Mixed Martial Arts: I have studied martial arts since the mid 80's including 3 years under Shizuya Sato in Tokyo. Starting about then, in the US, groups of martial artists got together and decided to hold almost rules free fighting bouts (no gloves, no pads, only a groin cup and the most basic of rules - no eye gouging etc.) in order to see what martial arts were really the best - were actually effective. It was quickly discovered that most traditional martial arts were not very effective and that Jujitsu and believe it or not western wrestlers were winning the majority of bouts. What has evolved since then is a loose style referred to as mixed martial arts that is a combination of western boxing, Thai boxing (Muay Thai), Jujitsu, and western wrestling. It is real fighting, tested in the real world.
If you really want to be able to fight it is quite superior to any of the traditional styles. Not to say there aren't good skills to be learned in many traditional styles - especially when it comes to weapons use.
However, now that I think about it the most practical basic knife fighting manual I have is the USMC field manual FM0-7. I digress. I don't watch TV but I understand Spike TV shows UFC bouts (ultimate fighter championship ra ra). These are tamed down version of the original fights but still an excellent example of the art. Please do not confuse this with "professional" wrestling. Cheers,