TERM

DEFINITION

Armbar

A lock in which the arm is straightened hyper extending the elbow.  In MMA this is most often done by trapping the arm between the legs and extending the hips upward.

Body Slam

When one fighter picks up the other fighter and throws them to the ground.

Boxing

The skill or sport of fighting with the fists usually with padded leather gloves.  Referred to as the "sweet science", boxers use elaborate foot maneuvers and quick jabs for offense.

BJJ

An abbreviation for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In the mid-1920's, Carlos Gracie opened the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  He taught the skills he learned from Japanese Judo master Esai Maeda.  The skills were later modified to use less strength and to be more effective against larger opponents.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's reputation spread due to the success of its practitioners in no holds barred contests.

Butterfly Guard

An open guard position where the feet are hooked on the inside of the fighter's legs.

Choke

A submission hold applied to the neck that restricts air flow, blood flow, or both.  A choke is designed to cause the other fighter to tap out or be choked out.

Choke Out

When a fighter is choked until he loses consciousness.

Closed Guard

When a fighter holds an opponent in his guard by interlocking his feet behind the opponent.

Cut Man

Person responsible for preventing and treating physical damage to a fighter during the breaks between rounds of a full contact match.

Decision

The judges’ conclusion and ruling with respect to the end result of the fight match.

Dirty Boxing

This is in close boxing from a clenched position.  In traditional boxing, fighters would be separated from this position, but in MMA they are allowed to fight from the clench.

Double Leg Takedown

A takedown similar to a football tackle.  A fighter lowers his head and hooks both legs with his arms and applies pressure to the defender's body driving the fighter to the ground.

Escape

Where a fighter escapes from a submission or choke hold.

Flying Knee

A jumping knee strike designed to penetrate the opponent's defense.

Foul

Not according to the rules of the game; unfair, by either accident or intention.

Freestyle Wrestling

Possibly the world's oldest sport.  Contestants struggle hand to hand attempting to throw or take down their opponent without striking blows.  Some of the many styles of wrestling are Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and catch as catch can.

Front Mount

A mount position in which the top fighter is squared to the bottom fighter with his legs straddling the bottom fighter.

Grappling

To seize another, or each other, in a firm grip, as in wrestling clinch.

Ground & Pound

This is a strategy first employed by wrestlers with limited submission skills.  It consists of taking a fighter to the ground, placing them in an inferior position, and striking them until they are knocked out, tap out, can be submitted or the match is stopped.

Guard

A semi-defensive position in which a fighter on his back keeps his opponent between his legs.

Guard Pass

A technique used by one fighter in another fighter's guard to move into a mount position.

Guillotine Choke

A choke applied in a reverse headlock position where the forearm is used in an upward manner to apply pressure to the fighter's neck.

Half Guard

A guard position in which only one of the opponent's legs are held between the grounded fighter's legs.

Hook Punch

A punch with the arm bent that is thrown across the body to strike the opponent from the side.

Hooks In

When a fighter has a rear mount and locks his feet between the legs of the mounted fighter, he is said to have his "hooks in."  This prevents the mounted fighter from turning into his opponent to improve his position.

Illegal Techniques

Techniques such as eye gouging and crotch striking are considered illegal.  An opponent will usually be disqualified for using illegal techniques.

Jab

A lead hand strike used to stun a fighter.

Jiu Jitsu

Ancient Japanese martial art that encompasses throwing, joint locks, striking, and weapons training.

Judo

Sportive Japanese martial art founded in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Derived from Jujutsu, Judo is now an Olympic sport that emphasizes throws. Striking is not allowed in competition Judo.

Karate

Name used to identify many Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. While known for powerful, linear techniques, many Karate styles also incorporate softer, circular techniques. Some of the popular styles of Karate are Kyokushinkai, Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, and Kenpo which was the first "Americanized" version of Karate.

Kesa-Getami

A control position similar to a side mount except the top fighter's body is turned more towards the bottom fighter and the top fighter's arm is wrapped around the bottom fighter's head.

Keylock

An arm-lock applied by the fighter on top where the bottom fighter's arm is bent at a 90° angle, the wrist is held while the other arm wraps underneath and is lifted to apply pressure to the shoulder.

