The term “No Holds Barred” in [Mixed Martial Arts][1] refers to fighting without restrictions. It is akin to fighting without limitations.
It is controversial and for many, fighting without any rules and restrictions in place is not to be considered sports at all.
No Holds Barred in the MMA
Today’s MMA matches are polished and highly regulated. This is done to make sure that the players are safe and that the games are fair. But that wasn’t always the case.The very early excursions of MMA in the United States, specifically that of the [Ultimate Fighting Championships][2] (UFC) were nothing short of barbaric. There were technically no rules aside from three – no biting, no eye-gouging, and no groin strikes.
The players played in an octagon-shaped arena. Promoters even considered electrifying the fence that surrounded the octagon.
Fights were advertised as being “rule-free” or “no holds barred”.
The early UFC bouts had no judges, time limits, or even rounds. Matches were ended via knockout or by an opponent throwing in the towel.
Modern Regulations
Today it is very different. Years of gameplay, protests and state regulations have led to the modern rules that are followed by UFC games. These rules are also followed by many other MMA clubs the world over.The rules were standardized and listed down as the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. MMA fights today follow these rules.
The goal of the rules is to make the games fair and to give the athletes playing it better protection.
No Holds Barred Games in the Present Day
MMA games held today are sanctioned by many governing bodies that implement unified rules. However, this does not rule out the presence of underground games that are “no holds barred”.In certain countries, like Brazil, “No Holds Barred” events are still held. But it is not done under any official ruling by registered MMA groups or clubs.
These games are usually marked under [Vale Tudo][3].
Vale Tudo
Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport that was popular in Brazil in the early to late 20th century.Like MMA, it uses techniques from a wide range of martial arts disciplines. Since the 1960s, the sport is mostly played in underground events. It is brutal and events usually end up with players having broken limbs or worse.
Up to the present day, it is still being practiced widely throughout Brazil. They remain controversial.
Many opponents of the sport suggest that Vale Tudo should adopt the Unified Rules of MMA as created by the Athletics Commission of the United States. Many argue, however, that the Unified Rules are no safer than the traditional Vale Tudo rules.
They also argue that no player has ever been killed or permanently disabled while playing Vale Tudo under the traditional rules.
[1]: https://www.sportspundit.com/mma/
[2]: https://www.sportspundit.com/mma/terms/3084-ufc
[3]: https://www.sportspundit.com/mma/terms/3085-vale-tudo