Freestyle fighting

Hybrid martial arts, also known as hybrid fighting systems or sometimes eclectic martial arts or freestyle fighting, refer to martial arts or fighting systems that incorporate techniques and theories from several particular martial arts (eclecticism). While numerous martial arts borrow or adapt from other arts and to some extent could be considered hybrids, a hybrid martial art emphasizes its disparate origins.

The idea of hybridization or "mixing" of martial arts traditions originates in the 19th to early 20th century, when Asian traditions first came to the attention of European practitioners.

The concept rose to wide popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, with the development of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do (1967) that uses aspects derived from various arts including Wing Chun and Western boxing; Kajukenbo (1947) which combines Karate, Judo/Jujitsu, Kenpo and Western Boxing; modern kickboxing styles that incorporate elements of Karate, Muay Thai and Western boxing; and Krav Maga, an Israeli military combat and self-defense fighting system incorporating Western boxing, savate, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Judo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and grappling.

Since 1993, hybridization of martial arts has culminated in the development of mixed martial arts (MMA), a practice which combined the already hybridized styles of Brazilian Vale tudo fighting and kickboxing, among others. The term mixed martial arts, while in its literal meaning a synonym, has come to refer this specific combat sport.

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