Pankration vs MMA is a very interesting match, style wise.
MMA represents the height of development of martial arts fighting in competition.
MMA has taken the very best of a variety of styles to establish a complete fighting system suited to one on one combat within a set of rules that govern mixed martial arts.
Pankration is much much older.
It is an ancient fighting system and combat sport that is similar to MMA in a lot of ways but that is much older.
It would be quite a spectacle to witness a Pankration vs MMA match up in the modern era of combat sports.
And while this may be almost impossible to see.
It still sets up a unique comparison of the two combat sports and fighting styles that we can discuss and analyze.
By considering factors such as techniques and rule set, we can set up a plausible scenario of a great match up of styles between Pankration vs MMA.
So lets break down these two unique combat arts and see how they match up.
What is Pankration?
Pankration is one of the oldest combat sports in human history.
It was developed and practiced in Ancient Greece and has its origins in Greek mythology and as well as Greco-Roman wrestling.
Pankration is probably the worlds first mixed or hybrid martial art, combining striking and grappling with submissions.
Pankration is a combination of boxing and wrestling techniques and also includes joint locks, chokes, kicks and takedowns.
Translated into English, Pankration means “all force”
Pankration was part of the military training in many of the ancient Greek city-states and was the core part of combat training of the hoplites which was the famous Greek infantry.
How Was Pankration Fought?
Pankration was a part of the ancient Olympic games.
It is believed to have been entered in the Ancient Olympics in around 648 BC.
In Pankration competition the only prohibited techniques were:
- Biting
- Eye gouging
- Attacking the genitals
Pretty much all other combat techniques were permitted.
Pankration VS MMA Rules
Although similar in combat style, by way of mixing grappling and striking with submissions, there are a number of major differences in rules between the two combat sports.
Weight Classes
Modern MMA includes weight classes that pretty much follow Professional Boxing weight classes so that MMA fighters are evenly matched up in terms of weight in a competition.
In Pankration there were no weight classes.
However competitions wered divided up between an Adult Mens competition and Boys competition.
Time Limits
Modern MMA includes times rounds of 5 minutes and are usually limited to 3 rounds and 5 rounds in a Championship fight.
In Pankration, however there were no time limits.
The fight continued until one of the fighters submitted i.e. gave up, was knocked out or judges could also award a winner and stop the fight.
Multi-Fight Tournaments
Pankration competitions took place in tournaments.
This is in comparison to modern day MMA which no longer features multi-fight tournaments such as the original UFC were Royce Gracie won the tournament by defeating three opponents in one night.
According to Wikipedia:
There is evidence that the major Games in Greek antiquity easily had four tournament rounds, that is, a field of sixteen athletes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration
Protective Gear
In modern MMA protective gear including a groin guard, mouth guard and gloves with taped up wrists and knuckles are standard.
In Pankration no such protective gear was used.
Pankration vs MMA Techniques
Similar to MMA, Pankration consisted of stand up – Ano Pankration or Upper Pankration and ground fighting ot Kato Pankraiton lower pankration.
Fighting Stance
The fighting stance of MMA and Pankration can be seen as quite similar with a slightly turned stance but not to the extent of modern day boxing or Karate/Taekwondo’s ‘bladed stance’.
As both MMA and Pankration need to guard against both strikes and grappling attacks the fighting stance are quire similar in this regard.
Striking
Punches
The punches used in both MMA and Pankration feature modern boxing style punches although the MMA striker has more hand protection with taped up wrists and hands and the use of MMA gloves.
Kicks
Kicks were an integral part of Pankration with the most recognisable Pankration kick being very similar to the MMA front kick or muay thai teep.
However unlike the muay thai teep or MMA/kickboxing front kick, the Pankration front kick focussed on striking with the heel of bottom of the foot rather than the ball of the foot.
The Pankration kick to the stomach was known as the gastrizien.
According to wikipedia the front kick in Pankration “was apparently a common technique, given the number of depictions… on vases.”.
The main kick used to cause damage in MMA is the roundhouse kick which is mainly taken from muay thai.
Not much information exists on the use of a similar ‘round kick’ in Pankration, in comparison to the well recognized gastrizien or front kick to the stomach.
Submissions
Accoring to statistics from ONE Championship which is the biggest MMA fighting promotion in Asia, the most common and effective submissions used are:
- Rear Naked Choke
- Guillotine choke
- Armbar
- Arm Triangle
- Triangle
Each of these submissions have their roots in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and each have a Japanese name which draws its roots from Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu practice before Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
In Pankration, submission techniques included:
- Leg locks and techniques similar to the modern day straight-ankle lock and the heel hook.
- Single shoulder lock – the athlete has the opponent’s right arm straightened out and extended maximally backward at the shoulder joint.
- Elbow lock – or single arm bar lock
- Arm bar shoulder lock combination
- Tracheal grip choke – grabbing the wind pipe between thumb and four fingers and squeezing.
- Choke from behind with forearm – similar to a rear naked choke or forearm choke in modern MMA or BJJ
Pankration VS MMA – Final Thoughts
It would be very difficult to determine based on discussion alone who would win a fight between a high level Panraktisast and moder MMA Champion.
But there are definitely areas where one would potentially have an advantage of the other.
But it all depends on the rule set the Pankration vs MMA competition would take place.
Here are some important factors to consider in discussing a unique competition between Pankration vs MMA:
i) Pankration is used to fighting bigger and heavier opponents as well as fighting without time limits and without protective gear such as groin guards, gloves and mouth guards.
Could this potentially make the Pankration fighter tougher? Potentially, yes. But a single well placed and timed round kick to the head could end a fight instantly for an MMA fighter who excels with kicks.
ii) MMA Fighters are Better Fighting Off their Back
Being well versed in BJJ, a modern day MMA fight potentially oculd have an advantage by being better versed at fighting off of their back and potentially surprising a Pankration fighter with an arm bar or even triangle choke whicle being in a less superior position i,e on their back.
iii) Wide Varity of Submissions in MMA
A modern day MMa fighter would most likely have experience in wrestling and grappling and be familaiir with the majority of the submissions and locks used in Pankraiton and how to escape and avoid them.
With a wider variety of extremely effective submissions available in MMA and the complexity of BJJ and ground work, especially fighting off their backs, this would present a unique advantage to an MMA fighter.
The likes of which a Pankration fighter from the old days would not have seen.
