Confusing BJJ with karate? An idiot's guide to MMA

THE complete idiot's guide to mixed martial arts has arrived for you here.

BIG NAME: Ronda Rousey, top, celebrates as Cat Zingano kneels on the mat during a UFC 184 mixed martial arts bantamweight title bout. Picture: Mark J. Terrill-AAP

FOLLOWING the successful Las Vegas ventures of two Coast mixed martial artists in Eben Cox and Andy Stanway we've taken a look at the variety of disciplines involved in MMA.

These blokes went into the MMA world amateur championships ready to fight opponents they'd never seen before.

Given the range of martial arts you may come up against it must be an absolute nightmare trying to cover all styles to give yourself the best chance.

Here's our slightly oddball assessment of the main fighting styles you may come up against in MMA.

BATTLE: Daniel Cormier (right) takes down Anderson Silva during their light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 200. Picture: John Locher-AAP

BOXING:

The ancient art form. A science. A thing of beauty.

The art of pugilism is one of the pillars of MMA fighting. Footwork, stance, striking range and stamina are all learned inside the ring.

But there's also something a little disturbing about blokes who want to make a career out of being bashed in the head. Mike Tyson anyone?

The more noble of the lot. In this one if the opponent gets knocked down you don't jump on them to land a few more blows.

MUAY THAI:

Picture boxing. Now add elbows, knees, kicks and spinning backhand punches.

Sounds like a shower of s**t is about to rain down upon you.

Also known as Thai boxing, this is pretty intense action. Don't believe me then check out the video.

Hot tip, don't treat anyone at a bar like a Muppet. These people may look like a pretty average Joe, but they are quick and damaging, so don't be a d***head.

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU:

This is essentially David's playbook from the fables of his battle with Goliath.

Okay so slingshots aren't involved, but BJJ is all about the smaller guys eliminating the advantage of the bigger fighter by getting them on the ground and rumbling down low.

This art is all about locking joints, submissions and is probably responsible for the disturbingly unfashionable line of Tapout clothing.

Once on the ground BJJ action may often look slow-moving or less intense than other art forms but it is just as gruelling and precise.

You do not want to practise your wrestling skills with these guys. Things can go from fun to "I can't breathe" in a matter of seconds.

KARATE:

Sean Connery. Dolph Lundgren. Chuck Norris. I repeat, Chuck Norris. Wesley Snipes. Jean-Claude Van Damme. The Karate Kid I, II and III.

That is all.

TAEKWONDO:

Lightning speed, discipline and focus.

Basically the opposite of any attributes I displayed in a short-lived, mediocre schoolboy rugby career.

These are the people breaking the boards and bricks, flying through the air for a knock-out kick and are difficult customers in the MMA octagon when they can couple it with other skills.

WRESTLING:

Think a rugby league play-the-ball. Now multiply that intensity by about 10 million.

We're not talking about Sting, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin or other 'wrestler/actors'.

This is legitimate, desperate, tactical wrestling that plays such a huge role in MMA fighting.

Many a fight ends on the floor via pin, chokehold or some other forced tapout rather than a stunning knock-out.

That's why there's so much importance given to getting the business done on the floor.

Coupled with one or a number of other skills, ie boxing and taekwondo and near-perfect fighting machines are created as we see more and more in the MMA world with the terrifyingly brutal, efficient men and women that enter the octagon.

So you want to see some of this stuff for yourself?

Joe Hilton and the team at the Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre are putting on Coastal Warfare 9 at Lake Kawana Community Centre on August 27.

For between $40 and $75 you'll get a chance to see some brutal Muay Thai action up close so phone [phone] if you're interested.