MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is a sport that allows the use of grappling and striking your opponent in a bout. Although perceived as a dangerous sport by many, it can teach individual valuable lessons about respect, discipline and honour. This sport has taken the South African fight scene by storm and is slowly cementing its legacy on African soil. Organisations that put together exciting fight cards whereby opponents fight one another to proclaim their supremacy in their respective weight classes, like EFC Africa, prove the legitimacy of this statement.

MMA rose to prominence when Professional Mixed Martial Arts Council or PROMMA Africa was formed in 2010. PROMMA Africa’s main purpose is to regulate MMA at major MMA event such as EFC Africa. EFC Africa is the largest MMA event that is hosted annually in South Africa which pits together some of the greatest fighters in Africa against each other. The next event will be hosted at Carnival City, Brakpan on the 27th of July.

Now despite it being a contact sport that can lead to a world of hurt if taken as a profession, it can also be beneficial to individuals in one way or another. A person can start their MMA training to up their game by knowing how to defend themselves in certain situations, shedding some extra kilo’s without popping diet pills or even doing it as a bonding session for the family, whatever the reason. You can learn a few disciplines in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Catch Wrestling, Judo and so much more.

Now I’m no expert when it comes to MMA because I only started loving the sport recently when I watched the previous EFC Africa event (EFC Africa 14) that was held at the Carnival City on the 1st of June, and I must admit that the Adam Speechly vs Costa Ioannou fight left a lasting impression, I would definitely recommend it someone. Now if you’re looking to start your training or just want to find out more about the sport then you can visit the following sites:

Take down
Dragon Power
Panther Fighting Arts
Cape Fight League
Toughen Up