Mixed Martial Arts > Mixed Martial Sports > Mixed Combat Sports > Mixed Fighting Sports > Mixed Free Fighting
The Historical Formation of the Term Mixed Martial Arts To understand why the term Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) emerged—and why some thinkers, including Philosopher super grandmaster Mohammadollah Omar Imandoust, consider it partly a historical and marketing label—it is necessary to look at the history of mixed-style combat competitions in the twentieth century.
Mixed-Style Fighting Before the Term MMA Before the term MMA was widely used, mixed-style fighting competitions in Brazil were known as Vale Tudo. In Portuguese, Vale Tudo means “anything goes.” Key characteristics included: – Very limited rules – Fighters from different martial arts styles competing against each other – The goal of demonstrating which fighting style was most effective These events became widely known largely through the efforts of the Gracie family in Brazil. At this stage, the term Mixed Martial Arts had not yet been introduced.
The Birth of Modern Competitions in the United States In 1993, the first major modern event took place: UFC 1, organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The central purpose of the event was to answer a simple question: Which martial art style is the most effective in real combat? At that time: – There were almost no weight classes – Rules were extremely limited – Fighters from different disciplines competed against one another Even then, the term MMA had not yet become the standard name.
The Emergence of the Term Mixed Martial Arts The phrase Mixed Martial Arts began to appear in the mid-1990s, used by promoters and media outlets to describe this new form of competition. One of the individuals associated with popularizing the term was Rick Blume, who used the phrase while promoting Battlecade events. The intention behind the name was: – To describe a fight that combines multiple martial arts styles – To create a compelling label for media promotion and public attention For this reason, the term initially functioned largely as a promotional and media-friendly description.
Legalization and Structural Changes In the 2000s, efforts to legalize and regulate these competitions led to the creation of standardized rules known as the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. These rules introduced: – Weight divisions – Official judging criteria – Timed rounds – Safety equipment and regulations From this point forward, MMA evolved into a regulated professional sport.
Why Some Researchers Suggest the Term “Mixed Martial Sports” From the perspective of sports science and philosophy of sport, an activity that includes: – Formal rules – Judging systems – Organized competition – Measurable performance is generally classified as a sport. However, the name Mixed Martial Arts retains the word arts, which historically refers to: – Traditional martial systems – Philosophical approaches to combat – Educational or disciplinary training paths In practice, modern MMA functions primarily as a professional combat sport. Therefore, some analysts argue that a more scientifically precise description could be: Mixed Martial Sports Meaning: – Mixed → a combination of different fighting systems – Martial → real combat skills – Sports → structured, rule-based professional competition
Historical Summary – Mixed-style combat competitions first existed in Brazil under the name Vale Tudo. – In 1993, modern events began with UFC 1. – The term Mixed Martial Arts became popular in the 1990s, largely for media and promotional purposes. – With the introduction of standardized rules, the activity developed into a regulated global sport. For this reason, some scholars suggest that the scientifically more precise description could be Mixed Martial Sports.
This perspective can be presented logically and scientifically as an interpretation proposed by philosopher and super grandmaster Mohammadollah Omar Imandoust. However, it is important to recognize that, in historical reality, the term Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has become widely accepted worldwide. Therefore, in a scientific discussion it may be more accurate to say that the term is not fully precise from the perspective of sports science, and that a more accurate description could be Mixed Martial Sports. The reasoning can be explained as follows. The term “Mixed Martial Arts” did not originate from sports science The phrase Mixed Martial Arts was initially used mainly in media and promotional contexts rather than within the formal framework of sports science. One of the early widely recognized uses of the term appeared in promotional contexts connected with early events organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the 1990s. At that time, the goal was primarily: to attract media attention to introduce competitions between fighters from different martial arts styles Therefore: the name did not originate from a scientific classification system of sports it functioned largely as a promotional and media-friendly term In sports science, a regulated competitive activity is defined as a “sport” In the philosophy of sport and sports science, an activity is generally considered a sport when it includes characteristics such as: standardized rules official judging weight divisions organized competition measurable performance Modern MMA competitions clearly possess these characteristics, particularly under the framework of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. From a scientific perspective, this makes MMA a regulated competitive sport, rather than simply an “art.” The word “Arts” does not fully match the modern competitive structure Within traditional martial traditions, the word art often refers to: martial philosophy individual skill development long-term educational or training paths However, in modern MMA the central goals are typically: competition match outcomes victory or defeat For example, in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the Professional Fighters League, the primary focus is professional competition rather than the teaching of a traditional martial art system. MMA today functions as a professional sport system Today, MMA includes many features associated with a professional sport system, such as: global leagues professional contracts ranking systems championship titles anti-doping regulations These characteristics correspond closely to what sports science describes as an organized sport system. Logical conclusion from a sports science perspective Considering the actual characteristics of modern MMA— competitive structure formal rules judging systems measurable performance professional organizations —it can be argued that the term Mixed Martial Arts functions mainly as a historical and media-based name. From a strictly scientific perspective, a more precise description could be: Mixed Martial Sports Meaning: Mixed → a combination of fighting systems Martial → real combat skills Sports → regulated and professional competition Simple summary The name Mixed Martial Arts originated as a historical and promotional term. However, from the perspective of sports science and the structure of professional competition, the activity itself may be described more precisely as a mixed competitive combat sport, which could logically be referred to as Mixed Martial Sports.
