<br />Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows both striking and grappling, both standing <br /><br />and on the ground, using techniques from other combat sports and martial arts. The first documented use of the <br /><br />term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The term <br /><br />gained popularity when newfullcontact.com, then one of the largest websites covering the sport, hosted and <br /><br />republished the article. The question of who actually coined the term is subject to debate.<br />During the early 20th century, various mixed-style contests took place throughout Japan and the Pacific Rim. <br /><br />In 1980 CV Productions, Inc., created the first regulated MMA league in the United States, named Tough Guy <br /><br />Contest, later renamed Battle of the Superfighters. The company sanctioned ten tournaments in Pennsylvania. <br /><br />However, in 1983 the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill prohibiting the sport.<br />Originally promoted as a competition to find the most effective martial arts for real unarmed combat, <br /><br />competitors from different fighting styles were pitted against one another in contests with relatively few <br /><br />rules. Later, individual fighters employed multiple martial arts into their style. MMA promoters were <br /><br />pressured to adopt additional rules to increase competitors' safety, to comply with sport regulations and to <br /><br />broaden mainstream acceptance of the sport. Following these changes, the sport has seen increased popularity <br /><br />with a pay-per-view business that rivals boxing and professional wrestling.<br />
