Karate Combat

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. Weight divisions and classifications ==Pit Submission Series==

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." The first fight under the Pit Submission Series took place on January 26, 2024. == Current championships ==

Heavyweight Championship ::Weight limit: None Middleweight Championship ::Weight limit: 185lb Welterweight Championship ::Weight limit: 170lb Lightweight Championship ::Weight limit: 155lb Featherweight Championship ::Weight limit: 145lb Bantamweight Championship ::Weight limit: 135lb Women's Bantamweight Championship ::Weight limit: 135lb Women's Flyweight Championship ::Weight limit: 125lb Women's Strawweight Championship ::Weight limit: 115lb ==Karate Combat records==

Overview Karate Combat events feature male and female karateka from a roster of over 100 professional fighters. The first five events were held in front of an invite-only audience. Later events incorporate CGI effects and original music in order to achieve a modern appearance and appeal to a younger demographic. Event locations favor optimal camera angles and cinematic scenery over a big live-audience. Thus locations like the 102nd floor of the One World Trade Center were chosen hosting a selected audience with black-tie dress code. The events attracted the notice of American television and newspaper. Recordings of all events can be accessed for free via the official website. Past events have also been streamed via UFC Fight Pass. Seasons Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 KC35 KC36 KC37 KC38 KC39 KC40 KC41 KC42 KC43 KC Kickback 1 KC44 KC Kickback 2 KC45 KC46 KC47 KC48 ==Controversy==

In late 2025, Karate Combat faced multiple allegations related to financial instability, including claims of unpaid fighters, staff, and vendors. Reports indicated that several athletes publicly stated they had not received contracted purses for months, with some alleging they were only paid after raising concerns publicly. Production crews, employees, and affiliated gyms also reported delayed or missing payments, with some workers claiming they had gone unpaid for extended periods. Concerns regarding the promotion’s cryptocurrency operations further contributed to the controversy. Allegations emerged that large quantities of the organization’s proprietary $KARATE tokens had been sold by leadership during a period of financial strain, which coincided with a decline in the token’s value and criticism from community members. The situation led to broader questions about the organization’s financial viability, with some reports suggesting the possibility of regulatory consequences, including potential license suspension following event-related issues. ==See also==