestling is the oldest and most commonly practiced sport, with several regional variations that have survived to the present day.Wrestling is thought to have evolved from hand-to-hand fighting, namely as a sport in which a contestant's submission replaces his death. Belt wrestling is depicted in art from 3000 BCE in Babylonia and Egypt, and it is described in the Sumerian Gilgamesh epic. Loose wrestling has been practiced in India from before 1500 BCE. Chinese writings from 700 BCE and Japanese records from the 1st century BCE both mention loose wrestling. Belt wrestling as practiced by the Swiss, Icelanders, Japanese, and Cossacks in the twentieth century was very similar to that of the Egyptians in 2500 BCE.

History

Ancient Egyptian wrestling scenes in tomb 15 (Baqet III) in detail On an Ancient Greek relief of the pentathlon from 500 BC, Beni Hasan wrestlers take center stage. A sprinter is in the starting position on the left, and a javelin thrower is adjusting his grip on the right.Wrestling is one of the most ancient forms of conflict. Wrestling dates back 15,000 years, according to cave drawings.

EgyptianWrestlers are depicted in reliefs using the majority of the holds currently used in the sport. It is mentioned in literature as far back as the Old Testament and the ancient Indian Vedas]. Patriarch Jacob is supposed to have wrestled with God or an angel in the Book of Genesis.Wrestling is mentioned in Homer's Iliad, which describes the Trojan War of the 13th or 12th century BC.