Combat sports involve a high level of physical contact that may include striking, grappling, kicking or weapon handling. They are a broad category of athletic activities with a rich history that includes no-holds barred fights, ancient wrestling matches and a wide range of martial arts disciplines including boxing, Muay Thai, karate, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Greco-Roman wrestling, and mixed martial arts (MMA).
These sports require specialized training regimens to enhance physical prowess, technical understanding, and strategic thinking. The rigor of these training regimens highlights the incredible athleticism and resilience required to compete in these incredibly violent and dynamic sports.
In addition to the physical benefits, these sports also provide a number of social and mental health and wellbeing benefits. They teach children to respect their elders and be humble in the presence of others, a mindset that carries over into school and other areas of life. They foster a work ethic that stresses the importance of consistent effort, and they encourage self-control and discipline. They teach children how to handle and overcome fear, as well as how to manage physical stress, a skill that can be applied to daily life.
With a global footprint that includes millions of spectators at live events, and a huge following across digital platforms, combat sports offer tremendous potential to be inclusive, accessible modalities for promoting multiple aspects of healthy lifestyles. Moreover, the legacy of iconic fighters like Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, Ronda Rousey, and Conor McGregor inspires people from all walks of life to pursue their own fighting dreams.
