mixed martial arts

noun

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of mixed martial arts

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

Recent Examples of mixed martial arts from the Web

Soares, meanwhile, was about a year into a five-year deal worth more than $20 million with AXS TV for his growing mixed martial arts promotion, Legacy Fighting Alliance.

— greg moore, azcentral, "Moore: Ed Soares takes unique path to build MMA's Legacy Fighting Alliance," 28 June 2018
Scott Utterback, Louisville Courier Journal While mixed martial arts is inherently violent, there are ways to minimize risks like the ones faced by Donshay White, a Radcliff veteran who died last year after a bout in Louisville.

— laura ungar, The Courier-Journal, "Five ways to make amateur MMA fights safer," 21 June 2018
Another new fighter, Andrew Ashford, who is a case manager at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, had considered mixed martial arts.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Boxing rookies learn to take the hits in Battle of the Badges," 14 June 2018
Bourdain’s crew spent a day filming at the diner in 2014, and the host himself showed up in the afternoon — but instead of talking shop, Bourdain and Garbiel talked about mixed martial arts.

— john hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, "In Provincetown, where Anthony Bourdain got his start, shock over his death," 8 June 2018
Rousey lost the last two fights of her mixed martial arts career to Holly Holm in 2015 and Amanda Nunes in 2016, before signing up with the WWE.

— Fox News, "Ronda Rousey hasn't slept since WrestleMania win," 10 Apr. 2018
Classes include Dance Jam, Warrior Sculpt, Gluteus Maxout and a Strike class, which is a combination of kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

— detroit free press staff, Detroit Free Press, "Arts Beats & Eats unveils new attractions, partnerships," 12 June 2018
Janet Dubrasky said her son did not have a history of mental illness, and only began displaying erratic behavior last September after receiving several blows to the head during a mixed martial arts workout.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Parents want answers following son's death after jail release," 10 June 2018
Eric, a Muay Thai and mixed martial arts fighter, didn’t have a hard sell on Thailand.

— cara kelly, USA TODAY, "A 'No Reservations,' 'Parts Unknown' viewing guide from an Anthony Bourdain devotee," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mixed martial arts.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.