The Shamrocks believe they have started MMA because they brought Shoot fighting to the “UFC” and then modified it into a MMA. Frank and Ken Shamrock also fought in the “King Of Pancrase(KOP)” championship. They took fighters to ground and made there opponents learn how to adapt(which they have been using in Shoot fighting and “KOP”). Ken’s memorable fight with Royce Gracie in the “UFC” in 1995 was spectacular. The fight was brought to the ground real fast and from there it was like watching two geniuses playing an intense game of chess. Thirty six minutes and six seconds later the fight was stopped and considered a draw. After the fight Ken’s carrier shot up in the “UFC” and he became a hall of famer and a “Super Fight”champion. Frank shamrock was a 5 time “UFC” middle weight champion and a “King Of Pancrase” winner. These two guys have inspired fighters around the world and became heroes to most. If it wasn’t for the shamrocks there would be no MMA.

Frank Shamrock

Ken Shamrock

The Gracie Family feels that they started MMA because of the early days in the “UFC”. Royce Gracie shook up the Martial Arts world with perfect checkmate submissions and excellent take downs. While his brother Rorion Gracie helped build the “UFC” and promoted the Gracie name in every home in America. I know the Gracies had a good name around the world but not in America. I think that the “UFC” did good for the Gracie name and MMA is nothing without the Gracies. Here is a good article I found that explains allot about Royce Gracie and his family.

Exclusive Interview - MMA Legend Royce Gracie

Gracie family

There are two families in the MMA world that love to take credit for MMA. The Gracie Family and the Shamrock Family. both are excellent at their arts and are both pioneers of MMA but the question is still “who started MMA?”.

Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) is combined with various martial arts. The most popular are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission wrestling, American Boxing, Muay Tai and American Kickboxing. MMA was created in the early 90’s, by the combination of various Martial Artists meeting in a fighting competition called the “Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC)”. The “UFC” was formed to find out what Martial Art was the best. In the end all the stand up striking styles found them selfs on the ground being pounded and submitted by ground fighters such as Royce Gracie & Ken Shamrock. In order to survive strikers had to learn how to fight on the ground and ground fighters had to learn to fight standing. Mixed Martial Arts was born.