Karate Combat (KC) is a brand which promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018. The private company is headquartered in New York and was founded by Michael DePietro and Robert Bryan. The brand also encompasses sports equipment, a worldwide Dojo network and mobile apps for viewers. Karate Combat was founded in order to promote karate as a sport and martial art. Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten hosts Karate Combat venues alongside special guests.^[1]

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Quick Facts Sport, Founder ...

Karate Combat

Current season, competition or edition: 2024 in Karate Combat
Sport	Karate Submission grappling
Founder	Michael Depietro Robert Bryan
CEO	Robert Bryan
COO	Asim Zaidi
Director	Robert Bryan
President	Asim Zaidi
Headquarters	New York City
TV partner(s)	beIN SPORTS
Official website	www.karate.com

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Contestants compete in a seasonal championship in which the winner is awarded a golden belt.^[2] They consist of karateka from various styles of karate like Kyokushin, Shotokan, Shito Ryu, and Wado Ryu, Kempo Karate. Contestants from other martial arts disciplines like Taekwondo, Kung Fu, and Tang Soo Do have also participated.^[3] The contestants are expected to abide by karate-do etiquette and specific tournament rules.^[4]

The organization puts emphasis on innovation and technology with the use of video game-style analytics of fighter's biometrics, nutrition and DNA-based data in real-time. Fights regularly feature CGI environments created with the Unreal Engine as reported by NBC Sports.^[5] Marketing and promotion include appearances of Danny Trejo, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, former UFC two-division champion Georges St-Pierre, former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and UFC top-contender Stephen Thompson.^[6][7]

In 2020 rights to Karate Combat have been acquired by beIN SPORTS. The media group broadcasts the Karate Combat seasons in 37 countries.^[1]

Fighting takes place in a 6,5m x 6,5m (21'4" x 21'4") square combat pit surrounded by 45° angled walls. A match consists of 3 rounds each lasting 3 minutes with the possibility of 2 additional rounds for championship fights.

Scoring uses a 10-point must system and is based on aggression and effectiveness of attacks. Three judges evaluate each fight from a position around the combat pit. Scoring cards are omitted in case of a knock-out.

Equipment consists of 4oz gloves, mouthpieces, groin protectors for male contestants, karate belts and officially designed long karate trousers with national emblems or flags.

Wrestling, submissions, elbows are not permitted. A grounded opponent may use upkicks while the standing opponent may use ground punches. After 5 seconds any grounded opponent will be brought back to a standing position by the referee.^[4]

In January 2024, Karate Combat announced that they would begin staging professional grappling matches in the pit prior to their karate fights, under the name of "Pit Submission Series."^[8] The first fight under the Pit Submission Series took place on January 26, 2024.

• Karate at the Summer Olympics
• Karate World Championships