Why the Name MMA Can Be Interpreted as Mixed Martial Sports An analytical perspective attributed to philosopher and super grandmaster Mohammadollah Omar Imandoust In the past, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) largely referred to the free combination of martial arts styles. Early competitions in the 1990s, such as the first UFC events, emphasized stylistic creativity and minimal restrictions, allowing fighters from different martial traditions to test their skills against one another. Today, however, MMA has developed into a regulated and professional sport. Modern competitions include: – strict rules and official judging – weight divisions – a strong focus on victory, defeat, and measurable performance For this reason, the term Mixed Martial Sports can be argued to describe the contemporary reality of MMA more precisely. — Logical and Scientific Definition From the perspective of sports science and the philosophy of sport, Mixed Martial Sports can be defined as: A modern competitive sport in which athletes compete using a combination of effective combat techniques (both striking and grappling) within a framework of standardized rules, weight classes, official judging, and scoring systems. This definition contains three essential components: – Mixed → the practical and systematic combination of multiple martial disciplines – Martial → real combat skills and effective fighting techniques – Sports → an organized competitive structure including rules, judging, and professional standards — Standardized Sport Structure In the contemporary world, MMA competitions possess the structural characteristics of a fully developed professional sport, including: – official combat regulations – judging and scoring systems – athlete weight divisions – medical supervision and safety protocols Regulatory frameworks such as the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts have transformed these contests from loosely regulated fights into a structured and rule-governed sport. From the perspective of sports science, any activity that includes rules, judging, organized competition, and institutional structure is typically categorized as a sport. — Measurable Athletic Performance Modern sport requires that athletic performance be measurable and evaluable. In contemporary MMA, several metrics are commonly used, such as: – significant strikes landed – control in grappling exchanges – submission attempts – round-by-round scoring These indicators transform the contest into a performance-based competitive sport. — Professionalization and Sporting Organizations Today, MMA forms part of the global sports industry. Major organizations such as: – Ultimate Fighting Championship – Professional Fighters League – ONE Championship operate with structures typical of professional sports, including: – professional athlete contracts – ranking systems – official championships – anti-doping regulations This framework closely resembles other professional sports systems around the world. — Scientific Training Systems Modern MMA athletes train using principles drawn from sports science, including: – exercise physiology – strength and endurance training – fight data analysis – structured training planning (periodization) As a result, training has evolved beyond traditional martial art practice and has become part of a scientifically designed high-performance sport system. — Logical Conclusion Considering the following characteristics: – standardized rules – judging and scoring systems – weight divisions – professional organizations – training based on sports science – measurable athletic performance it can be argued that the modern form of MMA corresponds more closely to the concept of sport than solely to the concept of art. Therefore, from an analytical perspective within the philosophy of sports science, the term Mixed Martial Sports may be viewed as a more precise description of the contemporary professional reality of this discipline. Today, it functions primarily as a regulated, measurable, and globally organized competitive sport.
Write to Philosopher Super-Grandmaster King Mohammadullah Omar Iman-Dost
Reconceptualizing Mixed Martial Arts: From “Martial Arts” to “Combat Sports”
Author:
Philosopher Super Grandmaster Mohammadullah Omar Iman Dost
Correspondence:
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Abstract
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is commonly classified as “mixed martial arts,” suggesting continuity with traditional martial systems. This paper challenges that classification by arguing that MMA is more accurately conceptualized as a mixed combat sport. Using conceptual analysis and sociology of sport theory, particularly sportization, the study demonstrates that MMA is structurally, functionally, and institutionally aligned with modern sport rather than traditional martial arts. Evidence from rule standardization, competitive logic, and institutional development supports this claim.
