Is the art of Judo applicable to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition?

The take down techniques and ground fighting techniques taught in modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) have their origins Judo. If you examine the evolution of MMA you will find that in the early days many people were trained primarily in either the art of striking through arts such as Karate, Tae-Kwon-Do and boxing or the arts involving grappling such as Brazilian Ju-jitsu, Judo and wrestling.  Striking arts were very popular in North America at that time.  Students of the striking arts found them selves unprepared for the arm bar techniques, ankle locks, and choking techniques that Brazilian Ju-jitsu offered.  Brazilian Ju-jitsu (the origins of which can be traced back to Kodakon Judo) players are very comfortable fighting on their back in a position known as the guard.  In Judo these ground-fighting techniques are known as ne-waza.  Using these techniques BJJ fighters, such as Royce Gracie, were able to dominate the MMA competitions.  Of course strikers adapted to these techniques.  They improved their ability to avoid being taken to the ground (take down defense) as well their ability to fight from on the ground from the top and avoid submissions (ground and pound).    

Judo has always trained in all these elements.  The rules of engagement of a Judo match are different then an MMA match but the techniques of Judo apply to both.  In a Judo match the players begin standing.  An experienced Judo player is an expert in both throwing people to the ground and avoiding being thrown.  Matches are won if the Judoka decisively throws their opponent onto his back. This is because a throw of this nature, on a hard surface such as concrete or ground, would render the opponent unconscious.   If the match goes to the ground but the take down technique was not decisive, the players continue to fight on the ground.  Fights from the ground can be won by submission (arm-bars and chokes) or by holding and controlling the opponent.  If a Judo player can control their opponent on the ground it is reasoned that they could easily finish the match with strikes, chokes, arm bars or other finishes.  For example in a Judo match if you can hold and control your opponent in Kasa gatame for 25 seconds you have won the match.  This is because you are in a position to strike your opponent however your opponent cannot easily block those strikes.  Therefore although striking is not allowed in a Judo match, striking is taught as an element of the martial art and matches are won based on you obtaining a dominant position to strike. In Judo competition the judo players wear gis.  These were introduced into the sport partially because it more accurately represents real life situations.  People wear cloths.  Many MMA competitors have successfully adapted Judo throws and ground fighting techniques to the shirtless MMA rules of engagement.  

Judo training transfers extremely well to MMA because Judo players learn excellent takedowns and takedown defense.  They are trained in submissions on the ground as well as obtaining excellent position for ground and pound.   Judo matches themselves are designed in such a way that the players can practice and employ these techniques safely and many Judo players compete well into their advanced years.