Sport allows for a mix of various traditions

Dubai: Xtreme Kombat League (XKL) has made a clear statement of its determination to revolutionise the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) with the appointment of Al Low, who, for the past eight years has served as Chairman of Michigan's Boxing Commission and Unarmed Combat Commission.

"I see this move to XKL as my life's next adventure," said Low.

"I'm truly impressed with the level of commitment that this exciting new league is showing to both developing the sport and the long-term careers of the athletes, and am delighted to be part of what I believe will prove to be the future of MMA right around the world."

Low's vast experience will be invaluable as XKL looks to take MMA to an entirely new level on the world sporting stage. In addition to his time as Chairman of Michigan's Boxing Commission and Unarmed Combat Commission, Low boasts a CV that includes over 30 years of experience in the field of entertainment and promotion, with 28 years of that time in boxing.

Low has promoted many boxing events and fundraisers around the world, including the first-ever professional boxing event in China. He also promoted three of Thomas Hearns' fights (one of which holds the record for the largest ever attendance at a boxing event in Detroit) and was manager of former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks for seven years.

"It is a major coup for us to bring Al onto the XKL team, and this shows our total determination to succeed," said Eric Rafiq, President and CEO of XKL.

"Al has incredible experience, amazing respect from the sports world and knows everyone who's anyone in international boxing and we are proud to welcome him on board."

Dubai Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that features a wide range of fighting techniques, a mixture of martial arts traditions, and even moves that have evolved along the way. It allows the use of striking, clinch-fighting and ground-fighting techniques, thus giving martial arts fighters from many different backgrounds and disciplines the opportunity to compete, relying on their individual skills.

While different forms of unorganised, no-rules, unarmed combat predate history, the earliest documented, minimal-rules organised fighting event on record is the ancient Greek pankration, a forerunner of modern MMA, which was introduced into the Olympic Games in 648 BC.

No-holds-barred events reportedly took place in the late 1800s when wrestlers representing a wide variety of fighting styles (including various catch-wrestling styles and Greco-Roman wrestling, amongst others) met for tournaments and music-hall challenge matches throughout Europe.

In the USA the first major modern-day encounter between a boxer and a wrestler took place in 1887, with John L. Sullivan, then world heavyweight boxing champion, entering the ring to take on his trainer, Greco-Roman wrestling champion William Muldoon — the combat ended after just two minutes, with Sullivan slammed to the mat.

Modern history

The history of modern MMA competition can be traced back to the mixed style contests that took place throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s, a period that saw the Gracie family's vale tudo martial arts tournaments in Brazil during the 1920s.

Modern mixed martial arts competition first entered American popular culture in 1993 — originally organised with the intention of finding the most effective martial arts for real unarmed combat situations. In the following decade, MMA promoters adopted many additional rules aimed at increasing safety for competitors and to promote mainstream acceptance of the sport.