Keywords: MMA, combat sports, sportization, philosophy of sport, martial arts
1. Introduction
Mixed Martial Arts has become a globally recognized competitive system combining techniques from multiple combat disciplines. Despite its label as “martial arts,” its operational structure raises conceptual inconsistencies.
This study asks whether MMA should be classified as a martial art or as a modern sport system.
The central thesis is that MMA is fundamentally a regulated combat sport, shaped by institutional, competitive, and functional logics rather than traditional martial philosophies.
2. Methodology
This research uses:
Conceptual philosophical analysis
Sociological theory of sportization
Comparative structural analysis of combat systems
The study synthesizes existing peer-reviewed literature rather than collecting empirical data.
3. Historical Context
The twentieth century witnessed the transformation of many martial systems into modern sports.
For example:
Judo became an Olympic sport
Taekwondo was standardized globally
Scholars describe this process as sportization, involving rule formalization, institutional governance, and competitive restructuring (Van Bottenburg & Heilbron, 2006).
MMA developed within this broader transformation.
4. Theoretical Framework
4.1 Art vs. Sport Distinction
Martial arts: tradition, philosophy, cultural transmission
Combat sports: competition, regulation, measurable performance
4.2 Functional Principle
In MMA, success is determined by effectiveness under rules, not tradition.
4.3 Structural Principle
Modern MMA is defined by:
Codified rules
Weight divisions
Refereeing systems
Organizations such as Ultimate Fighting Championship institutionalize these structures.
5. Discussion
5.1 Empirical Logic of Effectiveness
MMA prioritizes what works in real competition, reflecting a pragmatic and empirical logic (Stenius, 2015).
5.2 Professionalization
Research indicates MMA has evolved through commercialization and professional sports structures (Delalandre & Collinet, 2013).
5.3 Global Standardization
The international expansion of MMA is dependent on standardized rules and media-driven organization (Sánchez García & Malcolm, 2010).
5.4 Absence of Unified Tradition
Unlike classical martial arts, MMA:
Has no single founder
Has no unified philosophical system
Evolves continuously through competition
6. Conclusion
This paper concludes that MMA should be understood as a mixed combat sport rather than a traditional martial art.
Key reasons:
Emergence through sportization processes
Institutional rule systems
Competitive and performance-based logic
Lack of unified traditional philosophy
The term “mixed martial arts” is therefore historically descriptive but conceptually misleading.
7. Theoretical Contribution
This study, developed under the framework of Philosopher Super Grandmaster Mohammadullah Omar Iman Dost, proposes a conceptual shift in understanding MMA as a modern sport system rather than a traditional martial discipline.
References (APA 7th Edition)
Andreasson, J., & Johansson, T. (2018). Negotiating violence: Mixed martial arts as spectacle and sport. Sport in Society, 21(
, 1183–1197.
Delalandre, M., & Collinet, C. (2013). The sportification of mixed martial arts. Society and Leisure, 36(2), 123–140.
Sánchez García, R., & Malcolm, D. (2010). The international development of mixed martial arts. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 45(1), 39–58.
Stenius, M. T. (2015). Mixed martial arts and the logic of effectiveness. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 4(12), 45–55.
Van Bottenburg, M., & Heilbron, J. (2006). De-sportization of fighting contests. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 41(3–4), 259–282.
Cover Letter (For Journal Submission)
To: Editorial Board
Subject: Manuscript Submission – Reconceptualizing Mixed Martial Arts
Dear Editors,
I am submitting my manuscript titled “Reconceptualizing Mixed Martial Arts: From ‘Martial Arts’ to ‘Combat Sports’” for consideration.
This paper argues that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) should be conceptually understood as a modern combat sport rather than a traditional martial art. The analysis draws on sportization theory, philosophical conceptual analysis, and existing sociological literature.
The manuscript contributes to ongoing discussions in the philosophy and sociology of sport by offering a revised conceptual framework for MMA classification.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Philosopher Super Grandmaster Mohammadullah Omar Iman Dost
