Some of the most popular combat sports in the world originate from Asia. Many countries on the continent have long traditions in combat sports and have developed them throughout the years. These combat sports have been used as basic to create new martial arts trends in other countries, too.
Without a doubt, Asia is where the rise of combat sports began before it spread throughout the world. Different martial arts have their own history and fascinating origins. Some have evolved a lot before becoming what they are today, while others have managed to keep their originality.
As a whole, combat sports in Asia have gone through various stages and have shaped the cultures of many countries. Read further to find out more about the rise of combat sports in Asia.
The Rise of Combat Sports in Asia
Nowadays, combat sports are extremely popular not only in Asia but around the globe. They are even featured on the sites for sports betting in the Phillippines, accessible to players who want to place wagers on their favorite fighters.
But before they became so popular, combat sports underwent vast changes. They have left the grey area to become official events in many arenas. The transition has been long, but luckily, nowadays, combat sports events have been legalized in many jurisdictions.
History of Combat Sports in Asia
Asian culture has always been rich, and combat sports have always been part of it. We have all heard about the different martial arts in China and Thailand and the samurai traditions in Japan.
Different evidence for forms of martial arts in China dates back to ancient times, approximately 4000 BCE. Over the years, forms of martial arts evolved and spread throughout the continent, and each region started to develop its specific unique styles and techniques.
However, these traditional forms have gained stronger popularity with the rise of mixed martial arts in recent years. One of the organizations that brought Asian combat sports to the world stage was One Championship from Singapore.
The Transition from Underground to Mainstream
Years ago, combat sports events in Asia were popular across underground circles, and many illegal fights used to take place to amuse the public. However, such events were held in isolated locations in front of a smaller audience.
However, it was not until MMA events started to gain popularity that combat sports began to emerge into the mainstream. Competitions such as the UFC and One Championship started to gain significant media focus, showcasing local and international fighters with particular combat skills.
All this significantly helped professionalize the different types of combat sports, making them more popular than ever. Since then, the interest in combat sports has never faded. Of course, the evolution of mass media and the platforms for online streaming had a crucial role in the popularization of the different combat sports competitions and championships.
The Most Popular Combat Sports in Asia
There are many different types of combat sports that originate from Asia, but a few have managed to become extremely popular and beloved by many throughout the years.
- Kickboxing and Muay Thai – Among martial arts, Muay Thai is known to be the “Art of Eight Limbs”. This is because those who practice it use their fists, elbows, and knees. This is one of the most celebrated combat sports in Asia, particularly in Thailand. Kickboxing, on the other hand, is similar, but no elbows or knees are allowed.
- Karate, Judo, and Other Traditional Disciplines – Judo and Karate are traditional types of martial arts in Asia and have been popular in the global sports arena, especially after they have been included in the Olympics. Of course, Asian fighters continue to dominate in these disciplines, but many people around the world tend to be extremely interested in these sports.
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – They have quickly become extremely popular in recent years mainly because they combine techniques from different disciplines, and the rules allow an even bigger spectacle. The audience can see skilled fighters using various techniques like striking, grappling, submission, wrestling, and more. Currently, the popularity of MMA fights is particularly strong in countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Conclusion
What is obvious is that the popularity of combat sports in Asia and around the globe continues to grow, with new competitions emerging and new fighters winning the hearts of fans. With its tradition and rich history in martial arts, Asia will remain the center of the combat sports industry.
