Karate Combat has flown under the radar. It was first launched in 2018 and have held many live events through live stream. But only recently have they re-started holding live fights as the last events before October 2020 were in October 2019.
Karate Combat is an exciting new combat sports organization who have an insane budget with their graphic design and video editing. You can see just from their trailer below.
The fact you are searching how to join Karate Combat shows how quickly this organization is growing into the mainstream public. It helps that Bas Rutten is an ambassador! Who wouldn’t want to watch and join a combat sport that Bas is involved in?
How To Join Karate Combat
Applying to join Karate Combat is a relatively easy process but is somewhat hidden on their website. In fact, I found out how to apply from watching one of their events.
To join Karate Combat, all you need to do is email:
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They will send you an automatic reply of things you will need to send them. I have done this for you already so I can let you know what you’ll need so you are prepared for your application.
Firstly, you will need to complete their Google form which they send. The first page is simply filling in name, email, DOB, height, and weight.
They will also ask about your Nationality and educational background. You will also be able to send them your social media handles.
On the second page of this form, you will be asked these questions regarding your Karate experience. Here is a list of questions you will be asked:
- What weight class you want to participate in.
- What kind of karate background you have.
- What karate organization you fought in.
- Years of experience competing/training karate.
- What rank and belt you are.
- Other experience in combat sports.
- Best results/top 5 accomplishments.
- Rankings and records.
- List details of previous full contact fights.
- How many hours a week you train in karate.
Once this is complete, you have a few more pieces to attach in an email reply. These being:
- A profile picture.
- Social media accounts.
- Recent body picture.
- Competition video.
- Training video.
- A 45-60 second interview that shows why you are someone that should be brought into Karate Combat.
Once you have completed these requirements, a Karate Combat representative will contact you if you qualify.
What Is Karate Combat?
Karate Combat is a new form of competitive combat sports that applies traditional karate movements blended with throws, sweeps, takedowns, and limited ground fighting.
The rule set was created to encourage distance between karateka so they could showcase traditional karate techniques. This means that when karateka are tied up, they get separated quickly and when one karateka ends up on the floor, only five seconds is given for the standing opponent to rein down strikes.
Karate Combat is not only novel in their rule set, but in the arena they fight in known as “The Pit.” It is a square arena with 45° padded walls where karateka can use the wall to their advantage by throwing various techniques while jumping off of it.
They have also gone all-in on their sci-fi style events with costumes, actors, and crazy green screen backgrounds while the fights are going on.
Check out this recent Mad Max themed event!
What Are The Karate Combat Weight Classes?
Male Weight Classes
Lightweight / 148 lbs / -67KG
Welterweight / 165 lbs / -75KG
Middleweight / 185 lbs / -84KG
Heavyweight / 205 lbs / +93KG
Female Weight Classes
Woman / -125lbs / -56KG
Bantamweight / +125lbs / +56KG
What Are The Rules Of Karate Combat?
Karate Combat rules differ dramatically from traditional karate. The main difference is Karate Combat is full contact and allows techniques outside of striking such as sweeps and throws as well as striking while on the ground.
While standing, all punches and ridge hand strikes to the front and side of the face, and torso above the beltline are allowed. All kicking techniques are allowed to the same places on the body. Roundhouse or non-linear, thrusting kicks are to be below the knee only.
On the ground, the standing karateka can attack with punches while the grounded karateka can punch and kick upwards. Karateka only have 5 seconds in this position before the referee separates the fighters and stands them up. The Pit wall is not considered the ground so is not a great place to pinned against.
However, if the karateka is facing the wall with both hands on it, then he is considered grounded.
The standing karateka is allowed to place one knee on the grounded opponent when striking him. But if both knees go down, the fighters will be separated.
While Karate Combat has opened up the rule set from traditional karate, there are still many techniques that cannot be performed such as:
- No palm striking.
- No elbows or knees.
- Kicking the thighs.
- Grabbing the opponents head.
- Single or double leg takedowns.
- Clinching for any reason other than to execute a legal technique.
- Suplexes or throwing an opponent intentionally on their head or out of The Pit.
Regarding fight length, non-championship fights are fought for 3 x 3 minute rounds with 1 minute rest in-between.
If the judges rule the fight a draw at the end of the 3 rounds, an additional round is fought labelled the Sudden Victory round which will determine the winner.
Judges Scoring Criteria
Karate Combat is scored using the usual 10-Point-Must system. They score the fight using these criteria in this specific order of importance:
- Effective aggressiveness (moving forward and landing strikes)
- Number of effective kicking techniques (total number of impactful kicks)
- Effective striking and takedowns (total number of impactful strikes and takedowns)
- Dominance
- Damage and control (who is dictating the pace, location, and position)
Karateka may be penalized for displaying timidness or passivity during the fight by failing to engage or only counter striking.
Where Is Karate Combat Filmed?
Karate Combat has been filmed in many different locations around the world from Budapest, to Athens, to many different cities around the USA.
The filming locations of the latest Karate Combat events have not been listed so remain unknown but one can assume they take place in the USA due to the competition having their headquarters in New York.
When the fights get live streamed may also be another indicator where they tend to stream during the evenings in the USA.
How Much Do Karate Combat Fighters Make?
This is also something that is not publisized. While the UFC publishes the salaries the fighters make per fight and the bonuses they receive, Karate Combat does not.
Based on watching the events, it seems some fighters may be professional Karate Combat athletes meaning they make enough to live through their salary from fighting.
However, many of these karateka live in countries with a very low cost of living so the US dollar will go far.
How To Watch Karate Combat?
Watching Karate Combat is easier than watching any other combat sport. I personally watch Karate Combat on their YouTube channel.
You can find that here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrx0XRJeIhstGD8H60kLYYA
Best of all, it is completely free! They live stream the events and you can watch the replays if the time zone doesn’t match up with where you live.
They also broadcast on many other channels such as Twitch, ESPN, Roku, DAZN, and many other mainstream channels.
