Pankration was an ancient sport introduced in the Greek Olympic games in 648 BC. Many historians believe that although Pankration was not one of the first Olympic sports, it was likely the most popular. Some also argue it to be the first all-encompassing fighting system in human history. This is of course a heavily debated issue in the academic community.

The term comes from the Ancient Greek words "pan" (meaning "all") and "kratos" (meaning "holds") or rather, no holds barred. The term is also used to describe the sport's modern varieties.

Pankration, as practiced in the ancient world, combined elements of both boxing (pygme/pygmachia) and wrestling (pale) to create broad fighting sport similar to today's mixed martial arts. A match was won by submission of the opponent or if the opponent was incapacitated. A contestant could signal submission by raising his hand, but sometimes the only form of submission was unconsciousness or death. Joint locks and choke holds were common techniques of accomplishing this. In fact, there were only two rules: contestants were not allowed to gouge eyes or to bite. Grave, even permanent injuries were common, as an accepted means of disabling the adversary: mainly breaking limbs, fingers or even the neck. Pankration bouts were quite brutal and sometimes life-threatening to the competitors. There were no weight divisions and no time limits. The fighting arena or "ring" was no more than twelve to fourteen-feet square to encourage close-quarter action. Referees were armed with stout rods or switches to enforce the rules against biting and gouging. The rules, however, were often broken by some participants who, realizing they were outclassed by a heavier and stronger foe, would resort to such measures to escape being seriously maimed. The contest itself continued uninterrupted until one of the combatants either surrendered, suffered unconsciousness, or, of course, was killed. Although knockouts were common, most pankration battles were decided on the ground where both striking and submission techniques would freely come into play. Pankratiasts were highly-skilled grapplers and were extremely effective in applying a variety of takedowns, chokes, and punishing joint locks. Strangulation was most feared during ground combat, and was the leading cause of death in matches. A fighter would immediately raise his arm in defeat once his opponent's forearm had secured a firm grip across the windpipe or carotid artery.

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But I am also a full instructor in CSW, a Hybrid Wrestling instructor from Pancrase, Black shirt from AMC Pankration.
JoshLBarnett (Josh Barnett) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:54:04 -0000
But I am also a full instructor in CSW, a Hybrid Wrestling instructor from Pancrase, Black shirt from AMC Pankration.
Pankration: It doesn't involve Ashton Kutcher: http://www.cracked.com/article/180_6-ancient-sports-too-awesome-modern-world_p2
JaySchryer (Jay Schryer) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:25:44 -0000
Pankration: It doesn't involve Ashton Kutcher: http://www.cracked.com/article/180_6-ancient-sports-too-awesome-modern-world_p2
Mixed Martial Arts Bears Striking Resemblance to Ancient Greek Pankration h Subscribe to Pankration RSS feed