Whether you’re watching Muhammad Ali’s Thrilla in Manila, Conor McGregor’s historic knockout or Ronda Rousey’s pioneering dominance, the world of combat sports offers a thrilling blend of physical challenge, mental discipline and strategic depth. With its roots in ancient culture, a range of disciplines and interconnected subcultures, this exciting arena of athletic competition is rich with history and intrigue.

Despite their violent names, combat sports are highly regulated to minimize permanent or severe physical damage. The rules can vary between striking and grappling-based sports (e.g. boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, MMA), as well as hybrid rule-sets including both – e.g. shoot-boxing, Combat Sambo and Vale Tudo. Moreover, the use of weapons in combat sports is very restricted and usually non-lethal.

People choose to train in combat sports for many reasons: personal safety, self-defense, physical fitness, stress relief, community, cultural connection or inspiration. However, irrespective of their motivations, they all benefit from the unique training environment that combat sports provide:

The dynamic nature of these activities allows them to engage multiple muscle groups for a full-body workout and build strength. Furthermore, the high levels of physical exertion involved in training and sparring help to release endorphins, natural mood boosters, which can assist with stress management and emotional regulation. Finally, the various forms of combat sport require a combination of skills, techniques and strategies that can be learned over time through structured learning, practice, and regular sparring with fellow members of the sporting community.