Pankration is a competitive unarmed combat sport with roots tracing back to 648 BC during the 33rd Ancient Olympic Games. The Greek term “Pankration,” meaning “All of Power,” refers to a combination of striking, grappling, and wrestling against another unarmed athlete, forming the basis of modern MMA. Pankration remained a competitive Olympic sport for centuries until the decline of the Ancient Olympic Games under Roman rule.
This brutal form of combat had only two rules: no biting and no eye gouging. Many bouts resulted in severe injuries and historical records note that some ended in death. The event format involved drawing names from a collection of competitors, with two names selected at random to face each other. This process continued until all matches were completed, culminating in a single victor hailed as the Olympiad Pankration Champion—all within a single day. Bouts could end with an athlete losing consciousness, sustaining severe injury, or signaling submission by lifting a finger, similar to the modern ‘tap out’ we know today in MMA
During the formation of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, most original Olympic sports were reinstated, except for Pankration. The Archbishop of Lyon, Pierre-Hector Coullié, famously stated, “We accept all events to be reinstated, except Pankration.” The sport was deemed too violent, a sentiment that continues to influence perceptions of modern MMA today.
Greek-American athlete Jim Arvanitis is credited with reviving Pankration/MMA, which regained prominence in the 1970s. The sport took another significant leap forward with the creation of the UFC in 1993. The UFC was designed to promote events as a professional sport for entertainment, adopting the original rules of Pankration—no time limits, no weight classes, and two primary rules: no biting and no eye gouging. However, due to legal pressures and a focus on long-term viability, the UFC later modified its rules to ensure safety and social acceptance.
In 2010, Pankration received renewed recognition under the Olympic movement when it was adopted by FILA (now UWW), the International Federation responsible for Olympic wrestling. UWW is the sole recognized federation by the International Olympic Committee for wrestling and acknowledges multiple Olympic and Associated Disciplines, including Pankration. UWW Pankration made its debut at IOC-supported events during the Sport Accord World Combat Games in 2010. In October 2024, Pankration under UWW was officially designated as “Pankration MMA,” honoring its historical significance and its place in the modern sports landscape. Pankration MMA is true Amateur MMA and recognized by an official I.F. of the IOC.
GAMMA USA is the sole recognized federation in the USA with the authority to advance athletes into IOC-supported events under UWW, including the World Combat Games for Pankration MMA. Athletes seeking to advance in international MMA competition should reach out to their local National UWW and GAMMA Federations.
By Justin Brown
Chairman GAMMA USA
UWW Pankration Committee Member
