Overview

Mixed martial arts is a full-contact combat sport that uses different techniques from other disciplines such as Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, judo, kickboxing and boxing.

Athletes compete against another opponent of equal weight, with GAMMA bouts taking place in a ring.

MMA allows opponents to strike and grapple, both standing and while on the ground. 

Techniques that are commonly used while standing are striking, clinching and takedowns. 

Grappling and submission holds are usually performed while on the ground.

In 2021, GAMMA added "Striking MMA" as a new style to develop the sport.

The discipline aims to ensure smooth transition into MMA regardless of the technical knowledge of the athletes.

Many athletes from other martial arts need to learn techniques such as striking, submission and grappling, and the new style makes picking up these skills easier.

To learn more about the sport and GAMMA, visit www.gamma-sport.org.

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Match Format

Matches are usually three rounds and last five minutes each, with one minute of rest between rounds. 

Championship matches, however, usually feature five rounds lasting five minutes each, again with one minute of rest between rounds. 

For GAMMA-held events, athletes compete for three rounds lasting three minutes each, with one minute of rest between rounds.

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Weight Categories

At present, there are nine different weight categories for male athletes and seven for women:

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Ways to Win

A match is normally won by one of six different methods:

• Judges' decision after the end of the allotted rounds
• Technical knockout - stoppage by the referee or doctor if an athlete is injured or cannot defend themselves
• Knockout
• Submission
• Corner stoppage
• Disqualification