Buzz
Since the dawn of existence, conflict has been an inescapable aspect of life. Animals have perpetually struggled for sustenance and survival, while humans have engaged in wars for countless reasons since the emergence of our species. Territorial disputes, political ambitions, religious differences, and other motivations have ingrained violence into our very nature. So deeply rooted is this instinct that we have even turned it into a form of entertainment, crafting games to satisfy our primal thirst for combat.
Here are some of the ways we indulge our primal urges. While some of these practices have ancient origins, they are all actively pursued today. For those with a taste for the extreme, we present the ten most savage modern combat sports.
10. Catch Wrestling
Catch wrestling, for those unfamiliar, is essentially a hybrid grappling style that incorporates techniques from wrestling, judo, and jujutsu. It emphasizes both pins and submissions, prioritizing the raw strength of wrestling over the refined, technique-driven approaches of judo and jujutsu (both of which translate roughly to 'gentle way,' highlighting their focus on skill rather than brute force).
A distinctive feature of catch wrestling is its best-of-three system for determining victory, where individual wins are called 'downs.' This structure essentially requires competitors to engage in three separate submission grappling matches instead of a single decisive bout.
While catch wrestling lacks the risk of concussive or blunt-force injuries, the slams and submission holds pose significant dangers if not performed with precision (and even then, risks remain). Combined with the 'downs' system for securing victory, these factors earn catch wrestling its place on this list as a representative of grappling arts.
9. Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Bare-knuckle boxing has recently made a comeback in the US. This modern version, known as the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), features a rounded, four-rope 'squared circle' but otherwise retains the brutal nature of the sport that was outlawed in 1889, complete with Broughton rules.
The immediate risks in boxing are quite evident, encompassing injuries to the skull, eyes, ribs, and hands. (Fractured hands are a frequent issue for fighters, a risk that becomes even more pronounced in bare-knuckle scenarios.) However, the most severe long-term threat is the cumulative brain damage caused by repeated head trauma, which can result in conditions like brain damage, 'punch-drunk syndrome,' and an increased likelihood of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s in later years.
8. Sambo
Russia is known for its harsh and unyielding environment, and its combat sports reflect this toughness. Sambo is not only a competitive sport but also a military combat system, with distinct training methods for its various forms (military, sport, self-defense, freestyle, and specialized). The term 'Sambo' is a Russian acronym for 'self-defense without weapons,' and it serves as the official combat system of Russia. It is widely practiced by soldiers, police officers, athletes, civilians, and, humorously, even imagined bears on unicycles.
Sambo was developed in the early 20th century by a group of Russian martial artists who blended the most effective techniques from various fighting disciplines. Vasili Oshchepkov, a karate and wrestling expert and one of the few non-Japanese individuals to earn a second-degree black belt from Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo), collaborated with Victor Spiridonov, a grappling specialist who emphasized technique and force redirection due to a bayonet injury that left his left arm impaired. Together, they created a new hand-to-hand combat system, integrating their unique expertise. They later joined forces with Vseobuch, the Red Army’s combat training program under Vladimir Lenin, and worked with Anatoly Kharlampiev and I.V. Vasiliev, both experts in global martial arts and Vseobuch leaders, to finalize the Sambo system.
While headgear and gloves offer some protection against the cumulative brain damage seen in striking sports like bare-knuckle boxing, the heightened risk of immediate injuries from kicks, knees, elbows, judo throws, and submission holds secures Sambo’s position on this list.
7. Muay Thai
Muay Thai, an intensely aggressive form of kickboxing, traces its roots to Thailand. It developed from Muay Boran, an older martial art with military applications. As conflicts with neighboring countries diminished, its focus shifted from warfare to competitive combat, giving rise to Muay Thai. While it has long been a cherished tradition in Thailand, it gained global recognition in the 1970s and 1980s as Muay Thai fighters consistently outperformed practitioners of other kickboxing styles.
Often referred to as 'the art of eight limbs,' Muay Thai earns this moniker from its incorporation of elbows and knees alongside traditional punches and kicks. (Historically, headbutts were permitted, but they have since been prohibited.) The sport also features the 'Thai Clinch,' a technique where a fighter locks their hands behind an opponent’s head to control their movement and unleash a barrage of knees to the face, sometimes culminating in a takedown.
The inclusion of elbows and knees makes Southeast Asian kickboxing styles, including Muay Thai, particularly brutal compared to other forms of kickboxing. While similar regional styles like Kun Khmer and Pradal Serey could also qualify for this list, Muay Thai, being the most widely recognized, has been selected to represent this category.
6. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is precisely what its name suggests: a combat sport where practitioners of diverse fighting disciplines compete under a unified set of rules. The minimal restrictions and broad allowances make it one of the most savage sports on Earth. Imagine blending the striking techniques of Muay Thai with the grappling of catch wrestling, and you’ll grasp the inherent dangers. Unlike traditional wrestling, MMA doesn’t allow pins; victories in grappling are achieved through submission holds or the notoriously vicious 'ground-and-pound,' where fighters unleash punches and elbows—often targeting the head—on a downed opponent. It’s as devastating as it is brutal.
