MMA Glossary

MMA Glossary

Your A-Z guide to MMA terminology — 66 terms and counting

Term of the Day

Single Leg Takedown

Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A single leg takedown is a grappling technique where a fighter grabs one of their opponent’s legs and uses leverage to bring them to the...

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66 terms found

#

1 term

10-Point Must System Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The 10-point must system is the round-by-round scoring method used in MMA, where the judge... →

A

5 terms

Americana Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The Americana is a shoulder lock applied by bending an opponent’s arm at a 90-degree... → Anaconda Choke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The anaconda choke is a blood choke applied from a front headlock, in which the... → Ankle Lock Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An ankle lock is a submission hold that attacks the ankle joint and Achilles tendon... → Arm Triangle Choke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The arm triangle choke is a blood choke in MMA that traps the opponent’s own... → Armbar Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An armbar is a submission hold that hyperextends the elbow joint by trapping an opponent's... →

B

5 terms

Back Control Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Back control is a grappling position where one fighter controls their opponent from behind, using... → Body Shot Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A body shot is any punch, kick, knee, or elbow strike directed at an opponent’s... → Boxing Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Boxing in MMA is the application of boxing techniques, including punches, footwork, and defensive head... → Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art focused on ground fighting and submission holds... → Butterfly Guard Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The butterfly guard is a seated open guard position in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA where... →

C

2 terms

Clinch Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A clinch in MMA is a close-range standing grapple where two fighters grip each other’s... → Cross Quick Definition A cross is a powerful straight punch thrown with the rear hand in MMA. It travels in a... →

D

3 terms

D'Arce Choke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The d'arce choke is a no-gi arm-triangle submission in which the attacker threads one arm... → Disqualification Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A disqualification (DQ) in MMA is when a fighter loses a bout because they commit... → Double Leg Takedown Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A double leg takedown is a grappling technique where a fighter grabs both of an... →

E

2 terms

Elbow Strike Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An elbow strike is a close-range blow in MMA delivered with the point of the... → Eye Poke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An eye poke in MMA is illegal contact with a fighter’s eye, caused by an... →

F

3 terms

Flying Knee Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A flying knee is a knee strike delivered while airborne, where the attacker leaps toward... → Front kick Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A front kick is a straight-line strike delivered by driving the foot forward into the... → Full Guard Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Full guard is a ground grappling position where the bottom fighter wraps both legs around... →

G

4 terms

Gogoplata Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A gogoplata is a rare submission in which the attacker, from the bottom of the... → Ground and Pound Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Ground and pound is an MMA strategy where a fighter takes their opponent to the... → Guard Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The guard is a ground position in MMA where one fighter lies on their back... → Guillotine Choke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A guillotine choke is a front-facing submission hold where one fighter wraps an arm around... →

H

3 terms

Half Guard Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Half guard is a ground grappling position in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the bottom... → Heel Hook Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A heel hook is a twisting leg-lock submission used in MMA and grappling that traps... → Hook Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A hook is a short-range punch that arcs horizontally toward the side of an opponent’s... →

J

2 terms

Jab A jab is a quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from a fighting stance. It is the most... → Judo Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Judo in MMA refers to the use of judo techniques within mixed martial arts competition.... →

K

3 terms

Kimura Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A kimura lock is a figure-four shoulder submission that bends an opponent’s arm behind their... → Kneebar Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A kneebar is a leg-lock submission that hyperextends the knee joint by trapping an opponent’s... → KO Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A KO (knockout) in MMA is a legal strike or combination of strikes that leaves... →

L

1 term

Leg Kick Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A leg kick is a strike delivered with the shin to an opponent's thigh or... →

M

3 terms

Majority Decision Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A majority decision in MMA is a judges’ verdict in which two of the three... → Mount Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The mount position is a dominant ground position in MMA where one fighter sits on... → Muay Thai Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Muay Thai is a stand-up combat sport from Thailand that uses eight points of striking... →

N

3 terms

Neck Crank Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A neck crank is a grappling submission that forces the neck past its normal range... → No Contest Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A no contest (NC) in MMA is a fight result declared when a bout ends... → North-South Position Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The north-south position is a dominant ground control pin used in MMA, BJJ, and judo.... →

O

3 terms

Octagon The Octagon is the eight-sided enclosed fighting area used by the UFC. It measures 30 feet across and is surrounded... → Overhand Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An overhand is a looping power punch that arcs downward over the opponent's guard, targeting... → Overhook / Whizzer Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An overhook is a clinch hold in MMA where a fighter wraps their arm over... →

Q

1 term

Question Mark Kick Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A question mark kick is a deceptive striking technique where a fighter chambers their knee... →

R

2 terms

Rear Naked Choke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The rear naked choke (RNC) is a blood choke applied from behind an opponent by... → Roundhouse Kick Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A roundhouse kick is a circular strike where the fighter pivots on the base foot... →

S

8 terms

Side Control Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Side control is a dominant ground position in MMA and grappling where the top fighter... → Single Leg Takedown Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A single leg takedown is a grappling technique where a fighter grabs one of their... → Spinning Back Fist Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A spinning back fist is a strike in MMA where a fighter pivots on the... → Split Decision Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A split decision in MMA is a judging outcome where two of the three cage-side... → Sprawl Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A sprawl is a defensive technique in MMA and wrestling used to stop single-leg and... → Submission Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A submission in MMA is a method of victory where one fighter forces their opponent... → Superman Punch Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A superman punch is a striking technique where a fighter fakes a rear-leg kick, snaps... → Sweep Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A sweep in MMA refers to a technique that either reverses a ground position, moving... →

T

5 terms

Takedown Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A takedown is a grappling technique where one fighter off-balances an opponent and brings them... → Technical Decision Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A technical decision in MMA is a fight result where the judges’ scorecards decide the... → Teep Kick What Is a Teep Kick in MMA? Definition & Meaning Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A teep is a pushing... → TKO Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A TKO, or technical knockout, is a fight-ending stoppage called when a fighter cannot safely... → Triangle Choke Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A triangle choke is a submission hold where the attacker wraps their legs around an... →

U

4 terms

Unanimous Decision Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A unanimous decision in MMA is a fight result in which all three judges score... → Underhook Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An underhook is a clinch hold in grappling where a fighter places their arm underneath... → Unified Rules of MMA Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition The Unified Rules of MMA are the standardized ruleset that governs professional mixed martial arts... → Uppercut Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition An uppercut is a close-range punch that travels vertically upward, targeting the opponent’s chin or... →

W

3 terms

Weight Class Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition MMA weight classes are divisions that group fighters by body weight, so bouts happen between... → Weight Cut Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition A weight cut is the process MMA fighters use to rapidly lose body weight, mostly... → Wrestling Last updated: [Date] Quick Definition Wrestling in MMA refers to the use of grappling-based techniques like takedowns, clinch control, and... →

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