Pit Fighting
Encyclopedia
Pit fighting is a martial art
developed in the United States
from indigenous fighting methods, namely street fighting
.
Pit fighting is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes but also involves basic grappling
techniques. It has its origins among outlaw motorcycle gangs in Orange County, California
, USA
where fighters who were not in organized combat sports such as boxing
, kickboxing
or mixed martial arts
fought in pits for money, pride and respect.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
developed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from indigenous fighting methods, namely street fighting
Street fighting
Street fighting is a colloquial term used to denote unsanctioned, illegal in some countries, hand-to-hand fighting in public places, between individuals or groups of people....
.
Pit fighting is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes but also involves basic grappling
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
techniques. It has its origins among outlaw motorcycle gangs in Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where fighters who were not in organized combat sports such as boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
or mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
fought in pits for money, pride and respect.