What is MMA?
Mixed martial arts (MMA)
is a full
contact combat
sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques, from a mixture of martial
arts traditions and non-traditions, to be used in competitions. The rules
allow the use of striking
and grappling
techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow
martial artists of different backgrounds to compete.
The roots of mixed martial arts can be traced back to various
mixed style contests that took place throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific
Rim during the early 1900s. Modern MMA competition emerged in 1993 with the
founding of the Ultimate
Fighting Championships, although professional MMA events had been held in
Japan by Shooto
starting back in 1989. Originally organized with the intention of finding the
most effective martial
arts for real unarmed combat situations, competitors were pitted against one
another with minimal rules for safety. Later promoters adopted many additional
rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream
acceptance of the sport.
What is UFC?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based
MMA
promotion. Dana
White serves as the president of the UFC and Zuffa,
LLC (controlled by Frank
and Lorenzo
Fertitta) owns the company.
Inspired by vale
tudo competitions in Brazil,
the UFC held its first competition in Denver,
Colorado in 1993.
Showcasing fighters of different proficiencies—including boxing,
Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling
and Muay Thai,
among others—the UFC sought to discover which martial art was the most
effective in a real fight. After a period of political backlash, the UFC
gradually underwent reform by embracing stricter
rules and achieving sanctioning with State
Athletic Commissions.
With a cable television deal and expansion into Canada,
Europe and new markets within the United States, the UFC as of 2010[update]
has gained in popularity, along with greater mainstream-media
coverage. As of 2010
viewers can access UFC programming on pay-per-view
television, Spike
in the United
States and Canada,
on ESPN
in the United
Kingdom as well as in 33 other countries worldwide. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship
What is The Ultimate Fighter?
The Ultimate Fighter is a
reality
television series and mixed
martial arts (MMA) competition, originating from the United States, and
produced by Spike
TV and the Ultimate
Fighting Championship (UFC). On this show, professional MMA fighters that
have yet to make a big name for themselves are situated in a house outside of Las
Vegas, Nevada and compete against each other for the title of The
Ultimate Fighter, winning a six-figure, multi-fight contract with the UFC.
For the first four seasons, prospect UFC fighters were
selected in two weight classes. The fighters are divided into two teams,
irrespective of weight class, each team coached by a current UFC headliner. The
teams then compete (in a manner which varies by season) to determine which team
would have the right to pair one of their own fighters against an opponent of
their choice in the same weight class to an MMA match, the loser being
eliminated from competition. At the end of a season, the two remaining fighters
of each weight class are placed in a single-elimination tournament, where the
title of Ultimate Fighter is awarded to the winner. Seasons five to seven
and ten have only featured one weight class each.
The show features the daily preparations each fighter makes
to train for competition and the interactions they have with each other living
under the same roof. Day-to-day events on the show are overseen by UFC president
Dana White.
White has attributed the UFC's success to the popularity of The Ultimate
Fighter.
With the exception of the season finales, fights on The
Ultimate Fighter are sanctioned by the Nevada
Athletic Commission as exhibition matches and do not count for or against a
fighter's professional record. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ultimate_Fighter
What is Spike?
Spike (formerly called Spike TV), a division of
MTV
Networks, is an American
cable
channel
designed for an audience described demographically
as "young
adult males". The channel began life as The
Nashville Network (TNN), founded by WSM, Inc. (a subsidiary of National
Life and Accident Insurance Company) in a joint venture with Group
W Satellite Communications on March 7, 1983 and acquired a few months later
by Gaylord
Entertainment Company. As of 2006, Spike's viewership was almost half women
(45%), although many of them are reported to be watching it with male partners
or family members, or were watching the CSI
franchise. The average age of the channel's viewers was 42 years old.
Spike is available in 96.1 million American homes.
The channel features re-runs of popular shows such as CSI,
CSI: NY,
Unsolved
Mysteries, Married
With Children, UFC,
and various original programs and movies. It is also the home of the
professional wrestling organization Total
Nonstop Action Wrestling's flagship show Impact!.
Today, after several changes of ownership and name, Spike
operates as part of MTV
Networks, owned by Viacom.
In October 2007, Kevin
Kay was appointed president, after being executive vice president and
general manager of the channel for the previous two years. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_(TV_channel)
What is a Weight?
Weights are exercise
equipment used for strength
training. The term is typically used as a shortened form of the term free
weights, but it can also refer to any exercise
machine that uses weighted plates to generate the major opposing force.
Generally, 'weights' come in two derivations: standard plates
and olympic plates. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weights
What is Weight Training?
Weight training is a common type
of strength
training for developing the strength
and size of skeletal
muscles. It uses the force
of gravity (in the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weight stacks) to
oppose the force generated by muscle through concentric
or eccentric
contraction. Weight training uses a variety of specialized equipment
to target specific muscle groups and types of movement.
