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 Dubai and was founded by Robert Bryan. Karate Combat is owned by the Sensei Foundation, a Cayman Islands Foundation Company and its affiliates. 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 to the new generation of sports fans.
Contestants compete in a seasonal championship in which the winner is awarded a golden belt. They consist of karateka from various styles of karate like Kyokushin, Shotokan, Shità Â-ryà «, and Wadà Â-ryà «. Contestants from other martial arts disciplines like Kenpà Â, Taekwondo, Wushu, and Tang Soo Do have also participated. The contestants are expected to abide by karate-do etiquette and specific tournament rules.
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. Marketing and promotion include appearances of Bas Rutten, Georges St-Pierre, Lyoto Machida and Stephen Thompson, who have all served as league ambassadors, as well as Danny Trejo and Hafþór JúlÃÂus Björnsson.
In 2020, rights to Karate Combat have been acquired by beIN SPORTS. The media group broadcasts the Karate Combat seasons in 37 countries.
Fighting takes place in a 6,5m x 6,5m (21'4" x 21'4") square combat pit surrounded by 45ð 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.
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.
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.
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.
The organization was additionally subject to legal action from vendors. Multiple lawsuits were filed against ITP Productions LLC, the entity operating Karate Combat, seeking payment for unpaid invoices totaling hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars related to event production services.
Operational issues were also reported during events, including delays attributed to staff refusing to work due to outstanding payments.
Concerns regarding the promotionâÂÂs cryptocurrency operations further contributed to the controversy. Allegations emerged that large quantities of the organizationâÂÂs proprietary $KARATE tokens had been sold by leadership during a period of financial strain, which coincided with a decline in the tokenâÂÂs value and criticism from community members.
The situation led to broader questions about the organizationâÂÂs financial viability, with some reports suggesting the possibility of regulatory consequences, including potential license suspension following event-related issues.