Many people do not consider Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) a sport, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. MMA organizations like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) really have transformed what some thought was “cage fighting” into the next big thing.

MMA is a showcase of fighters employing various martial arts skills against one another. Two basic types of fighting are used. There is stand-up like boxing or Muay Thai, and the other is grappling like wrestling or Jiu Jitsu. Most fighters excel in one area over the other, but all need to be able to hold their own in either.

There are three rounds lasting five minutes for sanctioned fights. There are five rounds for championship bouts. There are very strict rules, as in boxing and every other sport, and officials to enforce them in the ring. Speaking of rings, MMA is traditionally done in an octagon-shaped cage with a chain link fence instead of ropes. This adds a level of safety to the fighters by keeping them from falling out of the ring.

Boxing focuses on only punches from the waist to the head. Fighting like this is exciting, but nothing compares to punches, kicks, elbows, knees, chokes, arm bars and just about anything else to any part of the body, excluding the groin, spine and back of the head. It is extremely exciting because the strikes can come from absolutely anywhere.

MMA is growing more and more. There are martial arts schools, fight clubs and numerous other venues popping up to fuel the interest of this new sport. Just as every other sport grew little by little, MMA is leaping into the scene. Now, go do some more research into the sport that even Yahoo! Sports ranks above boxing, tennis and soccer, and then tune in for fight night.