Weight training differs from bodybuilding,
Olympic
weightlifting, powerlifting,
and strongman,
which are sports
rather than forms of exercise. Weight training, however, is often part of the
athlete's training regimen. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_Training
What is a Weight Machine?
A weight machine is an exercise
machine used for weight
training that uses gravity as the primary source of resistance and a
combination of simple
machines to convey that resistance to the person using the machine. Each of
the simple machines (pulley, lever, wheel, incline) changes the mechanical
advantage of the overall machine relative to the weight. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_machine
What is cutting weight?
Weight cutting is the practice
of rapid weight
loss prior to a sporting competition. It most frequently happens in order to
qualify for a lower weight
class (usually in combat
sports, where weight is a significant advantage) or in sports where it is
advantageous to weigh as little as possible (most notably equestrian).
There are two types of weight cutting: One method is to lose weight in the form
of fat and muscle in the weeks prior to an event; the other is to lose weight in
the form of water in the final days before competition.
Nutritional experts will rarely give advice on how to cut
weight safely or effectively, and will simply recommend against cutting weight
at all. However, many athletes choose to do it because they wish to gain an
advantage in their sport. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weight_cutting
What is Exercise?
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances
or maintains physical
fitness and overall health.
It is performed for many different reasons. These include strengthening muscles
and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic
skills, weight
loss or maintenance and for enjoyment. Frequent and regular physical
exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the "diseases
of affluence" such as heart
disease, cardiovascular
disease, Type
2 diabetes and obesity.
It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or
maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual's sex appeal.
Childhood obesity is a growing global concern[3]
and physical exercise may help decrease the effects of childhood obesity in
developed countries. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise
What is Nutrition
Nutrition (also called nourishment
or aliment) is the provision, to cells
and organisms,
of the materials necessary (in the form of food) to support life.
Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy
diet.
The diet
of an organism is what it eats, and is largely determined by the perceived palatability
of foods. Dietitians
are health
professionals who specialize in human nutrition, meal planning, economics,
and preparation. They are trained to provide safe, evidence-based dietary advice
and management to individuals (in health and disease), as well as to
institutions.
A poor diet can have an injurious impact on health, causing
deficiency diseases such as scurvy,
beriberi,
and kwashiorkor;
health-threatening conditions like obesity
and metabolic
syndrome, and such common chronic systemic diseases as cardiovascular
disease, diabetes,
and osteoporosis.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrition
What are Body Building Supplements?
Bodybuilding supplements are substances
taken by athletes
or individuals involved in weight
training or other physical activity to aid in the building of lean muscle
mass or to cause fat loss. Bodybuilding
supplements may also be used to improve sports performance and improve recovery
from events and training. However, their potential effects remain controversial.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodybuilding_supplement
What are Dietary Supplements?
A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement
or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to provide nutrients,
such as vitamins,
minerals,
fiber,
fatty acids
or amino
acids, that are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a
person's diet.
Some countries define dietary supplements as foods, while in others they are
defined as drugs.
Supplements containing vitamins
or dietary
minerals are included as a category of food in the Codex
Alimentarius, a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of
practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods,
food production and food
safety. These texts are drawn up by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission, an organization that is sponsored by the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) and the World
Health Organization (WHO). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_supplement
What is TapouT
TapouT is an American
business enterprise specializing in producing clothing and miscellaneous gear
targeted at the mixed
martial arts community, as well as a magazine devoted to mixed martial arts
fighting (formerly Bodyguard magazine). Charles
Lewis, Jr. (also known as "Mask"who was a complete dipshit) and
Dan Caldwell (also known as "Punkass" who is a little bitch) founded
the company in 1997 in San
Bernardino, California. The company is currently based in Grand
Terrace. From a gross of $30,000 in 1999, Tapout's earnings rose to $100
million in 2008. The company has a worldwide network of licensed retailers,
including Dillard's,
Champs
and Spencer
Gifts.
In 2007, Tapout launched a reality
television series, also called Tapout,
on Versus.
Each episode follows Mask, Punkass and their third partner, Tim
"SkySkrape" Katz (a dweeb), as they scout fighters to add to their
sponsorship roster. This was one of the worst series ever
Tapout signed "Internet legend" Kimbo
Slice to a sponsorship deal in 2008. Tapout will be creating an exclusive
Kimbo clothing line.
On March 11, 2009 Charles Lewis, Jr. was killed in his
Ferrari in a high-speed automobile collision in Newport
Beach, California. A female companion was ejected from the car and taken for
medical treatment but Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of a
second car, a white Porsche, which was believed to have been traveling alongside
Lewis's car, was arrested on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while
intoxicated. Prior to UFC 100, "Mask" was inducted into the UFC Hall
of Fame together with his long time friend and UFC legend Chuck
Liddell. Source: (mostly) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapout_(clothing_brand)
What is Affliction?
