There are many different disciplines of fighting included in the styles of MMA. Wrestling, freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling are some of the worlds oldest sports, possibly the oldest. In these styles, no blows are struck, this is a hand to hand battle to throw down the opponent.

Karate is one of the earliest popular forms of martial arts in the United States, this style is known for powerful, linear techniques but also may use softer, circular techniques. Jiu-Jitsu is an ancient martial art composed of throwing, joint locks, striking and weapons. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a form of Jiu-Jitsu that incorporates skills that use less strength, allowing the fighter to be effective against larger opponents. Judo was founded as a martial art in 1882 and was a derivative of Jiu Jitsu.

Tae Kwan Do is one of the flashiest forms of martial arts, incorporating impressive kicking techniques. It is one of the most common forms of martial arts in the world.

Kung Fu is not just a classic tv show starring David Carradine, It is also a style of fighting that has movements patterned after animal movements. There are many different styles of Kung Fu.

Boxing is a very American fighting sport, the opponents are dressed in silks and wear padded leather gloves. Their movements are quick and often elaborate. It often incorporates ‘mind games’ as the fighters dance around one another looking for an opening. Kickboxing incorporates both boxing and different styles of martial arts such as full contact karate.

Kimbo Slice, born Kevin Ferguson on February 8, 1974 in Nassau, Bahamas moved to the United States as a child. He grew up in Cutler Ridge, Florida with his two brothers who were all raised by mother Rosemary Clarke. Kevin remembers the first fight he was ever in was as a thirteen year old and he entered into the fight to protect a friend. During his schooling at Miami Palmetto High School, he was the star middle linebacker.

In 1992 Hurricane Andrew swept through with much notoriety as it destroyed coastal homes, including Kevin Ferguson’s, forcing him to spend a month living in his 1987 Nissan Pathfinder.

Kevin attended college through an athletic scholarship and studied in criminal justice. In 1997, he had a tryout for the Miami Dolphins, he was part of the pre-season squad, but did not get placed in the first team. It was said, that at some point in time, Kevin Ferguson spent ten years in prison.

Working as a bouncer for a strip club, Ferguson got an offer as a limousine driver and body guard from high school friend and current manager Mike Ember. He worked at this position for the popular adult subscription websites owner RealityKings who now accompany him to his fights, they are called “Team Kimbo”.

In 2002, Kevin was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. In 2003, he began his run as an internet street fighter in unsanctioned fights. The main outlets for these fights were SublimeDirectory and YouTube. He gained his name ‘Slice’ because of a large cut he left on one of his opponent’s right eye. Kimbo is a nickname he has carried since childhood.

Woman’s mixed martial arts has been fraught with arguments from its inception. Though it is slowly rising in popularity and is now featured on television and other known events, it still has a very rough road to climb. Proponents are becoming more vocal and with that vocalization, come the response from the opposite side.

Because this is a fight between women, it still has to work against the stigma of mud wrestling and any number of other ‘shows’ that objectify women for their body and not their talent. Don’t be fooled, these are real fights between real combatants. Some are pretty and some are not, but in this ring, that is of no consequence. This is a real fight and it’s time it attracts the attention, respect and appreciation it deserves.

Veteran men’s fights are three rounds of five minutes each. Veteran women’s fights are three rounds of three minutes each. It is understood that professional fighters with less than five professional fights only go three minute rounds, but women are required long after their five fights, to fight only the three minute rounds. The fighters would like equal treatment, but so far this has not been the case. They claim equal training and sometimes harder training than men, these women have pushed themselves to be recognized as the athletes they are but to date, they are still generally not offered the same benefits men receive.