Women’s Experiences in the Mixed Martial Arts: A Quest for Excitement?

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Mierzwinski ◽  
Philippa Velija ◽  
Dominic Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Martial Arts ◽  
Gender Relations ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Sexual Intimacy ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Combat Sports ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
Sociological Approach

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), like the majority of relatively violent sports, has mainly been organized around the capabilities of the male body. However various indices suggest that women’s engagement with MMA is growing. The purpose of this paper is to offer an analysis of women’s involvement in MMA using a figurational sociological approach. In doing so, we draw on interview data with “elite” female mixed martial artists to explore the extent to which females within MMA experience a specifically gendered “quest for excitement.” The paper further illustrates how the notion of “civilized bodies” can be used to interpret the distinctly gendered experiences of shame in relation to fighting in combat sports, the physical markings incurred as a consequence, and perceptions of sexual intimacy in the close physical contact of bodies. In so doing this paper provides the first figurationally-informed study of female sport involvement to focus explicitly on the role of violence in mediating social relations, while refining aspects of the figurational sociological approach to provide a more adequate framework for the analysis of gender relations.

The hearthhold in pastoral Fulbe society, central Mali: social relations, milk and drought

Africa ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam de Bruijn
Keyword(s):  
Social Relations ◽  
Gender Relations ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Social Unit ◽  
Economic Role ◽  
Nomadic Pastoralists ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Social Units

AbstractIn pastoral Fulbe society in central Mali women had and in some degree still have an important social and economic role, concentrated on a milk economy organised through a special female-headed, women-centred unit called by the Fulbe fayannde, or ‘hearthhold’. In a society of semi-nomadic pastoralists who live most of the year in small social units, social relations and networks are very important, perhaps even crucial to the success of their main survival strategy, which is transhumant cattle-keeping. In the literature on the Fulbe this social unit has received relatively little attention. An analysis from the perspective of the ‘hearthhold’ sheds new light on property and gender relations in Fulbe society in general.Drought has had an enormous impact on the situation of the Jallube studied in this article. Economic change—a switch to agriculture and production for the market—has brought about a shift of focus for the men. Economically, milk is no longer essential for them, and hence the fayannde loses its importance; socially, too, the role of the fayannde, as symbolised by milk, is changing. For women the erosion of the fayannde is serious: an analysis of marriage gifts shows how important the fayannde is not only to the social organisation of the Jallube but also to their economic viability. In times of stress this importance may be greater for women than for men. The decline of the fayannde may lead to a transformation of gender relations, the marriage ceremony and women's social security—changes that the return of the rains or the re-establishment of herds may not reverse.

scholarly journals Defensas contra derribo en el arte ruso del Systema

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Kevin R. Secours
Keyword(s):  
Martial Arts ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
Russian Art ◽  
Historical Texts ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Survival Scenario ◽  
The Difference

<p>The continuing popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) events has motivated many martial artists to cross train in grappling disciplines. While largely beneficial for the arts as a whole, many practitioners have nevertheless integrated grappling strategies without considering whether or not their applications are simply sportive or appropriate for self-defense tactics. In this article, I will examine some historical perspectives on the role of grappling on the battlefield from published literature and consider the evidence left to us through historical texts and artwork. Based on over 20 years experience in the grappling arts, I will attempt to show that ground fighting and grappling are necessary components of a complete tactical arsenal, while carefully illustrating the difference in street tactics. I will place specific emphasis on the role of defending the takedown in a modern survival scenario, giving particular attention to the approach employed by the Russian art of Systema.</p>

scholarly journals Neurologist at ringside-to be or not to be?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
N Sethi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Martial Arts ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Combat Sports ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
Primary Care Internal Medicine ◽  
Medical Associations ◽  
The Brain