Affliction Entertainment was an American
mixed
martial arts (MMA) promotion company created by Affliction
Clothing in 2008. The UFC
prohibited its fighters from wearing Affliction clothing after learning
Affliction was considering also becoming an MMA fight promotion. Donald
Trump, who owned a significant equity stake in Affliction Entertainment, was
often seen sporting Affliction T-Shirts at the PPV events. Although the
promotion bears the Affliction name, it is not run by Affliction Clothing, but
is an independent branch of the company. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affliction_Entertainment
What is PRIDE?
Pride Fighting Championships (Pride
or Pride FC for short) was a mixed
martial arts organization based in Japan. Its inaugural event was held at
the Tokyo
Dome on October 11, 1997. Pride held more than sixty
mixed martial arts events. As one of the most popular MMA organizations in the
world during its ten years of operation, Pride broadcast to about 40 countries
worldwide. Pride also held the largest live MMA event audience record of over
70,000 people at the Pride and K-1
co-production, Shockwave/Dynamite,
held in August 2002, as well as the audience record of over 67,450 people at the
Pride
Final Conflict 2003.
In March 2007, Dream
Stage Entertainment sold Pride to Lorenzo
Fertitta and Frank
Fertitta III, co-owners of Zuffa,
which owns rival promotion the Ultimate
Fighting Championship (UFC). While remaining legally separate entities with
separate managements, the two promotions were set to cooperate in a manner akin
to the AFL-NFL
merger. However, such an arrangement did not materialize, and in October
2007, Pride Worldwide's Japanese staff was laid off, marking the end of the
organization as an active fight promoter. As a result many of the Pride staff
left to form a new organization alongside K-1
parent company Fighting
and Entertainment Group. This new organization founded in February 2008 is
entitled Dream.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_Fighting_Championships
What is WEC?
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) is an American
mixed
martial arts (MMA) promotion. It is the sister promotion to the Ultimate
Fighting Championship (UFC), both owned and produced by Zuffa,
with a focus on the lighter weight classes (155, 145, 135, and 125 lb). The
WEC uses the same rules as its older and much larger sibling, and holds its
matches in a smaller octagonal cage. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Extreme_Cagefighting
What is Sherdog?
Sherdog is a website devoted to the sport of mixed
martial arts (MMA). The site is a member of the Crave Online network.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherdog.
Sherdog.com is located at: http://www.sherdog.com/
What is CraveOnline?
CraveOnline.com was launched in late 2004 by the online media
company Atomic Online. The site operated as an entertainment portal and featured
some original content as well as links to external content affiliates. Currently
CraveOnline.com features entertainment news, movie and gaming guides, celebrity
interviews and video. It also maintains a network of male centric sites
(ComingSoon.net, Spiked Humor, Sherdog,
Actiontrip, MyAnimeList,
WrestleZone, Hockey's Future, HoopsVibe, DrinksMixer, and others) that have been
acquired by Atomic Online.
CraveOnline is ranked among the top sites on the web and
listed in the top 10,000 websites according to (public web analytic sites) Alexa
in the top 5,000 according to Compete and the top 1,000 sites according to
Quantcast. CraveOnline was cited in the 2009 book, "The Man's Book: The
Essential Guide for the Modern Man" (by Thomas Fink) as a top website for
men. Regarding Crave Online, AskMen.com said, "CraveOnline.com combines
entertainment and other interests in one place. Great articles, nice pictures
and other cool stuff that you won't want to miss."
CraveOnline’s contributors have included Fred Topel (About.com),
Iann
Robinson (MTV),
Felix Vasquez Jr. (Film
Threat), Zach Oberman (College Humor), Johnny Firecloud (Antiquiet), Chad
Dundas (Missoulian), Ben Fowlkes (Sports
Illustrated), Colbert Low (The Gadget Blog), Erik Norris (Kombo), Jimmy
Alvarado (Razorcake),
Jon Lachonis (DocArzt's LOST
Blog), Nino Marchetti (About.com), Rick Florino (Artist Direct), Ross Plesset (Cinefantastique),
Shawn Loeffler (AskMen),
Tom Oatmeal (The Phat Phree) and others.
CraveOnline has several regular editorial features including
the MMA opinion column, Pound for Pound, TGIM (Thank God it’s Monday), Next
Gen News, The Hip-Hop Mix, Idiot Box, The Hollywood Roundup, Best of the Web and
New to Blu-Ray. In addition the site features monthly guides in the Movie,
Comics and Gaming sections that feature trailers and release info.CraveOnline
also features original video shows (The Punching Show, Crave Soundcheck, Taco
the Town) as well as shows produced by other sites (Italian
Spiderman).
CraveOnline was re-launched in April 2009, prior to that the
site was redesigned in April 2007. The site recently launched a Canadian version
of the site that features local Canadian content. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CraveOnline
What is a douchebag?
Dana White. Source: The
Dictionary