Martial Arts was created in Asian countries as a system of armed and unarmed

fighting techniques to help peasants defend against bandits. There are several different

styles of martial arts from different countries from different parts of the world but all

promote self- confidence, assertiveness and concentration. Also in Martial Arts no one style is

greater than another. As well as a form of exercise and self-defense. A martial arts school called

a Dojo, the atmosphere should be friendly and any persons should be able to join and see if it is

right for them. After a few months the persons should earn the first ranking. The arts are made to

be enjoyed and gain benefits from it (Goldmen, 1997). In Martial Arts the overall goal to defeat

your opponent some are even linked to religion like Buddhism in Kung Fu. All over the United

States different style of Martial Arts are taught. The Japanese style karate that was introduced to

America in 1946 has more U.S. students than anywhere else (Corcoran, 1990).

The UFC, “Ultimate Fighting Championship,” was started thirteen years ago in

1993. Long ago in ancient Rome it was called Pankration a modern version of Greco

(Montgomery). The UFC has included some of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters. Robert

Meyrewitz, Art Danie and Royce Gracie (Montgomery). When the UFC was still in development

and trying to gain the respect in the martial arts community, observers were shocked and

disgusted by the fights. John McCain called it “human cock-fights” and wanted its abolishment

(scelfo, 2006). One of the earlier fighters Royce Gracie of Brazilian or Gracie Ju jutsu. He has

amazing ground-fighting and grappling abilities, which stunned other artists. Another earlier

fighter was Ken Shamkrock a Janpanese Submission fighter. At Gracie’s earlier competitions

with the UFC Gracie walked away with the UFC’s 1, 2, and 4 (Montgomery).

Gracie developed his own style of fighting using submission holds, punching power and kicks. In

the UFC there are only a few rules” only biting, fish hooking, eye gouging and throat strides

were illegal (Montgomery). The first UFC tournament, “UFC’ the beginning was on November

12,1993. the tournament allowed a limitless number of five minute rounds. The fights were

finished by either knockout or tap out. The rounds were mostly no more than one or two rounds

each. The ring was called the Octagon and its creator is an unnamed Hollywood producer

(Montgomery).

On March 11, 1994 rounds and time limits were removed. This made fighters more

matched for the UFC 2 but cause problems for home viewers the fights still went on but pay –

per-view time block ended. These problems led the UFC officials to re-institute time limits for

all of the fights (Montgomery). In UFC 3 a September 4, 1994 Taekwando artist Kino Leopold

almost beat Royce Gracie. The first UFC 5 “super fight” took place on March 7, 1995

(Montgomery).

The first UFC event to feature judges was on December 16, 1995 (Montgomery). Judges

were used to determine bouts and time limits were becoming necessities. By UFC 8 much

had changed seven out of eight fights were won by either punches or strikes. The UFC has

slowly changed the rules of art and engagement (Montgomery). UFC and LLC came under new

ownership of Zuffa in January 2001. The MMA (mixed Martial Arts) was completely,

restructured in to a controlled and organized combat sport (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

The UFC offers six to eight time pay – per – view events through cable and satellite and were

shown around the world (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Broadcasting of the UFC as a game

to the WOWOW, inc. in Japan.Globosat in Brazil and Bravo in the United Kingdom. Also the far

base has grown. The largest audience to see a UFC event was in Las Vegas were 14,500 people

attending (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Later a reality series was in the making “The

Ultimate Fighter” had record ratings for its first season. The series was shown on Spike TV, with

the success of the series caused a strategic partnership with the spike for two years. (Ultimate

Fighting Championship). Soon the UFC would eclipse the NBA (National Basketball

Association), NHL (National Hockey League) and the MLB (Major League Baseball) in cable

ratings. Fans of UFC love the no-holds combat and unlike the WWE it isn’t staged (Scelfo).

Bernard Fernandez of the Philadelphia Daily News said; “I no longer can look the other way.”

UFC has made 3.1 million more than WWE. “This is going to be the biggest combat sport in

the world.” – Dana White UFC President (Scelfo). In UFC 62 made 3.1 million more than

WWE “This thing is only getting bigger,” he said, “We’re going to be around for a long time.” –

Dana White UFC Prsident (Scelf).

Karate means “Empty Hand” in Japanese (Karate, 2002). Karate is another

popular of unarmed combat and uses blows by hands and feet. Moral purpose,

positive attitude and self – discipline is what Karate emphasizes on. The art originated in

Okinawa and is more then 1400 years old. In the early years it was used by peasants to

defend against bandits (karate, 2002).

The creator of Zen Buddhism, Daruma, saw that his followers were falling from

exhaustion. For his followers to have more strength and endurance he created more training

systems, he made into a book called Ekkin-Kyo. The first book of Karate (History of Karate).

