Best Combat Sport

Yabuki Joe is left downhearted and hopeless after a certain tragic event. In attempt to put the past behind him, Joe leaves the gym behind and begins wandering. On his travels he comes across the likes of Wolf Kanagushi and Goromaki Gondo, men who unintentionally fan the dying embers inside him, lea...

Contested in a ring, boxing centers on punches delivered with gloved hands under rules governing legal targets and conduct. It is an Olympic combat sport, although professional and amateur formats differ. The Queensberry Rules, published in 1867, were an important step in the development of modern b...

Originating in Thailand, Muaythai, also written Muay Thai, combines a martial tradition with a competitive ring sport. Its rules allow strikes with fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Close-range clinching is a central part of competition, allowing fighters to control an opponent's position and create...

In his father's absence, teenager Ippo Makunouchi works hard to help his mother run her fishing boat rental business. Ippo's timid nature, his lack of sleep, and the sea smell make him an easy target for relentless bullies who leave him bruised and beaten on a daily basis. Mamoru Takamura, an up-and...

Japanese Featherweight Champion Makunouchi Ippo has defended his title belt once more with the help of his devastating signature move: the Dempsey Roll. However, new challengers are rising up left and right, claiming to have an answer for the move responsible for crushing his opponents. Will Ippo be...

Without the traditional kimono, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi centers on controlling an opponent through the body rather than through cloth grips. Practitioners usually wear a rash guard with shorts or grappling pants. Wrestling entries and positional transitions help bring the contest to favorable posi...

Published in 1867 and drafted by John Graham Chambers, the Marquess of Queensberry Rules helped establish the framework of modern boxing. They required gloves and three-minute rounds with rest periods between them, and prohibited wrestling within the contest. Their name reflects the patronage of the...

K-1 rules kickboxing combines gloved punches and kicks with permitted knee strikes in a ring. The name comes from the K-1 promotion founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii in Japan in 1993, whose events helped establish a recognizable competition format. It draws on Japanese kickboxing traditions while providing...

Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi has successfully defended and retained his title. Meanwhile, his rival, Ichirou Miyata, has resurfaced in Japan, aiming for his own Featherweight belt in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation. When the rest of the world comes knocking, however, will J...

Practiced in a cotton jacket and trousers, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the gi uses the uniform as part of its grappling system. Cloth grips create handles for controlling movement and setting up throws, pins, and submissions. The modern Brazilian form developed from Japanese jujutsu and judo influences,...

Mixed martial arts combines techniques from various fighting styles including boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a full-contact combat sport emphasizing both striking with punches and kicks, as well as grappling through submissions and takedowns. The discipline is practiced by athletes...

K-1 is a Japanese kickboxing promotion and competition format established in 1993 by Kazuyoshi Ishii. Standard K-1 rules emphasize stand-up striking and permit punches, kicks, and knees while restricting or excluding elbow strikes and prolonged clinching. The organization became associated with tour...

Ground control and submission techniques form the core of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a modern martial art and competitive grappling sport. Practitioners use leverage and body positioning to manage an opponent's movement, then work toward joint locks or chokes. Much of the learning involves recognizing whe...

ADCC Submission Wrestling is a highly respected international grappling competition focused on strategic, dynamic submissions. Established in 1998, it’s recognized as the benchmark for elite competitive grappling, particularly within the nogi discipline. The tournament attracts serious practitioners...

The challenger has become the champion as Ippo Makunouchi now wears the featherweight championship belt of Japan. Some time has passed since Ippo's victory, and he has found his friends and coach as supportive as ever; his crush, Kumi Mashiba, seems to enjoy spending time with him as well. Things ar...

Known internationally as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is a striking martial art and combat sport originating in Thailand. Its eight points of contact refer to the paired fists, elbows, knees and shins. This gives exchanges a different shape from boxing, since attacks can come from several distances and a...

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Epee fencing is an Olympic combat sport employing a specialized thrusting sword. It’s notable for its complex scoring system which recognizes hits to the entire body, not just the torso. This discipline is primarily practiced by athletes competing in international and national competitions including...

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Freestyle wrestling is an Olympic combat sport involving grappling and takedowns. It’s notable for permitting holds targeting the lower body, a key difference from Greco-Roman wrestling. The sport is practiced worldwide by athletes competing at both amateur and international levels. It's primarily f...

Fencing is a precision combat sport utilizing swords. It involves strategic duels between two competitors employing three distinct weapon types: foil, epee, and sabre. The sport’s historical significance stems from its inclusion in the inaugural Olympic Games of 1896. Fencing remains popular among a...

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No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers a dynamic approach to grappling focused on ground fighting techniques. It utilizes a rash guard for protection and emphasizes submissions without the use of a traditional judo gi. This style is suitable for individuals seeking a fast-paced martial art emphasizing pra...

Folkstyle wrestling is an American collegiate combat sport focused on sustained control of an opponent within grappling techniques. It emphasizes securing pins rather than dramatic takedowns. Primarily utilized in high schools and colleges, it’s a training method for athletes seeking mastery of posi...

Épée is one of the three modern fencing weapons and is used in Olympic, international, and recreational competition. The entire body is a valid target, including the mask, arms, legs, and feet, and a hit is scored with the point of the weapon. Because fencers may register nearly simultaneous touches...

Joe Yabuki is a troubled youth, whose only solution to problems is throwing punches at them. What he lacks in manners and discipline, he makes up for with his self-taught fighting skills. One day, while wandering the slums of Doya, Joe gets into a fight with the local gang. Although greatly outnumbe...

Professional boxing involves athletes engaging in one-on-one contests utilizing punches and defensive techniques. It’s notable for its strategic depth and demanding physical requirements. The sport is primarily pursued by individuals seeking competitive athletic challenges and those involved in sanc...

Greco-Roman wrestling is an ancient combat sport rooted in European traditions. It’s notable for its focus on upper-body strength and technique, specifically utilizing throws while prohibiting holds below the waist. The sport has a long history dating back to ancient Greece and remains a core discip...

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