Women are the most extraordinary creation of God. Being a woman, you can easily relate to it! With matchless potential and power, you’re capable of doing and achieving anything in life. Women today are making waves in every field.
Whether it’s flying an aircraft or thrashing opponents in the boxing ring, most likely, they are inclined towards the most popular combat sport, MMA. Mixed martial arts is one of the most admirable choices for men.
Nevertheless, female athletes are breaking the barrier and making a mark in the MMA ring as well. This shift is definitely transforming female athletes’ lives. Want to know how MMA for women can be life-changing for you?
Let’s begin.
| Did you know? The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) introduced its first women’s division in 2013. It started with the Bantamweight division. Since then, they’ve added several more weight classes for women. |
MMA- The ultimate game changer in female combat sport!
Mixed martial arts is full-contact combat. There are various traditional martial arts and fighting disciplines in it. You can find great diversity in the world of MMA. From striking moves like punches and kicks to grappling(submission and takedowns), you can have it all!
Its versatility characterizes MMA. This combat sport is not limited to boxing. You can find a great range of Muay Thai, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to outperform opponents. Ever since the emergence of female MMA fighters took place, this combat sport has become more engaging.
Want to be part of an exciting journey of MMA? Let’s get going.
Historical perspective
Traditionally, MMA is a male-dominant sport. There were societal norms and gender stereotypes that led to the limitations of female MMA sports. However, the late 19th and 20th centuries saw a revolutionary change.
As MMA begins gaining popularity, women from diverse backgrounds participate in various sports. MMA, too, has become a popular choice among all. Here’s how women are breaking stereotypes in MMA.
| Did you know? Female MMA fighters compete in various weight classes. It includes Strawweight (115 pounds), Flyweight (125 pounds), Bantamweight (135 pounds) and Featherweight (145 pounds). |
Breaking stereotypes of women’s combat sport
Ever since the evolution of women’s MMA took place, many stereotypes have emerged. You can find various misconceptions about women’s combat sports. Here are a few of the most common ones.
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Physical inferiority
As per this stereotype, women are known to be physically weak for such demanding combat sports. As a woman, you’ll be considered less strong for MMA.
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Aggressiveness and masculinity
The aggressiveness and masculinity that fuel MMA might be missing in women. Such traits and unfair expectations can discourage female athletes from combat.
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Appearance and femininity
For MMA, women might have to compromise on their femininity and appearance. This stereotype contradicts the beauty notion and traditional femininity.
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Lack of skill and techniques
Misconceptions that women are less skilled and tactful than men have captured attention. For MMA, such misconceptions persist.
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Vulnerability to injuries
Female MMA players are prone to injuries as compared to men. They are considered to be not as equipped as men.
The stereotypes mentioned above have been challenged and broken by various female fighters. You can also join the bandwagon to break it through physical prowess.
MMA as a catalyst for change
By challenging the societal norms in MMA, you can easily stand out as a female MMA player. There are numerous ways to transform your well-being as a female MMA enthusiast. Here’s how.
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Physical confidence
As a female MMA enthusiast, it is vital to develop physical confidence. You can do so by opting for rigorous training and competition. You have to trust your body and abilities to boost your confidence.
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Strength and conditioning
MMA is a combat sport that is heavily dependent on strength and endurance. As a female fighter, you should aim to work on physical fragility and demonstrate resilience.
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Self-defense skills
MMA is one intense combat sport that requires self-defense skills. Learning practical self-defense skills will not allow you to feel vulnerable in the ring.
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Mental resilience
MMA is a sport that not only requires physical strength but mental resilience as well. As a female MMA fighter, you can learn resilience, discipline, and composure. Your mental strength can help you overcome potential challenges in the ring.
Success stories of female MMA fighters
To boost your momentum and confidence for the ultimate battles of MMA, we are here to share something interesting. Success stories of female MMA fighters will charge your energy levels like no other.Here are a few famous female MMA fighter’s stories to seek motivation.
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Amanda Nunes
Amanfa Nunes is a Brazilian two-division UFC champion. She is considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Her powerful striking and grappling skills make her stand out.
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Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina is a Kyrgyzstan MMA fighter. She is the UFC flyweight champion and one of the most skilled fighters of MMA. Her creativity and unorthodox fighting style make her popular.
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Cris Cyborg
Cris is a Brazilian former fighter. She is best known for her aggressive fighting style.
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Rose Namajunas
Rose is from the United States and is a former UFC strawweight champion. Her resilience and ability to overcome challenges are her trademark.
You can seek inspiration from all the renowned MMA fighters to regain your confidence and energy levels.
Challenges for female MMA fighters
As a female MMA fighter, you are most likely to face many obstacles. Nevertheless, there are a few common challenges that you can face along the journey.
- Gender disparity
As a female MMA fighter, you can face significant disparities as compared to male counterparts. You may also have fewer opportunities to compete in high-profile competitions.
- Stereotyping within the sport
The MMA community may encounter biases and stereotypes by coaches, trainers, and referees. These biases can hinder your professional development.
- Weight cutting issues
Similar to male MMA fighters, you may also face weight-cutting issues. Weight-cutting issues can lead to several health implications. You might find it hard to strike a balance between maintaining a healthy weight and performance.
- The mental and emotional toll
MMA can be mentally challenging for new aspirants. However, as a female fighter, you may face additional gender-related expectations and stereotypes.
Find more insights in the FAQ section.
FAQ’s
Is women’s MMA popular?
MMA is becoming popular among women with each passing year. It is the perfect choice of sport for women to showcase their strength, aggressiveness, and competitiveness.
Is MMA the most complex sport?
MMA is a unique blend of strategies and techniques. It requires great amounts of tailoring to combat every type of opponent. Considering such facts, we can say that MMA is a complex sport.
How many rounds are there in women’s MMA?
Typically, there are three rounds of five minutes with a one-minute break in between the rounds. However, if you’re participating in the World Championship, it consists of five rounds with a five-minute break during rounds.
Conclusion
Female MMA fighters have been challenging the norms of society over the years. You can, too, hop over to break the stereotypes by delving into the MMA world. MMA is a great and effective way to transform your life.
Nevertheless, you can take a safe course by opting for quality MMA gear. You can find a variety of ranges at Infinitude Fight. They offer a premium range of MMA gear and apparel for females to help you level up!
Take charge of the ring and transform your life right now!
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