Combat Sports offer a unique blend of physical challenge, mental discipline and strategic depth. They have been a part of human culture for centuries and continue to fascinate. From Muhammad Ali’s ‘Thrilla in Manila’ to Conor McGregor’s knockout victories or Ronda Rousey’s ground-breaking dominance, these iconic moments transcend sport and become cultural touchstones inspiring and capturing generations of fans.

The practice of combat sports teaches athletes to anticipate and effectively counter opponents’ movements, control their bodyweight and use strength efficiently. This enables them to effectively protect themselves and their loved ones against potential threats. Successful athletes of combat sports have an enduring appeal and inspire others to pursue their dreams, building self-confidence and a belief in personal capabilities that can be used to navigate life’s challenges.

While boxing holds the reigns as the most popular combat sport, other disciplines such as Muay Thai and wrestling are gaining in popularity. Muay Thai is a striking-based art that uses punches, kicks and elbow and knee strikes. It also incorporates footwork and defensive techniques. Wrestling is a traditional Olympic-recognised sport that utilizes grappling techniques to control and pin opponents. It is taught on a tatami (padded surface) and has a formal grading system.

The emergence of MMA in the 1990s has encouraged a cross-training of styles that has increased fighter effectiveness. As a result, those with striking-based martial arts backgrounds have become more competitive as they add techniques from grappling-based arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and catch wrestling.