Is capoeira useful in MMA?

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Capoeira is an Afro- Brazilian martial art. It is  practiced in disguise and performed to musical instruments and traditional Brazilian songs. The martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics,music and spirituality, apart from conventional religious practice. Born of the melting pot of enslaved Africans, Indigenous Brazilians and Portuguese influences at the beginning of the 16th century. Capoeira is a constantly evolving art form. In this article we shall discuss if Capoeira is useful in MMA.

Capoeira:

Unlike other martial arts, the participants in Capoeira are constantly in motion because of the basic movement, the ginga.The  is the fundamental footwork of Capoeira. Its constant triangular footwork makes Capoeira easily recognizable. It is also confusing, since it looks much more like a rhythmic dance step than an orthodox static fighting stance.

Capoeira is a fast and versatile martial art that historically focuses on fighting when outnumbered or at a technological disadvantage. The style emphasizes using the lower body to kick, sweep and take down their aggressors. The upper part of the body is used to assist those movements and occasionally attack the opponent as well. Besides fighting purposes, Capoeira will make you stronger and fitter than you ever imagined. It will help you to develop more strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility than your average kickboxing or aerobics class provides. The basis for Capoeira is the constant motion of your body, dancing side-to-side and front to back.

Capoeira not incorporated in MMA:

Capoeira is visually very impressive, that’s why its techniques are used a lot in movie fight scenes. While MMA is not a picture. It is a combat sport. A live sensational fight that the audience enjoys. MMA’s fighting techniques are taken from popular martial arts all over the world. Compared to those martial arts, Capoeira’s effectiveness in MMA fighting is limited. Of course a fighter can use Capoeira in MMA the same way Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai are used. Capoeira is a sport that doesn’t have rules like Krav Maga.   It comprises specific offensive and defensive movements. As a matter of fact, African people who were captured by the Portuguese and brought to Brazil to be slaves in the 1500s. The slaves were forced to work to harvest sugarcane. These slaves created the earliest form of Capoeira. They used Capoeira to fight to escape and resist capture, but concealed its combative purpose through music, song, and dance. After the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888, Capoeira was declared illegal and its practitioners were socially ostracized for more than 40 years. Very few MMA fighters trained in the art of Capoeira. We know the names who trained it were McGregor and Anderson Silva.

Conclusion:

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art form, combining self-defense, acrobatics, dance, music and song. It was developed by slaves who used it to disguise the fact that they were practicing fight moves.The martial art practiced by the slaves  earnestly meant to free themselves from the shackles in order to be a free agent. Capoeira is a mission-based martial art and it has no rules. Therefore it can hardly be included in MMA as a useful technique for sport.

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