While some techniques are prohibited, such as kicks or knees to a grounded opponent’s head, downward elbow strikes, groin attacks, and unsportsmanlike conduct like biting or eye-gouging, nearly everything else is permitted. This near-limitless freedom defines the sport’s raw intensity.
5. Historic Medieval Battle (HMB)
The term 'medieval' might suggest this isn’t a modern sport, but it’s actually a contemporary competition designed to replicate medieval combat for today’s athletes. Participants wear full armor and wield steel weapons, striving to mimic the ferocity of medieval warfare without fatal consequences. While the armor might seem to reduce the brutality, the use of axes and maces ensures it remains fiercely intense. Picture a fighter pinned against a barrier by two opponents while another relentlessly strikes their helmet with an ax—it’s a spectacle unlike any other.
One redeeming aspect of HMB is its relatively lenient elimination rules—falling to the ground means you’re out. Matches are decided by last-man-standing rules, with teams ranging from five to 21 fighters. Additionally, there are one-on-one duels, which, while less chaotic, still adhere to traditional dueling rules and maintain a high level of intensity.
4. Medieval MMA
As the name suggests, this sport is essentially MMA with a medieval twist. Fighters enter the ring clad in medieval equipment, similar to what’s worn in HMB. While many elements resemble a one-on-one HMB match, there’s a key difference: being knocked down doesn’t end the fight. Victory is achieved through knockouts or submissions, much like traditional MMA, but with the added intensity of weapons. The sheer brutality of this sport is exemplified by Rustam Kukurhoev’s knockout of Vitaly Kravchenko, where Kravchenko was taken down and struck repeatedly with the edge of a shield. (You can watch it above.)
Initially introduced as a novelty to separate undercard and main card matches at an M1 MMA event, the concept proved so popular that it has evolved into standalone medieval combat events.
3. Lethwei
While Muay Thai represents Southeast Asian boxing, Lethwei stands apart for its unique and brutal characteristics. Known as 'bare-knuckle' boxing (though handwraps are used), Lethwei is often called 'the art of nine limbs,' as it’s the only combat sport that still permits headbutts. However, these features pale in comparison to its most defining trait: its approach to knockouts, which cements its place as one of the most savage sports in existence.
In Lethwei, if a fighter is knocked out (unable to respond to an eight-count), the fight doesn’t end. Instead, the unconscious fighter is taken to their corner, revived with smelling salts, and given the choice to continue. The match only concludes if a fighter refuses to go on or when time runs out, with the winner being the one who scored more knockouts. If knockouts are equal or nonexistent, the fight is declared a draw. This sport operates under some of the most extreme rules in combat sports, where a knockout in other disciplines merely counts as a single point. It’s remarkable that participants endure such brutality, and even more so that it’s legal and growing in popularity.
Humanity’s fascination with violence has persisted for centuries, and the popularity of the sports on this list suggests it’s not fading anytime soon. While we no longer sanction gladiator battles to the death, some of these modern combatants come perilously close to that level of intensity.
2. Calcio Storico
Calcio Storico, often dubbed 'the most violent sport on Earth,' traces its origins to a Roman game called harpastum, designed to keep legionnaires battle-ready. While it shares roots with modern soccer, it also resembles American football and rugby. Players carry the ball like in rugby or football and aim to throw it into one of several goals on the opponent’s side of the field.
What sets Calcio Storico apart as a combat sport is its allowance of martial arts techniques, with far fewer regulations and protections than traditional martial arts. Participants wear no protective gear, and the rules are minimal: no attacking from behind, no ganging up, and no striking a downed opponent. That’s it. The absence of protective equipment and the ferocity of play result in a staggering 50% injury rate, solidifying its reputation as the world’s most violent sport.
It’s worth noting that competing in this sport is purely an act of passion, as participants don’t receive any payment for their efforts.
1. Eskrima
Completing the weapons-based section is Eskrima, the national martial art and sport of the Philippines, also referred to as Kali or Arnis. While some argue these are distinct styles with unique focuses, they all fall under the umbrella of FMA, or Filipino martial arts, and are often used interchangeably.
During the Spanish colonial period (1521–1898), the art was initially admired but later banned by 1596 and completely outlawed by 1764 due to its perceived danger. The Spanish sought to eradicate FMA, along with much of Filipino culture, but the locals preserved their traditions in secret, embedding FMA techniques into traditional dances.
Unlike many martial arts that prioritize unarmed combat before introducing weapons, FMA places weapons at the forefront. It focuses on readily available tools like sticks, knives, machetes, chains, and even guns, with unarmed techniques serving as a secondary component of the system.
In sport Eskrima, the most recognized format involves single- or double-stick combat. Professional FMA organizations typically use extensive padding to minimize serious injuries, making the sport considerably less dangerous. However, the version that earns FMA a spot on this list is the unarmored variant. It’s not unusual for practitioners to participate in semi-organized matches where they strike each other with wooden sticks, often with little to no protection beyond their hands. The unofficial nature of these contests adds to their inherent risk.
Observing these matches, it’s evident that this form of Eskrima leans more toward combat than sport, and it’s exceptionally savage. While not governed by an official league, there are numerous organized events for unarmored FMA. Although other martial arts may include occasional unarmored weapons practice, these lack the widespread organization needed to be considered a distinct sport, unlike unarmored FMA.
