Definition of cage fighting

The term "cage fighting" is commonly used to describe a type of full-contact combat sport known as mixed martial arts (MMA). The use of a cage, also called an octagon, in MMA events was popularized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest and oldest MMA promotion company in the world. The precise origin of the term "cage fighting" within the context of MMA is unclear, but it likely derives from the use of a fenced cage in MMA matches to prevent competitors from being pushed out of the fighting area by an opponent or by accident. The cage provides a safer boundary and enables MMA matches to be conducted more safely than other forms of bare-knuckle or full-contact fighting, which may take place in rings, on mats, or in improvised spaces. The popularity of MMA and the use of the term "cage fighting" has grown significantly in recent years, with major events broadcast worldwide and an increasing number of professional athletes choosing to pursue careers in this fast-evolving sport. However, the term "cage fighting" is sometimes used derisively to refer to MMA by those who believe that the sport is too violent or lacks the structure and governing bodies associated with other combat sports. Nonetheless, MMA continues to attract both fans and criticism, and the use of the term "cage fighting" looks set to remain a defining feature of this intense and popular sport.