Daruma’s principles met physical training that was taught at the Shaolin Temple in 500 A.D

(History of Karate). The Kung-Fu style that came from northern China and the Shokei school

from southern China has more powerfull techniques. Soon these two styles found their way to

Okinawa. Okinawa-te or meaning “Okinawa hand” was already created as a fighting method

(History of Karate). Karate was introduced to Japan in 1916 by Master Gichin Funakoshi. He

taught the Okinawan style as discipline, his method became known as Shotokan. Master

Funakoshi’s pen name is “House of Shoto” (History of Karate). It became popular in Japan.

Master Gichin Funakoshi became known as the “Father of Karate”. Tsutomu Ohskima was one

of Master Funakoshi’s last students from 1948 to 1953. Ohskima was the first person to teach

karate in the U.S. publicly (History of Karate). In 1959 the “Southern California Karate

Association” (SCKA) was founded. In July 1959 in the United States, special training was held

and in December, Ohshima awarded six of his students to the rank of black belt (History of

Karate). Making those six the first American-trained black belts in Shotokan Karate. The six

Americans that were honored were: Caylor Adkins, George Murakami, Mas Norihiro, Jordorn

Roth, Roe Suzuki and George Takahashi. Master Funakoshi died in Japan in 1957 (History of

Karate). Three years after Ohshima lead a tour of Okinawa and its karate and its karate expects to

Waseda Karate Club black belts. These were the first official students since World War II to visit

the island (History of Karate). In 1967 Ohshima brought students to demonstrate and tour Japan

for two weeks. The first Captain of the Keio University Karate Club Isao Obata came to the

United States in 1968 to observe and teach Oshima’s students (History of Karate). In 1970, the

first World Karate Championships were held in Tokyo, Japan and five SKA members were

selected to be on the United States Team. In 1976 SKA “Shotokan Karate of America” held a

celebration for their 20th anniversary. At Ohshima’s Dojo in Los Angeles three of his students

would become a fifth dan black belt rank outside of Japan. The highest rank to be earned in

karate (History of Karate). Students of karate wear different colored belts to indicate rank. The

highest levels in karate are from black to fifth that signifies a master (Martial Arts, 2002).

The ancient Chinese art Kung-Fu is another martial art that teaches armed and unarmed

combat (Martial Arts, 2002). This art was originally used in warfare in the Far East. Kung-Fu has

kicks, strikes, throws and other techniques (Martial Arts, 2002). This martial art started long ago

before history was recorded. Schools created styles and forms by imitating fighting techniques

from animals. Soon these techniques became a part of Chinese culture. The Yin/Yang theory was

created into the techniques and was developed into fighting techniques and skills (Jwing-Ming,

1995). During the Han Ming period from 58 to 76 A.D., Buddhism came to China from India. Da

Mo, born about 483 A.D., arrived at Canton, China to meet emperor Liang Wu. The emperpor

didn’t like Da Mo’s Buddhism theory (Jwin- Ming, 1995). Da Mo went back to the Shaolin

Temple and saw that the monks were still weak and sick. Seeing this Da Mo went back into

sedation for nine years when he came out he wrote two books. Yi Jing (Muscle/Tender Changing

Classic) and Xi Sui Jin (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic). Yi Jin Jang taught the priests how to

improve physical strength. This change marked one step in growth of the Chinese martial arts

(Jwing-Ming, 1995) The Xi Sui Jing taught how to clean bone marrow and strengthen their

immune system. Xi Sui Jing was hard to understand and practice. The were passed down secretly

though each generation. Da Mo died at the Shaolin Temple in 536 A.D. and buried on Xiang Er

mountain (Jwing-Ming, 1995). The time between the Sui and Tang dynasty was the

revolutionary period in the 4th year of Tang Gao Zu Wu De in 621 A.D. (Jwing-Ming, 1995).

Later that time Shaolin Temple monks assisted Qin King Li Shi-Ming to protect the wealthy

property of the Shaolin Temple from bandits. After that the monks were called “monk soldiers”

(Jwing-Ming, 1995). The temple continued to absorb martial skills from the outside. In 1312

A.D. a monk Da Zhi came to Shaolin Temple from Japan, thirteen years later he returned to

Japan and spread Shaolin Gongfu to Japanese Martial Arts Society (Jwing-Ming, 1995). After

1911 the Qing dynasty fell and the secrets of Chinese arts were revealed to the public. In 1928

the temple was burned and most priceless books and records on martial arts were lost. The fire

lasted forty days (Jwing-Ming, 1995). President Chiang Kai-Skek in order to preserve Chinese

martial arts established the Naking Central Guoshu Instituteat Nanking in 1928 (Jwing-Ming,

1995). This was the first time that all the different style of martial arts shared knowledge under

the Chinese power. Training was discounted due to World War II (Jwing-Ming, 1995). Shaolin

arts were prohibited after the war because communists ruled China. Later the government saw

the importance of the arts; the traditional training was again encouraged (Jwing-Ming, 1995).

