pankration, ancient Greek sports event that combined boxing and wrestling, introduced at the XXXIII Olympiad (648 bce). Simple fisticuffs had been introduced in 688 bce.

How did the pankration begin?

In Greek mythology it was said that the heroes Heracles and Theseus invented pankration as a result of using both wrestling and boxing in their confrontations with opponents. Theseus was said to have used his extraordinary pankration skills to defeat the dreaded Minotaur in the Labyrinth.

Was pankration the first MMA?

The Ancient Greek Art of Pankration

In 648 BC, a submission combat sport with very few rules was introduced to the Olympic Games. With legends crediting mythical heroes Heracles and Theseus with its creation, Pankration was the original MMA.