PhD V.M. Voronov¹
Dr. Hab., Professor A.A. Gorelov^{2, 3}
PhD, Associate Professor G.A. Ivakhnenko⁴
Dr. Hab., Professor O.G. Rumba^{3, 5}
PhD, Associate Professor E.A. Klokov^2
1Alexander Nevsky Sports club, Stary Oskol
²Saint Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (Kaliningrad Branch), Kaliningrad
³North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk
⁴Saint Petersburg University of the State Fire Service EMERCOM of Russia, Saint Petersburg
⁵Military Institute of Physical Culture, St. Petersburg

Objective of the study was to follow the trajectory of development of mixed martial arts in respect of the retrospective aspect and to foresee prospects for their further improvement.
Methods and structure of the study. The study included a theoretical analysis and generalization of literature, monitoring of Internet sites, search for and analysis of the information on the issues of origin and further development of mixed martial arts in Russia and abroad.
Results and conclusions. From today’s perspective, it can be said that this movement has contributed not only to the strengthening of interethnic ties, interchange and enrichment of ethnic schools but has also laid the groundwork for a new type of martial arts. Having emerged on the cusp of centuries, mixed martial arts have become widespread in many countries right off, which, in turn, has necessitated the systematization of the existing directions and movements. Modern mixed martial arts are represented by several actively developing areas, among which the most popular are PRIDE in Japan, M1 in Russia, and UFC in the USA. Based on the analytical studies, the authors conclude that mixed martial arts, as a type of martial arts, has found its place in modern society as an autonomous, systemically structured and dynamically developing type of combat sports.

Keywords: mixed martial arts, Pankration, Jeet Kune-Do, Bartitsu, Judo, Wushu Sanda, Sambo, MMA, UFC, PRIDE, М1.

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