mixed martial arts

noun

: a contact sport that allows a wide range of fighting techniques including striking, kicking, and grappling

Examples of mixed martial arts in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Johnson takes on the role of Kerr, showcasing a more dramatic look at the life of one of mixed martial arts' greatest fighters. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson as legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, delivered a knockout punch Monday at the Venice Film Festival. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2025 The Smashing Machine takes place between 1997 and 2000, when Kerr, originally a wrestler, began to get involved in the burgeoning world of mixed martial arts, well before the sport became a billion-dollar industry. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2025 The Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa will host its semifinals in Kigali, Rwanda, on Oct. 18, the mixed martial arts tournament’s continental chief told Semafor. Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mixed martial arts

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mixed martial arts was in 1990

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Cite this Entry

“Mixed martial arts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mixed%20martial%20arts. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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