USA-MMA is a

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

(MMA) organization based in the United States that was created in 2007 by Gil Guillory, a twenty-year veteran of Mixed Martial Arts. USA-MMA features up and coming MMA stars and veterans based in and around

Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...

. They adhere to the North American Unified Rules of MMA. USA-MMA also has both amateur and professional rankings and titles, but there are no formal declarations of what qualifications a fighter must have to turn pro by the organization. USA-MMA XIV, Return of the Champions, will feature two UFC World Heavyweight Champions.

Ricco Rodriguez Ricco Rodriguez (born August 19, 1977) is an American semi-retired mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 1999, he has competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, EliteXC, I ...

will be in the co-main event and the "world's most dangerous man",

Ken Shamrock Kenneth Wayne Shamrock (''né'' Kilpatrick; born February 11, 1964) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promoter and semi-retired professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and kickboxer. He is best known for his time in Ultimate Fighting Cha ...

, will make his USA-MMA debut. This event is being held at The Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Final Champions

Lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. Notable lightweight ...

(155 lb.) Amateur Champion : Paul Hebbler, Gladiator, Baton Rouge, Louisiana * Middleweight (185 lb.) Amateur Champion : Jeff Wuenschel, Cajun Karate, Lafayette, Louisiana * Middleweight (185 lb.) Professional Champion : Charlie Rader,

Gracie Barra Gracie Barra is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu association with over 800 schools on six continents. The organization was founded by Carlos Gracie, Jr. History Carlos Gracie Jr., who was born in 1956, grew up heavily influenced by his family, especiall ...

, Southshore * Light Heavyweight (205 lb.) Professional Champion : Roman Pizzolato,

, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

STRIKE

Starting with USA-MMA 6: Night of Champions, USA-MMA has started a new strain of Mixed Martial Arts called STRIKE. Fought in a normal sized cage, STRIKE competitors are allowed to use punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, but are not allowed to clinch, go for a takedown, or use any wrestling skills. This new division is patterned after the world-famous K-1 organization, with a few subtle changes. STRIKE is developed to give boxers, kickboxers and other striking sports an opportunity to participate in more events. STRIKE also allows these participants, of striking sports, to transition into MMA. USA-MMA could possibly make this another division but currently fighters are allowed to move back and forth between STRIKE and normal MMA.

List of shows

References

External links

* {{MMA organizations Mixed martial arts organizations Lafayette, Louisiana 2007 establishments in Louisiana Organizations established in 2007 Mixed martial arts in Louisiana