Professional Martial Artist

Professional Martial Artist (PMA) is the official title given to any individual registered through a national Martial Arts Association or internationally through the Association of Martial Arts. Professional Martial Artists compete at individual tournaments and are able to earn cash prizes. They can also sign with sponsors and gain benefits from their association. The following are the list of Martial Artists.

## Registration

Anyone can register to a be an international PMA so long as they meet the following qualifications, which are in the Martial Code:

* Over the age of 15
* Complete the PMA registration application
	+ This is includes turning medical information, affiliated Dojo, belt ranking
* Follow the Martial Code of the AMA
* Follow the official Belt Ranking System, transferring any belt or rank of skill to the AMA's official one
* Pay the initial registration fee
* Pass random tournament Drug and Urine tests. Failure will result in suspension of PMA status

A PMA status lasts for four years until a person must register again.

At the national level, PMA registration varies for certain Martial Arts Associations, but most follow the same guidelines as the AMA. Some, like the Japanese Martial Arts Association (JMAA), don't require s registration fee. Others require PMAs to be with a Professional Dojo.

## Ronin

The Martial Gene works in mysterious ways. Many children were showing signs of insane power. Some of these future fighters cannot afford to go to Dojos or support their career. To compensate for this, the Martial Family decided to create the international Ronin status, according to the Martial Code..

Ronin is a status given to PMAs who do not affiliate with any Dojo, professional or amateur. This status could only be approved by the Martial Emperor in that dominion. Ronin status is very difficult to get because there certain advantages, such as not having to pay for a Dojo fee or not having to put time in League season if professional. A Ronin status is only international, most national associations do not require an official PMA status. A Ronin status is thought to be temporary, because most fighters will end up needing a mentor or a place of discipline to train at. Generally, a Ronin status is given every three years, due to the plethora of Dojos and the demand for professional training. Free Agents are NOT Ronin, because they do not require financial and public support by the associations.

## Age Bracket

The AMA regulates tournaments by age to separate tournaments and balance placings and tournament participation. National Martial Arts Associations have tournaments that divide by age and follow the AMA regulations. These regulations only count in individual tournaments. Team tournaments, such as a League Season follows a National MAA rule.

### Senior

A Senior PMA is someone who is over the age of 18. They can only compete in events that allow all ages, which makes up most of the tournaments in the world. After the age of 19, Seniors can commit to international tournaments and accept sponsors or agents.

### Junior

A Junior PMA is someone under the age of 18. They can compete in any Senior tournament, and any Junior tournament, which allows anyone under 18.

### Cadet

A Cadet PMA is someone under the age of 14. They can only compete in Cadet and Junior tournaments.

## Career length

Most PMA careers start around the age 15. They usually compete in local and national tournaments until the age of 20. After that, PMAs either stay domestic or go international. Most fighters retire at the age of 40, with few continuing after with little success. The oldest internationally ranked fighter retired at the age of 48. The average Senior Career is around 18 years.