People lost their trust in communist party and choose to not share their knowledge. Soon the

Shaolin Temple received attention from the government by building new building and a hotel.

A team was created called “Martial Arts Investigation Team” it was made by the

government to perverse the arts (Jwing-Ming, 1995). The team’s mission was to save surviving

old masters and put their knowledge to book or videotape form. The book and videotapes were

used widely in China and Taiwan and also used for the general public. The early 1900’s Chinese

martial arts carried traditional way of training. Today Kung Fu is used to maintain a healthy

condition in our physical and mental bodies (Jwing-Ming, 1995). Kung Fu is also used as a form

of self-defense, law enforcement, competitive sports and exercises for physical fitness. Kung Fu

and Karate are the most wide known martial arts (Martial Arts, 2002).

Taekwondo began in Korea and means “the way of the hand and foot” (Southwick,

1998). The mane has only been used since 1955 and roots back to 2,300 years ago. It is a style

that combines Korean foot techniques with Chinese hand techniques (Perry, Taekwondo). To

fight opponents individuals use their bare hands and feet to fight. In competitions points are

based in hits using hands and feet, rounds are three minutes long with one-minute breaks.

Competitors must wear white Taekwondo uniforms (Havsy, 2002). There are also one referee

and three judges. Competitors must also wear protective gear around the competitor’s bodies

(Havsy, 2002). The founded of “Old Korea” Tangun in 2333 B.C. and made communal life into

tribal leagues (Southwick, 1998). In the 6th century A.D. Korean was divided into three

kingdoms: Koguryo, Paekle and Silla (Southwick, 1998). Koguryo (37 B.C. – 600 A.D) was

located at the Han River in the southwestern area of Korea. Silla (57 B.C. – 936 A.D., the last

smallest kingomd and the weakest military (Southwick, 1998). China Heung the 24th king of

Silla formed a group of warriors called Hwarang. The warriors trained in the sword, spear and

bow. SooBak was the name of the martial art the warriors studied. Chin Heung asked a

Buddhism monk names Wan Kang to train the warriors (Southwick, 1998). Later Paekje and

Koguryo unity Korea into one country called Koryo. The Koryo Dynasty was a time of growth

the martial art SooBak was introduced to China and was called KwonPup. New techniques and

mental discipline was added, it soon became a popular sport. The Yi Dynasty (1392 A.D. to

1910) went from Buddhism to Confucianism (Southwick, 1998). The new religion brought

Chinese influence over the government and people. Soon the military began to lose power and

the people began to lose interest in martial arts (Southwick, 1998). During the Japanese takeover

SooBakGi was practiced in secret, soon Japanese arts mixed with Korean. August 15, 1945

Korea was freed from Japan. In Korea there were five kwans or schools. The schools were

called: Mooduck Kwan, Jido Kwan, Changmu Kwan, Chungdo Kwan, and Songmu Kwan

(Southwick, 1998). Each school had a variety of styles. On April 1955 a board of instructors

came up with a new name for the art it was Taekwondo. On May 28, 1973 the World Taekwondo

Federation (WTF) was created by Dr. Un Yon Kim and located in Seaul, Korea (Southwick,

1998). Kwan or school certification are no longer recognized by the WTF (Shaw,2003).

Another Taekwondo association is the ITF, International Taekwondo Federation formed by

General Choi Hang Hi in 1966 (Shaw, 2003). The WTF has more members than ITF, but the

ITF focuses on self-defense (Shaw, 2003). These are the two largest branches of Taekwondo, but

there are smaller unknown organizations (Shaw, 2003). Taekwondo was accepted as an offical

sport by the Amateur Athletes Union (AAU) in 1975. In 2000 Taekwondo became an Olympic

game in Sydney, Australis (Southwick, 1998).

Taekwondo’s philosophy is designed to teach students to raise the body and mind to a

level of physical and mental awareness but keep the training rooted in reality. The overall goal

of Taekwondo is to have physical harmony (Shaw, 2003).

Martial Arts have grown from just teaching in Asian countries to all around the world.

From the Shaolin Temple in ancient China to American fighting style of the “Mixed Martial

Arts” (MMA) and onto the “Ultimate Fighting Championship” (UFC). What was once used for

warfare is now used for self-defense, exercise and a form of entrainment. People young and old

can befit from the martial arts. The Martial Arts have grown and will continue for years to come.