Background: Ringside physicians are entrusted with the task of protecting the health and safety of combat sports (boxing and mixed martial arts) athletes. Ringside physicians come from various disciplines of medicine such as primary care, Internal Medicine, orthopaedics, sports medicine and even otolaryngology. There are very few neurologists who work as ringside physicians. Discussion: Boxing and MMA are highly controversial sports for neurologists to be involved in for in these sports every punch and kick to the head is thrown with the intention of knocking the opponent out. Every punch and kick to the head is thrown with the intention to win via causing a concussion. Many neurologists thus feel it is unethical to support boxing by working as a ringside physician. Conclusion: Boxing and MMA are universally thought to be detrimental to the brain and nearly all medical associations at various times have made calls to ban boxing and MMA altogether. While medical associations and physicians including neurologists may not support boxing or MMA, the presence of a neurologist ringside or cageside helps make these sports safer by protecting the health and safety of a combat sports athlete.

Is violence used to promote Mixed Martial Arts?

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Christopher Greenwell ◽  
Dustin Thorn ◽  
Jason Simmons
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Martial Arts ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
News Releases

This study examines how Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events are marketed in order to understand the role of violence in promoting events. Researchers examined 134 pieces of promotional artwork and 57 promotional news releases by MMA organisations across North America, Asia and Europe and found that 18 (13.4%) pieces of promotional artwork used violent text or imagery. Violent text was found in 12 (21%) of the 57 news releases. Violence was typically limited to smaller or European organisations. Results illustrate an evolution of the sport, suggesting violence may no longer be necessary to promote events.

scholarly journals Weight Loss Strategies in Combat Sports and Concerning Habits in Mixed Martial Arts

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 933-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver R. Barley ◽  
Dale W. Chapman ◽  
Chris R. Abbiss
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Martial Arts ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Fluid Restriction ◽  
Weight Class ◽  
Combat Sports ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Weight Loss Strategies

Context: Combat sports are typically divided into weight classes, and body-mass manipulation to reach a weight class is commonplace. Previous research suggests that weight loss practices in mixed martial arts (MMA) may be more extreme than in other combat sports. Purpose: To investigate the magnitude of weight loss and the prevalence of weight loss strategies in different combat sports. Methods: Competitors (N = 637) from Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, judo, MMA, Muay Thai/kickboxing, taekwondo, and wrestling completed an online questionnaire seeking information regarding their weight loss practices. Results: Body-mass manipulation was commonly undertaken by all combat-sport athletes, with a particularly high incidence of gradual dieting, increased exercise, and fluid restriction. Skipping meals was higher in taekwondo and wrestling (84%) compared with the other combat sports (∼58%), whereas training in heated rooms and forced oral fluid loss (spitting) was higher in wrestling (83% and 47%, respectively) compared with other combat sports (∼45% and ∼19%, respectively). MMA athletes reported the highest usage of sauna (76%) and water loading (67%) while also reporting the second-highest use of training in rubber/plastic suits (63%). Conclusions: Body-mass manipulation was present in all combat sports, with the prevalence and magnitude of acute weight loss greater in MMA. The incidence of and practices reported will help support staff be fully aware of the variety of methods these athletes and coaches may use to achieve weight loss. Additionally, the results could aid regulatory bodies in the further development of policies on weight cutting.

scholarly journals Una visión histórica de las artes marciales mixtas en China

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
William Acevedo ◽  
Mei Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Martial Arts ◽  
Chinese American ◽  
First Century ◽  
Combat Sports ◽  
Mixed Martial Arts ◽  
Chronological Order ◽  
Bruce Lee ◽  
Ultimate Fighting Championship ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Twenty First Century

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has become one of the fastest-growing combat sports in the twenty-first century, drawing millions of Pay-Per-View spectators since the inception of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. Popular conceptions have credited the creation of MMA to Bruce Lee, a Chinese-American actor and martial artist who became an icon in the 1970s and who is still considered by many as a revolutionary figure in the field. This paper will present, in chronological order, examples of ancient Chinese martial arts concepts preceding the creation of modern MMA.

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