Kickboxing

Sportive martial art combining boxing punches and martial arts kicks.  Many different styles with different rules exist such as Muay Thai, Full Contact Karate, and Asian Rules Fighting.

Kimura

An arm-lock position in which the arm is bent behind the fighter leading to an arm break or shoulder dislocation if the fighter doesn't tap out.  Named after the Japanese fighter, Masahiko Kimura.

Knock Out

When a fighter is knocked unconscious due to strikes or other impact.

Kung Fu

Also referred to as Gung Fu, Chinese Boxing, and Wu Shu. There are hundreds of Kung Fu styles. Many are patterned after the movements of animals. Some well known styles of Kung Fu are Wing Chun, Praying Mantis, Pau Kua, Tai-Chi-Ch'uan, and Shuai Chiao.

Liver Shot

A combination between a hook punch and an uppercut thrown to the right side of an opponent designed to strike where the liver is.  A very painful punch.

Mount

A control position in which one fighter is on top of another fighter

Muay Thai Clinch

This is a clinch position taken from Muay Thai boxing where a fighter will grab his opponent behind the head with both hands using his elbows to create distance and apply knee strikes to his opponent.

Octagon / Cage

An octagonal shaped ring in which mixed martial artists compete.  Often referred to as a Cage.

Omoplata

A Kimura lock using the leg to trap the fighter's arm instead of the arm.

Open Guard

A guard position in which the feet are not interlocked.

Overhand Punch

A haymaker style punch that swings up and over.  It is very powerful and has been very effective.

Point Penalty

The punishment, handicap, or loss of advantage imposed on a fight opponent or competitor for infraction of a rule. Usually at least one point is removed from opponent’s score.

Rear Mount

A mount position in which the bottom fighter has his back turned to the top fighter.

Reversal

When a fighter moves from an inferior position to a superior position.

Reverse Mount

A mount position in which the fighters' heads are facing in opposite directions.  Also known as a North/South mount.

Rubber Guard

This is a guard in which the bottom fighter brings one leg high up on the top fighter's back and hooks the leg under their own arm.  It controls the top fighter while freeing up one arm for the bottom fighter to attack.

Scissor Takedown

A takedown where one fighter places his legs on either side of a standing fighter and uses a twisting motion to trip the standing fighter with his legs.

Side Mount

When one fighter is on top of another and their heads are at 90° from each other, also known as a side control.

Single Leg Takedown

Similar to a double leg takedown except only one leg is hooked.

Sprawl

A take down defense where a fighter spreads his legs away from the attacking fighter and applies his weight to the fighter's back in an effort to deny access to his legs and attain a superior position.

Stand-Up Rule

This is where the referee can stand fighters up if it is perceived both are resting on the ground or are not advancing toward a dominant position.

Straight Punch

A reverse hand punch that flies straight towards its target.

Superman Punch

An overhead punch in which the fighter leaps at his opponent in an attempt to avoid his defense.

Tae Kwon-Do

A Korean military martial art style known for its flexibility and flashy kicking techniques.  Tae Kwon-Do is one of the most practiced martial arts in the world.

Tap Out

A method in which a fighter submits to his opponent by tapping his opponent, himself or the mat.  Verbal tap outs are also allowed.

Technical Knock Out

When a fighter is unable to continue, usually due to injury.

Triangle Choke

This choke can be applied with either the legs or the arms.  Using the arms, the choking fighter drives his shoulder into the armpit of the defending fighter and wraps his arm around the neck grabbing his own hand, arm or head to create pressure.  Using the legs, the attacker places the defender's neck in the crux of his knee while the other leg comes up under the defender's opposite arm.  The foot is hooked under the crux of the other knee and the hips are raised while the defender's head is pulled down to create pressure.

Upa

A roll in which a mounted fighter reverses position ending in the guard of the other fighter.

Uppercut Punch

A bent arm punch where the punch is thrown straight up.

Wrestling

Possibly the world's oldest sport. Contestants struggle hand to hand attempting to throw or take down their opponent without striking blows. Some of the many styles of wrestling are Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and catch as catch can.