Over the last few decades, mixed martial arts (MMA) has grown from an underground sport to a mainstream phenomenon. Its blend of striking, grappling, and submission techniques from multiple martial arts has revolutionized the way fighters approach combat.
However, MMA’s impact extends beyond the cage—it has also found its way into military combat training, reshaping the way soldiers are prepared for close-quarters combat.
In the military, hand-to-hand combat training is a crucial element of overall readiness. Soldiers need to be able to defend themselves when firearms or other weapons aren’t an option. MMA has become a key influence in modern military training, offering practical techniques that enhance soldiers’ effectiveness in real combat scenarios.
This article explores how MMA has influenced military combat training and why its techniques are so valuable in the battlefield.
The Role of Hand-to-Hand Combat in the Military
Hand-to-hand combat training has always been a vital component of military preparation. In close-quarters situations, where weapons are unavailable or impractical, soldiers must rely on their bodies and combat skills to neutralize threats. This is where martial arts come into play, and MMA’s combination of striking, grappling, and submission techniques provides a well-rounded skill set for soldiers.
Unlike traditional martial arts that focus on single disciplines, MMA blends techniques from a variety of martial arts, making it highly adaptable to unpredictable combat situations. Whether it’s striking to incapacitate an enemy quickly or using grappling techniques to control and restrain them, MMA offers versatile tools that can be applied in military scenarios.
How MMA Techniques are Used in Military Training
MMA’s focus on real-world, practical combat skills aligns with the needs of military personnel. Let’s look at the specific MMA techniques that have been integrated into military combat training:
1. Striking Techniques
Striking is one of the core components of MMA, blending punches, kicks, elbows, and knees from disciplines like boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. These strikes are effective for incapacitating an opponent quickly in hand-to-hand combat.
- Application in Military Training: Soldiers are taught to use striking techniques in close combat situations where they need to neutralize a threat rapidly. Elbows and knees, in particular, are effective in confined spaces like hallways or rooms, where soldiers might not have the space to throw long punches or kicks.
2. Grappling and Control
MMA’s grappling techniques, drawn from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), wrestling, and judo, teach fighters how to control and submit an opponent. In military combat, grappling can be essential for controlling an enemy without lethal force, especially when subduing or restraining a combatant is the objective.
- Application in Military Training: Grappling techniques are often used in military training to teach soldiers how to subdue an enemy without using weapons. Techniques like takedowns, joint locks, and chokeholds are critical for gaining control over an opponent, particularly in situations where soldiers must capture or disarm the enemy rather than eliminate them.
3. Ground Fighting
MMA has popularized the importance of ground fighting, showing that many fights end up on the ground and that controlling the ground game is essential. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a key component of MMA, teaches fighters how to escape, defend, and attack from the ground.
- Application in Military Training: Ground fighting skills are invaluable for soldiers who may find themselves in grappling situations where they are knocked down or forced to the ground. Learning how to fight and escape from the bottom position is a key survival skill in close-quarters combat.
The Psychological Benefits of MMA in Military Training
In addition to the physical benefits, MMA also brings psychological advantages that are crucial for military personnel. Combat, whether in the ring or on the battlefield, requires mental resilience, quick decision-making, and the ability to stay calm under extreme pressure—qualities that are equally important in both sports and military combat.
1. Stress Management
MMA fighters regularly face high-stress situations in the cage, learning to control their breathing, stay focused, and make split-second decisions under pressure. These skills translate directly to military training, where soldiers must remain calm and effective in life-or-death scenarios.
- Application in Military Training: By incorporating elements of MMA training, soldiers learn to manage the adrenaline and stress of combat, improving their ability to stay composed under fire and make strategic decisions in chaotic environments.
2. Mental Toughness
MMA requires an immense amount of mental toughness. Fighters train to push through fatigue, pain, and fear in the heat of battle. This mental fortitude is similarly required in the military, where soldiers face physically and mentally grueling situations.
- Application in Military Training: MMA training helps soldiers develop mental toughness by simulating high-pressure situations in which they must continue fighting through exhaustion and discomfort. This mental resilience is crucial for soldiers who may have to endure long missions or intense combat environments.
Real-Life Examples of MMA in the Military
Several military branches around the world have officially adopted MMA-style training as part of their combat preparation programs. The U.S. Marine Corps, for instance, incorporates martial arts into its Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), which combines elements of MMA with traditional military combat techniques. Similarly, the U.S. Army’s Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP) integrates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and boxing into its hand-to-hand combat training.
In these programs, soldiers are trained in the fundamentals of MMA, including striking, grappling, and submissions, to prepare them for close-quarters combat scenarios. These programs emphasize adaptability and realism, using live sparring and drilling to simulate combat conditions as closely as possible.
Advantages of Incorporating MMA into Military Training
MMA provides several key advantages over more traditional martial arts when it comes to military training:
- Versatility: MMA is a hybrid sport that draws on multiple martial arts, making it highly adaptable to various combat scenarios. This versatility is ideal for soldiers who need to be prepared for any situation, from subduing an enemy to defending themselves in hand-to-hand combat.
- Realism: MMA training focuses on practical, real-world techniques that can be applied under pressure. This focus on realism makes it an excellent fit for military combat training, where soldiers need to be prepared for unpredictable situations.
- Physical Conditioning: MMA fighters are known for their exceptional physical conditioning, which includes endurance, strength, and agility. These attributes are also essential for soldiers, who must be in peak physical condition to succeed in combat.
Conclusion
MMA’s influence on military combat training has revolutionized the way soldiers prepare for hand-to-hand combat. By integrating striking, grappling, and submission techniques, MMA offers a versatile and practical system that can be applied to real-world combat situations. In addition to its physical benefits, MMA also helps soldiers build the mental toughness and stress management skills necessary for survival in high-pressure environments.
As military training continues to evolve, the integration of MMA will likely remain a critical component in preparing soldiers for the complexities of modern combat.
Exclusive FAQs:
- Why is MMA useful in military combat training?
- MMA provides a well-rounded skill set that includes striking, grappling, and submission techniques, which are essential for close-quarters combat and controlling opponents in non-lethal situations.
- How does MMA help with stress management in combat?
- MMA trains soldiers to stay calm and make quick decisions under pressure, simulating the stress and chaos of real combat, which helps them manage their emotions in high-stress military environments.
- Which MMA techniques are most commonly used in military training?
- Techniques like striking (elbows, knees), grappling (takedowns, submissions), and ground fighting (escaping, defending) are commonly used to prepare soldiers for various combat scenarios.
