150 Most Popular Combat Sports in the World
Combat sports are a longstanding form of physical competition that seems to have existed since the early days of human civilization. Boxing and wrestling, for instance, were prevalent even before the development of complex societies. These sports have thrived for centuries and have only gained more prominence over the years. Here, we offer a concise overview of combat sports, along with some intriguing historical context.
Combat Sports
What are Combat Sports
Despite the growing popularity of team sports such as soccer and basketball in recent years, combat sports remain a widely watched and discussed genre. Audiences continue to be drawn to live fights, while filmmakers depict the lives of both real and fictional fighters on the big screen.
The term “Combat Sport” refers to a type of physical sport where two competitors engage in a physical contest. Striking, grappling, and weaponry constitute the three primary categories of fighting styles employed in MMA and other similar competitions.
List of Combat Sports
List of popular combat sports
- Boxing (British)
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu (Brazilian)
- Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian)
- Jiu-jitsu (Japanese), Judo (Japanese)
- Karate (Chinese/Okinawan/Japanese)
- Kickboxing (Numerous Origins)
- Lethwei (Burmese)
- Mixed martial arts (U.S. American)
- Muay Thai (Thai)
- Sambo (Soviet/Russian)
- Sanda (Chinese)
- Savate (French)
- Tae Kwon Do (Korean)
- Vale tudo (Brazilian)
- Pankration (Ancient Greek)
- Luta Livre (Brazilian)
- Wrestling (Numerous Origins)
- Pro-Wrestling (British/American)
- Archery
- Fencing
- Greco-roman westling
- Kung fu
- Sumo
- Judo
- Wushu taolu
Full list of combat sports
- A Bracciuta
- Aba Guresi
- Ado Murai
- Aikido
- Akroteri Punching
- Armkast
- Armtag
- Arnis
- Asian Indian Wrestling
- At Glimast
- At Klaves
- Atemi Jutsu
- Att Kasta
- Baguazhang
- Bando
- Barra Wrestling
- Benin Wrestling
- Bokhin Barildaan
- Bosnian Wrestling
- Boxing
- Brata
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Broeratok
- Bugei
- Bijutsu
- Bukestag
- Byxkast
- Byxtag
- Capoeira
- Catch-As-Can-Catch
- Cheibi Gad-Ga
- Chess boxing
- Chinna Adi
- Dinni Style
- Dra Balte
- Drunken Boxing
- Egyptian Boxing
- Erhim-Buhudbur
- Famnkast
- Fang
- Fencing
- French Wrestling
- Galhofa
- Gambian Wrestling
- Gialki
- Glima
- Gongfu
- Goresh
- Gouren
- Gungawa Wrestling
- Hapkido
- Hau Kuen
- Hryggspenna
- Iaido
- Inbuan
- Irish Wrestling
- Judo
- Ju-jitsu
- Junta
- Juppermringen
- Kaipor
- Kalari-Payat
- Kali
- Karate
- Kazakh Wrestling
- Ke Nang Haun
- Kempo
- Kendo
- Kickboxing
- Kirip
- Kirghiz Wrestling
- Kito
- Koshti Choukheh
- Kragenringen
- Kragtag
- Krav Maga
- Kung-fu
- Kuresh
- Kusak Guresi
- Lausaglima
- Leibringen
- Lucha De Roncal
- Lucta Voluctatoria
- Mansei-Kan
- Mixed martial arts
- Mizo Inchai
- Mocovite Boxing
- Mongolian wrestling
- Mukna
- Muay Thai
- Muskox Wrestling
- Mustlasemaadlus
- Naga Wrestling
- Naginata-do
- Orkhon-Yenisey Wrestling
- Paintball
- Pehlivan Wrestling
- Pelivanski Borby
- Pencak Silat
- Pradal Serey
- Probar A Juntar
- Ringtapaini
- Rutzen
- Ryssankasti
- Silat
- Sambo
- Savate
- Schwingen
- Scots Style Wrestling
- Shnei-Taido
- Shuai Jiao
- Siddebde Hanekamp
- S’istrumpa
- Skiamachia
- Skindtraekning
- Slengjetag
- Ssirum
- Sumo
- Sviptimgar
- Swiss Wrestling
- Tadzhik Wrestling
- Taekwondo
- Tae-Kyon
- Tai Chi Chuan
- Taido
- Taijiquan
- Taijutsu
- Tang Soo Do (tangsudo)
- Tendo-Ryu
- Thai Boxing
- Thang-Ta
- Tomiki
- Turkish Wrestling
- Ural Wrestling
- Varzesh-E Pehlivani
- Wrestling
- Whatoto
- Whawhai Mekemeke
- Wushu
- Xingyiquan
- Yakute Wrestling
- Yaurian Wrestling
- Yi Wrestling
- Yosei-Kan
- Yoshin-Kan
- Wado Ryu
Top Combat Sports with Interesting Facts
- MMA MMA, or Mixed Martial Arts, is a comprehensive combat sport that incorporates techniques from various fighting styles around the world, focusing on striking, wrestling, and ground fighting. Contests take place within a fenced enclosure, often referred to as cage fighting.
- Wrestling Wrestling involves a physical contest between two opponents seeking dominance over each other. Matches involve the use of techniques such as clinch fighting, throws, takedowns, locks, and pins.
- Fencing Fencing is one of three related combat sports, with foil, sabre, and épée as the primary specializations. Each style employs a distinct weapon and has its own set of rules.
- Muay Thai Muay Thai emphasizes a range of striking and clinching techniques, utilizing fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Referred to as the “art of eight limbs,” its origins can be traced back to Indian martial arts traditions.
- Taekwondo Taekwondo sets itself apart with head kicks, spinning jump kicks, and rapid kicking techniques. Tournaments reward points for strikes incorporating spinning attacks or kicks to the face.
- Sumo Sumo is a form of competitive grappling where wrestlers seek to force their opponents out of a ring or to the ground using only their hands and feet.
- Jiu Jitsu Jiu Jitsu emphasizes grappling, groundwork, and submission techniques, focusing on controlling opponents through physical restraint and joint locks.
- Boxing Boxing, one of the oldest known sports, remains a popular and lucrative activity. The sport has embedded itself in everyday language, with phrases like “below the belt” used figuratively.
- Karate Karate, originating in Japan, is a widely recognized martial art with a global following. It emphasizes fast strikes such as punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, and it incorporates self-defense and restraint techniques.
- Martial Arts MMA traces its roots back to ancient Greek culture, incorporating elements from various martial arts styles. Its modern version has gained immense popularity, with many enthusiasts believing it will surpass boxing in prominence in the future.
