For those who don't know, I am a mixed martial arts fighter. Mixed martial arts is “a sport allowing a wide range of fighting techniques, including striking, kicking and grappling.” (www.merriam-webster.com) This is a compilation of forms from different martial arts. Two fighters will each face off in the rings (called an octagon because of its shape) for three to five five-minute rounds. I started taking martial arts classes when I was six years old. I wanted to be a mixed martial arts fighter my whole life. I loved the idea of ​​getting into the octagon and punching someone senseless like a sport. At first, my mother and father did not want me to take Taekwondo classes because of this fact. It took a lot of begging to finally convince them to let me do it. They realized that it is very important for any child to learn some type of martial arts. It is essential to use it for defense. Mixed martial arts is what helped me cope with my difficult childhood and made me who I am today. Over the past twenty years, the sport of MMA has revolutionized and become very popular across the world. Despite this, other people are very hesitant to accept mixed martial arts. The sport of MMA is gradually becoming a safer sport. Although it is considered a dangerous sport, other sports are found to be more dangerous. Martial arts classes and training consist of lessons and exercises to improve strength, speed, cardio, footwork and flexibility. The first martial art I learned was Taekwondo. Taekwondo strikes primarily include kicks, but also contain punches and chops. Learning Taekwondo increases speed, cardio, footwork and flexibility. Taekwondo is considered one of the most brutal mixed martial arts, it...... middle of paper ......riam-webster.com/dictionary/mixed%2520martial%2520arts>."New York MMA Bill Falls Short of the vote." Report on money launderers. Internet. ". "Quick quote: Dana White says proper regulation of MMA will prevent deaths." MMA LowKick. Internet. .Washington, Tim. "Cheerleaders risk serious injury, even death, to support their teams ." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, October 4, 2008. Web. "Which is more dangerous: boxing or MMA? » Ask the men. Internet. April 30. 2014. .