The Evolution of MMA: From Ancient Combat to Global Elite Sport
Mixed Martial Arts, better known as MMA, is today one of the fastest-growing combat sports in the world. With superstars like Conor McGregor, Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya, and Jon Jones, the sport has become a global phenomenon. But MMA is much more than brute force and knockouts—it’s a discipline rooted in centuries-old combat traditions that has rapidly evolved into a structured, technically refined sport. In this blog, we’ll take you through the rich history and spectacular development of MMA, with special attention to the Dutch role in this international fighting arena.
Although MMA in its current form only gained worldwide recognition in the 1990s, the idea of mixed combat arts is centuries old. In ancient Greece, a similar sport called Pankration existed—a combination of boxing and wrestling with very few rules. Forms of all-around combat sports were also practiced in the Roman Empire, India, China, and Thailand.
In these early times, rules were minimal, and the goal was simple: defeat your opponent using any technique you mastered. This philosophy is the foundation of modern MMA.
The rise of MMA as we know it today began in the 1920s and 1930s in Brazil, where Japanese judo master Mitsuyo Maeda introduced the Gracie family to Judo. The Gracies developed their own style from this: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). This fighting style focuses on taking the fight to the ground and dominating opponents with submissions.
In 1993, the first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) was organized in the United States. Royce Gracie, a lean fighter with a BJJ background, stunned the world by defeating opponents of various styles. This proved that technique is more important than brute strength, paving the way for modern MMA.
While UFC 1 started without weight classes, time limits, or many rules, MMA has since grown into a professionally organized sport with:
Weight classes
5-minute rounds
Protective gear and gloves
Banned techniques like eye gouging and elbow strikes to the back of the head
Thanks to this professionalization, the sport became safer, more appealing to the general public, and recognized by sports commissions worldwide.
The Netherlands has played a significant role in the combat sports world for decades, and the country has also built a strong reputation in MMA. Originally, many Dutch MMA fighters came from kickboxing, making the transition from the ring to the cage a logical step.
Alistair Overeem
One of the most famous Dutch MMA fighters. He competed in Pride, Strikeforce, K-1, and the UFC. Overeem was known for his explosive power, technical striking, and impressive physique.
Bas Rutten
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Pancrase legend. Rutten combined taekwondo, karate, and later submission grappling into a unique style. He was a pioneer in thinking about well-rounded fighters.
Gegard Mousasi
A quiet force in the MMA world. Mousasi fought in Dream, Strikeforce, UFC, and Bellator, where he became world champion. With a background in kickboxing and judo, he is one of the most versatile fighters ever.
Marloes Coenen
One of the first female MMA champions worldwide. She fought in Strikeforce and Bellator, putting women's MMA on the international map.
MMA has developed into a sport where the most successful fighters excel in multiple disciplines:
Striking (boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai)
Grappling (wrestling, judo, BJJ)
Conditioning and mindset
The era when one style dominated is over. Today, you see complete athletes who can switch between punches, kicks, takedowns, and submissions.
While the UFC is the biggest name in MMA, there are many other global organizations contributing to the sport’s growth:
Bellator MMA – featuring many European fighters
ONE Championship – dominant in Asia
PFL (Professional Fighters League) – unique seasonal format
KSW – big in Eastern Europe
These organizations ensure competition, innovation, and international exposure for fighters worldwide.
Dutch gyms like Mike’s Gym, Team Schrijber, Tatsujin Dojo, and Kops Gym have international prestige. Many top fighters even come to the Netherlands to train due to the high level of striking.
Additionally, the sport is growing at the amateur level:
More youth programs
Collaborations with combat sports federations
Tournaments under IMMAF (International MMA Federation)
Women’s MMA has skyrocketed since Ronda Rousey’s UFC debut in 2012. Today, champions like Amanda Nunes, Valentina Shevchenko, and Zhang Weili are just as famous as their male counterparts.
In the Netherlands, women’s MMA is also growing, with more female fighters, trainers, and events. The sport’s inclusivity has broadened its appeal and societal acceptance.
Like kickboxing, more people are choosing MMA as a recreational sport for:
Full-body workouts
Confidence and discipline
Self-defense
Mental resilience
Whether you want to step into the cage or just get fitter—MMA offers an intense, versatile workout that challenges you physically and mentally.
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From compression shirts and fight shorts to shin guards and gloves—every product is tested by professional fighters.
Here’s a teaser:
Our new Performance MMA Glove is coming soon. Keep an eye on our blogs and newsletters for more info on this release. What we can tell you is that this is our highest-quality MMA glove yet—tested by numerous UFC fighters and champions during development. You won’t want to miss this!
MMA is not a fad. It’s a sport with a rich history, a strong future, and a place for everyone—from elite athletes to recreational practitioners.
The Netherlands has left its mark on the global stage and remains a breeding ground for talent and innovation. At Joyagear, we’re proud to be part of this evolution.
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