Full-spectrum combat sport blending striking, grappling and submissions
Join This Class All ClassesModern Mixed Martial Arts traces its roots to Brazilian Vale Tudo ('anything goes') contests and was popularised globally after the first UFC event in 1993 in the United States, which pitted practitioners of different martial arts (boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, karate and more) against each other to test which techniques worked best in real competition. Over three decades, MMA evolved from a largely unregulated spectacle into a highly regulated global sport with standardised weight classes and safety rules.
MMA's leading international governing body for the amateur/Olympic pathway is the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), while professional MMA is organised through promotions with their own sanctioning bodies. In India, MMA is represented by national bodies affiliated with IMMAF that organise domestic championships.
Students who reach state, national or international medal standard in recognised martial arts tournaments may become eligible for benefits under Government of India and Tamil Nadu sports schemes — including Khelo India scholarships, Sports Authority of India (SAI) support, and sports-quota consideration in select educational institutions and government recruitment. Eligibility criteria, documentation and scheme availability change from time to time and are decided by the respective government departments — please confirm current rules directly with SAI / the relevant department, or ask us and we'll point you in the right direction.
