If you're behind, here's a slice of the MMA life

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CORRECTION

This story previously stated that Chuck Liddell would appear at the RBC Center on Saturday. In fact he will not be there.

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Somehow, you missed America's mixed-martial arts explosion.

Perhaps you were out walking the dog that night in May when CBS showed the first prime-time MMA card on broadcast television. Or maybe you were watching one of those decorate-your-bathroom shows last week when Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell appeared on the sidelines during a college football game.

As a pop-culture phenomenon, MMA arrived long ago. But even if you're behind the times, it doesn't mean you're out of them. We're here to help.

There's a big MMA cage-fight showdown coming to the RBC Center on Saturday. To keep you from looking the fool as you watch grown men kick each other in the face, we've prepared a little primer. Feel free to use any of these tidbits in conversation during the beers and blood that make MMA so entertaining.

The characters

Although no super high-wattage stars will fight in Raleigh, it doesn't hurt to know their names. Liddell, probably the biggest star in MMA, fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (like boxing, MMA has a multitude of sanctioning bodies). This guy is so cool, he was featured on an episode of HBO's ultra-hip "Entourage."

Kimbo Slice, a former street brawler, became famous through a series of Internet videos. In one, Slice and his opponent fight on a driveway, ferociously enough that the men tumble into the garage. By the end of the fight, Slice's opponent is missing one of his dreadlocks. Slice has since moved on to televised MMA matches.

The rules

They can vary, but here are a few standard ones:

If your opponent loses consciousness, you win.

If your opponent can no longer take your beating, he submits. He does this by tapping your body, tapping the mat or announcing that he quits.

If your opponent gouges your eyes or punches your throat, he has committed a foul.

The styles

Mixed-martial arts is exactly that, a sport in which competitors use moves from a variety of fighting disciplines, including wrestling, judo, boxing, kickboxing and karate. Fighters sometimes become known for their mastery of a certain discipline, although concentrating too much on one style can leave a fighter vulnerable to opponents who have mastered another. Below are just a sampling of styles.

• Clinch fighting: When a fighter grabs hold of an opponent and the pair grapple, much like you would see in Olympic-style wrestling.
• Ground-and pound: This is when one fighter has his opponent on the ground and keeps him there, pounding him with fists all the while.
• Sprawl-and-brawl: This is more of a stand-up style, akin to boxing.