Once a year Dwight holds a seminar for us on karate. Because one thing we know that thousand-year-old martial arts do each year is… change. – Jim
This year, Dwight, you’ve been vindicated.
Karate Combat – Elevating and Promoting the Sport of Karate Worldwide
This is a new professional fight league featuring, according to their website, over 100 karateka representing 30 countries; but this isn’t your parents’ MMA. Sure, like MMA, Karate Combat is a professional full-contact sport but there are enough differences for me to sit up, tune in, and pay attention (if you want a quick refresher on MMA, read Ron Amram’s article Tipping the Scales – The Pros, Cons and Challenges of Cross-Training).
I know I’m biased. As a karateka, I’ve listened with chagrin over the years as people say my art isn’t a legitimate fighting art and only has passing relevance in MMA. Now I have this league that focuses on karate and proves to the world that, outside of the oft-referred to McDojo, karate has a rightful place within combat sports. In fact, for all of us “traditionalists” who want an emphasis on traditional martial arts in combat, check out Karate Combat.
It’s about time.
What Is It?
Check out www.karate.com to read all the rules but here are the basics to get you started:
- Instead of a cage, you are in a sunken pit measuring just over 20′ square and with 45° sides
- A match is three rounds with each round being three minutes in length and one minute of rest between each round, but a participant can concede the match to their opponent by:
- tapping out
- kneeling with one knee and holding one hand above their head
- verbally telling the referee that they concede
- A match is decided by three judges who are positioned in different areas around the pit
- Scoring and points are determined by the effectiveness and quality of your karate techniques
This is where I strongly recommend you head over to their site and learn how scoring works! Effective strikes will score higher than blocks, kicks are given greater weight than punches, and so on.
Wait, It’s Not MMA
I know, I know, it sounds a lot like MMA and I get that. But the focus on karate as the martial art being used is a refreshing change for me. But you know what really sets it apart in my eyes? Consider these:
- Throws are allowed and encouraged, but you have to maintain control over your opponent all the way through the throw
- You have to demonstrate that you fully understand the throwing technique (I call this the “no slop rule”)
- Once thrown, you only have five seconds to strike the thrown fighter
- After five seconds, the referee separates the two and allows the thrown fighter to get back up
- Clinching is only allowed as a setup for a throw – you can’t clinch simply to prevent your opponent from acting
You know what? Just watch a match (and check out what happens at the 2:10 mark after the throw):
A Few Final Thoughts
This is a young league and there are some ways in which that shows. The rules are still evolving but the league has acknowledged that there’s room for growth and is willing to explore changes. I’d also like to see the arena area change for the spectators so there’s less of a JCVD “Bloodsport” feel to the place (you’ll see what I mean if you watch the video). Oh, and the website needs a lot of work (like a search bar to find info on upcoming fight cards).
But overall, I think this league is heading in the right direction and my primary concern as it evolves is that it doesn’t lose what makes it unique from MMA. I like MMA, but we already have that – let’s keep this separate.
April 26, 2018 “Inception” Highlights
BTW, it’s free to stream via the website!
Two “co” main event fights:
- Elhadji “Black Magic” Ndour (USA) vs Andras “The Titan” Virag (Hungary)
- Dionicio Gustavo (DR) vs Alexandre Bouderbane (France)
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