THE OFFICIAL UNVAILING OF MMA NIGERIA

THE UNVEILING OF MMA-NIGERIA IN PORT HARCOURT THE GARDEN CITY

Mixed Martial Arts – a technical sport

MMA is a sport designed for sparring and competition. The ambition is to attain the highest athletic level possible, with as few technical limitations as possible, while still ensuring a low level of risk for the practitioners. Within eastern as well as western martial arts all practitioners are fostered in the spirit of respect, humility and fair play, a value base which MMA shares given that it sprung from both these traditions.

An MMA athlete needs to be well rounded in the three main elements of combat; standing, ground and the transition in between them, and master a large number of techniques of various kinds. Prominent athletes have often had a very successful career in other sports before starting to train and compete in MMA. Attempts have been made to count the number of techniques used but there is no absolute number – for each element there are hundreds. MMA can be described as the most “natural” of all martial arts as the athlete has an almost infinite number of ways to defend himself – for instance; if weak on the ground he can steer the match towards standing. If the opponent is offensive using a certain technique you are not limited to respond with the same technique but can utilize whatever technique is the most efficient for you in any given situation. The sport being so complex, demanding great skills to master it, and at the same time so intuitive, is probably what makes it attractive for practitioners and spectators alike.

Mixed Martial Arts Today In Nigeria - MMA NIGERIA

MMA has had a tremendous expansion over the last years with an increase in the number of practitioners on all levels as well as followers and spectators. It is often referred to as the world’s fastest growing sport and there are positive examples of growth everywhere around the globe. Nigerians are now taking the lead in Africa in the likes of Sensi George Henry Nkoro (Chairman BM), Sensi Willson Okon (Technical BM) & Biokpo Diali George (Brand Dev. & Business Mgr.) coming together to promote this event which started in 2011.

In terms of follower-ship, the popular MMA Websites receive more than a million visitors a month, and the sport is also very popular on TV and satellite stations. The UFC, being the largest professional promoter, broadcasts in 150 countries and 22 different languages worldwide. Even so is the DFC – Dynamite Fighting Championship (The Official and First MMA-NIGERIA Brand Of Fight ) www.facebook.com/groups/mmanigeria, was officially unveiled in the garden city of Nigeria - Port Harcourt.

THE OPEN INVITATION

Mixed Martial Arts – a grass roots movement

Given the tremendous popularity of professional MMA the recreational side is rarely discussed, but no less important. Just as the number of athletes increases so do the number of recreational practitioners around the world. These are people who have found that MMA is an exciting and well-rounded form of exercise (although recreational MMA being more restricted than professional MMA for obvious reasons). In the countries where MMA has a strong hold the recreational grass roots movement is expanding rapidly. The “target group” of MMA is very wide – everything from those who previously did other martial arts and want to develop as athletes, to those who have tried numerous sports and find MMA new and stimulating, and young people just getting to know sports in general. As for the young finding MMA one have been able to observe a social aspect of the sport as well, seeing that MMA in some urban areas seem to fill an important role of “home away from hofme” for disadvantaged youth. There are plenty of examples where the structure, discipline and fellowship of the MMA club have had a positive impact in the lives of troubled youths, much like other easily accessible sports, such as football and boxing, have done for generations.