UMMA Combat and Drifter MMA present
Chicago's Annual Battle of the Shields Ultimate Caged Combat Championships.

The Toughest and the Most Skilled Amateur Mixed Martial Artists from Illinois Police and Fire Departments clash in the Cage for combat supremacy in Chicago's Annual Battle of the Shields: Fight for a Cause Mixed Martial Arts Gala Event. $25,000 to be raised for local Police and Fire Charitable Organizations. Event to be held on January 24th, 2009 at the Beautiful, Classic Aragon Theater Venue. Men in Uniform, please contact us at contact@illinoismma.com to register for tryouts or for more information.

For Tickets, Call 877.865.8799 or purchase them here or with TicketMaster

Monthly All Chicago MMA Open starting December.

Amateur fighters can test their skills before going to large events. Mix it up with other fighters from other teams, meet Promoters and Managers and get some experience. Contact the Military Arts Institute for more information and register here online as an amateur fighter to get updates and newsletters.

Train with a UFC Veteran. Weekly and private session training camps with Shonie Carter! Email nadya@illinoismma.com to register.

 The Mixed Martial Arts center for the Midwest and the ultimate MMA resource for MMA schools, mixed martial arts, ultimate fighting training and MMA events in Illinois.

Official Illinois MMA Ruless These will be changing in mid July to reflect the final version of the rules and regulations governing Martial Arts and Mixed Martial arts in the state of Illinois.

UMMA Combat Federation in partnership with the Military Arts Institute in Chicago will be hosting the All Chicago MMA Open on a monthly/bimonthly basis at the MAI training facility. Join our mailing list to keep updated on all events and continuing developments in the MMA industry in Illinois and and for any special promotions for live combat events at clubs and smaller venues.

MMA in Illinois 

MMA: Turning a New Leaf 

Describing what we have come to know as MMA is fairly easy – it is unarmed combat utilizing various ground and standing fighting skills.

Defining MMA is more difficult. It is a progressive and self-evolving system rather than a single style.

Think of MMA as one whole concept, as opposed to a combination of styles. True martial arts are “mixed” by nature. In fighting as its original intended purpose - survival – there was no grappling versus striking divisions. No belts, no ranks, no titles. Fundamentally, an art of combat is one single art.  

In the modern day, MMA is practiced and viewed as a competitive sport, and needs to be understood as such. As any other, world MMA clubs offer strict rules and regulations, devised for the safety of competitors.

We’re fortunate to live in exciting times, when MMA has progressed from members-only underground venues to a fastest growing spectator sport worldwide, popularized in the US by UFC in the early 1990s.

Today MMA is the choice sport of true athletes and real warriors who don’t bow down to challenge and adversity. A sport of actual merit, where yesterday’s underdogs are offered a chance to tomorrow’s hall fame. A great example of true MMA essence is the legendary Griffin vs Bonnar #1 match. The two then-newcomers displayed an awe-inspiring sportsmanship, if less-than-perfect technique, winning the hearts of even unlikely supporters overnight.

MMA is here to stay, as a unique domain where the limitless capacity of a human mind and body is tested and showcased.

Cross over to our world and become a part of MMA history yourself.