Pankration
Pankration is an ancient Greek martial art that combines elements of boxing and wrestling. It was introduced in the Olympic Games in 648 BC and was known for its minimal rules, allowing a wide range of techniques, including strikes, holds, and grappling. Competitors, called pankratiasts, aimed to defeat their opponents through submission or knockout.
The sport was popular among Greek warriors and was often practiced as a means of training for combat. Pankration emphasized both physical strength and strategy, making it a challenging and respected discipline in ancient Greek culture. It laid the groundwork for modern mixed martial arts (MMA).