UFC Primer: A Practical Guide for MMA Fight Newbies

I'll admit it. I've only recently started watching UFC matches and The Ultimate Fighter show in the last couple of years. Normally the sight of two sweaty men writhing around on a floor sent me running out of the room. But now, both the matches and the show have been compelling. So, slowly I've begun to understand this thing called MMA or mixed martial arts.

We will be discussing some basic terms used in the course of a UFC match. I'm coming at you with the disclaimer that I am most certainly NOT a MMA practitioner. I have, however, studied a traditional martial art for a number of years. We are strikers and our game is most definitely stand up. That being said, I can apply my training to what you and I are seeing on the screen. If I'm completely wrong about something then give me some feedback. My glass is always empty, ready to be filled. Preferably with beer! So, tape up your hands and check your cup, we're going into the Octagon to settle a score. Here are the terms.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu -- This is the MMA de-facto martial art. It *is* "mixed martial art" but Brazilian jiujitsu, invented and perfected by Carlos and Helio Gracie most typifies the tactics and strategy of most of the action in the ground game of UFC. It helps that the tour de force that was and is the Gracie's helped to turn the UFC from a curiosity to a full-fledged sporting juggernaut.

Ground and Pound -- Take your opponent down to the ground and pound the living daylights out of him with your fists and/or elbows. If that doesn't work, put a submission hold/technique on him. He'll be tapping soon enough.

Submission -- Defeat your opponent using any type of move that involves a hold of some kind or a choke. No punching or kicking here.

Tap Out -- You just said "Uncle!" Game over man. Tap whatever is convenient to tap so that the referee will stop the pain!

Pass Out -- Go off to the land of make believe. A lot of fighters will refuse to tap out and just take it like a man. No tappity tap tap here. Just lay back and dream of your next fight against a chump. Maybe you'll finally earn your 5 G's!

Arm Bar -- There are various ways to hyper-extend the joints in your opponent's arm. Once you have control in one way or another, tap out is pretty much guaranteed.

Circle -- Try to move around your opponent in either a clockwise or counter clockwise circle. If all goes right, you are dictating the action and your opponent is just following your lead, matching you step by step, pivoting around and around. Ring savvy opponents will either try to counter your circle by circling you or just outright going in for some kind of attack. Either way, you should know what's coming since you started the whole circling thing in the first place! This is one of your basic skills in the "stand up" game.

Shoot -- Charge your opponent and lower your body. Put your shoulder into his hip. Think a nice clean NFL tackle. Keep driving your weight into him and either push him down to the ground or while you're there, grab a leg and pull him off balance slamming him to the ground. Now it's pounding or submission time! Of course, you are also putting yourself into harm's way since you could charge right into a knee strike, elbow strike or some kind of a grab/hook/guillitine move. Just be careful and aggressive at the same time. Some guys like to slam their opponents against the walls of the octagon. Go for it, it's legal!

Sprawl -- This is the main defense against the shoot. If you don't want to be the one slammed to the ground first, you're going to spread your arms out and legs back and away from your opponent's grab. Balance yourself on top of your opponent. Almost as though you're diving. All your weight will be on top of the shooter. He'll be going after your hip either pushing you back or picking you up and slamming you down. You are trying to drive your hip over the top of his shoulder. You're going to try to attack from here. Elbows, knees, and under-hooks which we'll cover below.

Guard -- You are on your back and your legs are wrapped around your opponent's waist. Feet are locked together. This seems like a weak position but there are a number of grabs and submissions to be moved into from here. You can also disturb your opponent's balance by rocking your legs from side to side.

Half Guard -- You're still on your back... but you've only got one of your opponent's legs wrapped with your own or in your guard. This will lead to various leg and foot locks. You can also try to get back to the full guard above which is a typical strategy.

Pass the Guard -- You are in someone's guard. Shame on you! Try to get out and get fully on top of your opponent or on their side. You'll then lay some elbow smack down on him or try to get a lock/submission of some sort.

Under Hook -- Bring your arm under your opponent's arm. Clinch and control either his upper body or waist so he can't use that arm on you. Timing is important here because you may find your arm trapped underneath his!

Rear Naked Choke -- The Grand Poobah of finishing moves in the UFC. You are sitting directly behind your opponent and your legs are wrapped around his midsection. One of your arms is wrapped around your opponent's neck. The hand of that arm grabs the bicep of your other arm. The you apply a bit of pressure and it's Tap Out City for your opponent. Or they just pass out if they want to tough it out. Escape from this move is rare but it happens.

That's it. You're now ready to have a seat and understand what the heck is going on during a typical MMA/UFC match. Now... Let's Git It ON!